MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[Cocijo]

Probably as less oil in it, spoke to my dealer the other day & he reckoned there's no new breather being fitted at the factory, just less oil added. Any found with leaks then they apply for the retrofit breather. Same goes with the undertray, he's not heard of a new one. This is his view so if that's correct I couldn't say. Also as I've previously mentioned, I still thing it's a heat warpage issue, may be some vehicles on the ships are over heat vents. This may account for some being flat if not over said vents.

What your dealer has told you makes little sense. If reducing the amount of oil fixes the issue, why fit a modified breather? I think many dealers just make stuff up. The real root cause of this issue is still not clear.

 

[Auto Surgeon]

What your dealer has told you makes little sense. If reducing the amount of oil fixes the issue, why fit a modified breather? I think many dealers just make stuff up. The real root cause of this issue is still not clear.

I know, they certainly avoid the questions & aren't being transparent. You would of thought you were buying a sketchy used car

 

[Buster72]

Yes it's a bit of hose couple of bends, breather valve on end and a metal bracket

Thank you for this.

 

[Eber]

I know some people will disagree that the oil leak and undertray are minor, but as far as I can see they are: neither affects the car's performance or drivability.

I absolutely disagree. If I want oil on my driveway I could have bought a MG from the Sixties. It wouldn‘t even pass an MOT in the state of delivery. You have to be extremely nervy or ignorant to make this your customers‘ problem.

 

[wiz043]

Probably as less oil in it, spoke to my dealer the other day & he reckoned there's no new breather being fitted at the factory, just less oil added. Any found with leaks then they apply for the retrofit breather. Same goes with the undertray, he's not heard of a new one. This is his view so if that's correct I couldn't say. Also as I've previously mentioned, I still thing it's a heat warpage issue, may be some vehicles on the ships are over heat vents. This may account for some being flat if not over said vents.

I doubt the dealer knows what he is talking about and is just trying to act knowledgeable. I any case if he is correct it is certainly an unsatisfactory attitude by MG.
As far as the reason for undertray warpage goes MG's are not the only vehicle delivered by ship. There are thousands of other brand cars with undertrays delivered by ship that do not seem to have a warpage issue.
I still think it comes down to quality control.

 

[Leni16]

The tray is nothing to do with ships or heat, we all know the bloody holes don't line up with the bolts and they e had to force them on.

 

[Xiao Wazi]

The tray is nothing to do with ships or heat, we all know the bloody holes don't line up with the bolts and they e had to force them on.

That'll be the good old Chinese mentality of "it's not my problem, someone else will have to deal with it!".

 

[stevegus]

That's why I'm going to wait a couple of months and see how you guys get on with your current cars, and any new posts about new cars still with issues.
I have had a quote (salary sacrifice through work) but I don't know what the delivery time is from ordering.

I'm definitely going to hold off for a couple of months, I'm in no rush to change cars.

Current delivery time is 4+ months.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

He also said it will be fully updated before it gets released.

Did you ask if it will come with the new breather, or will you be expected to return to have it checked and photographed, then return a second time to have it fitted when it does?

 

[Smendon]

Did you ask if it will come with the new breather, or will you be expected to return to have it checked and photographed, then return a second time to have it fitted when it does?

I asked and this was his response:

‘The oil leak issue as far as we are aware has been resolved with all new orders before they are delivered to us.’

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

I asked and this was his response:

‘The oil leak issue as far as we are aware has been resolved with all new orders before they are delivered to us.’

Yeah, that's what they told me too. They are very careful in not saying exactly how the matter has been resolved but when pushed it seems their 'solution' is just to put a bit less oil in and swap breather only if owners complain. Problem is that likely means that you get a soiled driveway and have to make 2 additional trips to the dealer.

 

[DevonMG4]

Status update, late October car, leaked spotted about 700 miles, Z shaped breather fitted mid November. Car now just under 3,000, I've checked and had the dealer confirm when it had its lock in recall update yesterday - no oil leak. I'm happy this one is for the history books for me anyway.

 

[maverickz]

A month after dealer fit the new breather, today confirm it still leaking.

 

[Leni16]

Did anyone else that has had this happen have the reason confirmed, for example error in fitting or is it the breather just not working as it should, due to style/type of driving, or the fact that as has been said it's more of a temp fix (bit of hose botched together) and the breather actually needs a proper redesign.

 

[Alb]

Assuming the leak was actually from the breather, it could be that the connection to the gearbox was not properly sealed when it was installed. It's also possible that the oil level in the gearbox may be too high.

 

[Leni16]

Member states a month from it being fitted, not sure how often it has been checked, my initial though was an error in fitting or it working itself loose (slightly) therefore the oil coming out the join.
I do recall a couple of other members saying their cars were leaking again but can't remember any update as to the potential cause/reason

 

[maverickz]

Member states a month from it being fitted, not sure how often it has been checked, my initial though was an error in fitting or it working itself loose (slightly) therefore the oil coming out the join.
I do recall a couple of other members saying their cars were leaking again but can't remember any update as to the potential cause/reason

Since we picked the car on 23rd Dec after the leaking fix, I have been keeping eyes on the driveway to check oil leaking every 2-3 days. But due to the weather and wet driveway (plus we were away from home last week), I can't confirm when the leaking started again. Only confirmed yesterday when the driveway is dry and I can clearly see fresh oil on the driveway.

only 450miles on the clock now, it was about 200 miles when the leaking was fixed.

 

[Leni16]

Not good and would be interested to hear what your dealers thinks the issue is

 

[wiz043]

I will be following this thread closely re oil leak issues and software disabling quirks as the MG4 is due in Australia within a few months and if there are still issues I can almost guarantee dealers here will deny knowledge of it.
That will be the deal breaker regarding my prospective purchase as I am not going down the track of possibly dealing with a faulty brand new vehicle as many others here have had to do sadly.
These cars started rolling out in China last June so it will be nearly 12 months from then that they will be arriving in Oz so plenty of time to sort out so called 'teething' problems with oil leak and software issues in my view.

 

[Rip Van]

Is there anyone on here who's bought an MG4 from Dickson's in Inverness, that has discovered the oil leak and how it's been dealt with?

I was emailed by the them on Jan 12th saying they would have an update on delivery the following week but I've heard nothing since. I've dealt with them on a number of occasions over the years and up 'til now they've been good.