I would like to share with you all the details of a problem that occurred on an Epsom Club members MGF during our recent Autumn Leaves run.
His car is a 1997 MGF, which has covered 96,000 miles, is in regular daily use and has been serviced by a local MG Rover dealership (Acquired by MoTest upon the demise of MGR, but retained the technicians and records). The head gasket was replaced at 50,000 miles as a preventative measure.
After driving 50 miles to the start of the run, the low oil pressure light started to “flicker”, the oil level was immediately checked and found to be ok. The light stayed off when the car was restarted and only flickered intermittently during the 35 mile run. On arrival at the Pub finish, the light was again only flickering, but the engine was now making weird wheezing noises deep down inside, reminiscent of a starved oil pump and a clattering from the top, just like noisy tappets ( cam followers starved of oil??)
The F was trailered home and then taken to the local garage. They tried for many days to replicate the problem without success, checked the oil pressure and the switch and both were found to be correct, they decided to drain the hot oil after a test run and it barely dribbled out! So, sump off and the full extent of the problem was discovered.
There was a considerable amount of thick black sludge in the bottom of the sump, which almost completely blocking the drain hole, but was also blocking the oil pick up and strainer. This tar like sludge was so thick when cold that it would not pour out of an inverted cup.
Everything was thoroughly cleaned and refitted, the oil system flushed, a new MGR filter fitted and the engine refilled with semi-synthetic oil. All appears to be ok, I have asked the owner to join the T Bar and to keep us informed of progress with his 13 year old MGF.
I read about a similar problem many years ago on Ford Fleet cars when many engines were prematurely becoming gummed up with a soft black gooey deposit which Ford decided was the “combustion fall out” from a combination of unleaded fuel , semi-synthetic oils and high mileages.
Although modern synthetic and semi-synthetic oils contain detergents, I personally think that there is great merit in using a “flushing” additive at every oil change and to only use the correct branded oil, such as Castrol, Mobil, Esso etc and not a cheapo!