julianfoulger

What you say is true for some items but not all. My own experience recently (not from Rimmers); water shedder for the LH door - the plastic collapsed in my hand before fitting and I have had to fit several shedders to my MGF over the last 25 years (they are sticky on the back so care is needed to ensure that it does not glue to itself). Made in China......

Delbourt - I assume the country of manufacture is shown on the box/item you bought? If so, what does it say? Date of manufacture will also tell us much.

Delbourt wrote:

Yesterday, I cut a piece of thin Aluminium sheet and bonded that with Araldite to the outer side of the casing bits.
Always a bit of an unknown trying to stick something to plastics but it does seem to have stuck.
I don’t expect it to last for years so I now have a spare on order from ebay. It can’t be any worse. It is my intention to return the new one with a complaint.

Quite right. A bodge is not the way to go and it will mean that suppliers care even less about getting quality right.

The US appear to be a nightmare to keep cars on the road that are more than 10 years old - unavailability of new parts, parts not to spec (including parts made by a certain expensive Italian car brand that are far from original spec)..... Old new stock is the best way to go (if available).

Another example of poor quality manufacturing (like the member in Spain with the new expansion bottle recently..)?

It should not be bent like this. Hearing more examples now of this lax attitude to quality. Return it to the supplier.

Watch this which takes you through the lot. I recall 13 parts so a long watch:

In Switzerland, with Mems3, no need to have an omissions test (as fully OBD3 compliant, With Mems 1.9 or 2J requirement to have a gas test every two years). However, I suspect the Swiss will still require a test but may even not allow one to change the ECU to Mems3 (even though an upgrade).

In the UK what are the rules now?

Delbourt wrote:

Thank you for the various replies. I note in particular the comment regarding different operating systems for phones and desk tops/laptops.

I have Pscan on my Windows laptop which is great.

I have downloaded an app called Rovermems ( https://rovermems.com/ ) that operates on android phones (not windows/Mac/Linux). I am awaiting for the lead to connect from my phone to the OBDS connection to try it out. On the 2J mems, it only appears to read 5 or so sensor outputs (on the 1.6 and 1.9 MEMS, many more sensors are read).

For MEMS 1.6 / 1.9 ECU the android solution is here - https://memsdiag.blogspot.com/ and looks even more comprehensive.

MGmikey wrote:

Hi.
I wonder if anyone knows the answer.
I have a very annoying intermittent fault. Every so often, the sound goes on the stereo. Stays lit but just no sound. When you turn the engine off and you are meant to get the audible tones, they don't sound either. I've changed the stereo thinking that was at fault, plus the wiring loom at the back of the stereo.
Still a problem. Any ideas as this has got me baffled.

Sounds like a problem with the two black connectors behind the front dash (loose connection). Easy to get to, either from the left side or by taking the head unit out.

BruceTF135 wrote:

julianfoulger wrote:

BruceTF135 wrote:

I have drained the system and replaced the PRT thermostat on my TF and that was awkward enough. Replacing the whole lot sounds like a labour of love.

Easy except for the heater hoses in the tunnel and to the heater which I passed on when I replaced all my hoses in 2006/7.

Yes, those ones in particular are the ones I was thinking of.

I thought so! My argument is that the heater hoses are not subject to the extreme engine heat, UV light and not used all year round (ie heater off). I will replace them if and when the heater core packs up. After 25 years, the heater hoses look as good as new (on the outside at least).

Regarding 'Waterless coolant', it appears to be more popular in the US (Jay Leno I think uses it in his cars) than in Europe. More costly than OAT and make sure anyone working on your car knows NOT to add water. I have never used it, mainly because of a deep mistrust over the MGF's coolant system

BruceTF135 wrote:

I have drained the system and replaced the PRT thermostat on my TF and that was awkward enough. Replacing the whole lot sounds like a labour of love.

Easy except for the heater hoses in the tunnel and to the heater which I passed on when I replaced all my hoses in 2006/7.

I bought one when they first came out early 2000s. Had it for 20-odd years. Reliable and after many years finally sorted out the 'bendy' arms.

Worth the £1,000 I paid at the time. No! I must have been mad......