MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[Alb]

TBH if the gearbox goes bang its MGs problem, not mine.

The cost of fixing it is theirs but all the inconvenience is entirely yours.

 

[Fogey]

Also, you wouldn't want it to seize at speed. Possible (remote) safety issue?

 

[K9pete]

Supposed to collect my car on Monday, messaged dealer today and he is still saying "what oil leak"

 

[Deleted member 9692]

Does this include vehicles;

• that have had leaks, had the levels adjusted and now appear ok ?
• had a leak that stopped after a bit of use ?
• yet to show signs of a leak ?

I’m a bit baffled why one UK spec MG4 should be any different to another in regard to the breather other than perhaps the type/amount of use its getting.

You would have to direct these questions to MG technical via your dealer. I’m just repeating what I have been told and what I have seen. I always thought the reduced fill was a stop gap that would only mask the issue. I also think many owners who think their car was fixed with the reduced fill are naive if they think that solved the problem, no disrespect intended to anyone. My gut tells me that there will be a recall on this, they just don’t have the balls or the integrity to do it yet. My personal opinion only.

 

[Deleted member 9692]

The cost of fixing it is theirs but all the inconvenience is entirely yours.

You only live once Alb. What am I gonna do, walk? ?

 

[Les burrows]

This is getting more and more daft for me the specifications state 0.9L then about a week or so ago I read drain and refill with 0.85L and next came 0.80L and now today 0.7LUpdate - I have spoken to my dealer today. He told me that the dealer bulletin states that the new part should be available by second week in November. He told me that MG say the cars are “safe to drive in the meantime and should be filled with 0.7l does this gearbox no longer need the amount specified any longer what the hell is longbridge doing
Les.

 

[Les burrows]

I have just this moment received a reply from [email address redacted], Customer "Service" Coordinator at MG Motors UK. His reply to my email was unhelpful, defensive, inaccurate. The thing that I was most surprised about was that he said I should have been told by my dealer that my car was safe to drive from the outset while waiting for a fix. When I pushed him on this saying I was concerned re damage, he said that all dealers had been told to advise owners to not drive over 50 mph until fix found. I suspect this is BS, anyone heard that before?

The guy you got your reply from Gary Smart he the chap I had dealings with 18 months ago over the MG5 roof rail issue, told me several times that nothing was going to be done and no changes would be made and that I should have asked if I could use the rails before I bought the vehicle, I said well we will see about that Mr Smart. I think we all know the outcome on that one. Y
He doe as you said talk BS.
Les

 

[Deleted member 9692]

This is getting more and more daft for me the specifications state 0.9L then about a week or so ago I read drain and refill with 0.85L and next came 0.80L and now today 0.7LUpdate - I have spoken to my dealer today. He told me that the dealer bulletin states that the new part should be available by second week in November. He told me that MG say the cars are “safe to drive in the meantime and should be filled with 0.7l does this gearbox no longer need the amount specified any longer what the hell is longbridge doing

Les, it seems clear it’s a “fudge” - reduce the oil to see if that stops it until we find the real fix.

 

[Deleted member 9692]

The guy you got your reply from Gary Smart he the chap I had dealings with 18 months ago over the MG5 roof rail issue, told me several times that nothing was going to be done and no changes would be made and that I should have asked if I could use the rails before I bought the vehicle, I said well we will see about Mr Smart. I think we all know the outcome on that one. Y
He doe as you said talk BS.
Les

He’s stopped communicating with me now, it was laughable anyway. I accidentally copied him on an email chain to head of service where I may have referred to him as a “bit of a tool” and I’ve heard nothing since. I’m sure he’ll have a sign on his desk saying “We do not accept abusive behaviour” to exempt him from dealing with angry customers like me.

 

[thejaybeeok]

I’m watching this discussion with interest as I have an MG4 on order.

I assume MG have reduced the oil from 0.9l to 0.7l in order to reduce pressure. I wonder if the powertrain has been recertification tested with 0.7l of oil? Given the speed restriction I assume not.

 

[Lovemyev]

It could be an unfortunate surname name ( Smart ) to have to live up to I guess !.

 

[Les burrows]

I’m watching this discussion with interest as I have an MG4 on order.

I assume MG have reduced the oil from 0.9l to 0.7l in order to reduce pressure. I wonder if the powertrain has been recertification tested with 0.7l of oil? Given the speed restriction I assume not.

Let’s do and hope I think is what it’s called
Les.

 

[Les burrows]

He’s stopped communicating with me now, it was laughable anyway. I accidentally copied him on an email chain to head of service where I may have referred to him as a “bit of a tool” and I’ve heard nothing since. I’m sure he’ll have a sign on his desk saying “We do not accept abusive behaviour” to exempt him from dealing with angry customers like me.

Did the very same with me once I took the issue to the government body.
Les

 

[Taq]

My dealer has a bulletin re new breather with projected delivery date but there was nothing on it about a 50mph speed restriction. It’s just in having the motor re checked but ive seen no sign on oil on the bottom and we put another 500miles on it this weekend, several hundred of that on the motorways.

Update: the motor / gear mechanism was clean again when checked.

 

[SueH]

I'm at the dealer right now. I bought in some posts from here including #725 which summarised the issue and #740 with Mr Smart's Email.. The guy here agreed it wasn't well written..

The issue has been referred to the service department and I've just been told I can drive it and they are doing an oil change whilst I wait. Just as well as I needed transport this Sunday as I pointed out firmly.

Longer term they need to get the new assemblies but I'm happy to be mobile in the meantime.

 

[AndyM]

I'm at the dealer right now. I bought in some posts from here including #725 which summarised the issue and #740 with Mr Smart's Email.. The guy here agreed it wasn't well written..

The issue has been referred to the service department and I've just been told I can drive it and they are doing an oil change whilst I wait. Just as well as I needed transport this Sunday as I pointed out firmly.

Longer term they need to get the new assemblies but I'm happy to be mobile in the meantime.

That's what my dealer did, refilled while I waited and told me it was OK to drive. I'm still keeping mileage to a minimum though until we have more clarity.

 

[Steve Chope]

Hi all
have just emailed Gary Smart as below myself re oil leak issue and warped /ill fitting undertrays. Await his reply. I have been extremely polite so will see if that helps?

Hi Gary

You were kind enough to respond to my first email about the MG4 oil leak. Hopefully you will be able to do the same this time.

I have been avidly following all the You Tube channels, Facebook Pages and Owners forums to keep abreast of any developments regarding the oil leak and warped/ill fitting undertray issues.

I have picked up on a statement that MG have now issued dealers with a ‘fix’ for the oil leak. Would you be kind enough to explain what MG now think the problem is and exactly what the ‘fix’ entails. Also there appears to be another statement re replacement undertrays coming from SAIC to replace the buckled ones.

I am still hoping not to have to cancel my order but if a satisfactory fix, recognised as totally successful, is not found by the end of this year then I will.

I would be grateful any any information you have regarding these issues.

Thank you in anticipation

Regards

 

[tsedge]

Ok, so please be aware that I'm not disagreeing with @tsedge , but "breathers" exist for a number of different reasons and work in different ways accordingly.
Traditional ICE have breathers to allow the combustion gases that get past the piston rings to escape, and to avoid the build up of liquids such as water in the oil in the crankcase. Clearly that's not the issue with an EV gearbox.
Other requirements for breathers are to allow for expansion of the air in the gearbox and motor to avoid pressurising the system and encouraging leaks around seals, particularly into the system as everything cools.
If there's much gas flow there becomes an issue of separating out any oil mist within the air which is generally not simple.
It's not clear what the current issue is. Is the current assembly "sealed for life" as per most modern gearboxes, or does it already have a breather that is just ineffective at separating out the oil mist? Either way creating an effective solution is not simple without the risk of introducing other issues. MG need to explain further (Ok - even at all would be good).

The gearbox already has a breather (was confirmed some time ago) but it is not preventing oil escape. Apparently a longer pipe is the solution according to what some MG representatives and dealers have said but yes they might be making other modifications at the same time and you are quite right that it needs a proper explanation to everyone.

 

[Harry 17]

I am, probably an idiot! (…”No, No Harry i hear you say …..) but for info, and may be of help later on down the line, but I am driving my car as normal. Up to 1350 odd miles now, lots of motorway driving and lots of town driving. Fair bit of toe poking here and there as well.

Thus far , not a jot of difference to the cars responses and so far feel all ok.

yes, this may come back to bit me in the backside, but for those who are being really careful, this could be another set of data to add to the mix (drive up to 50 miles an hour is utter ridiculousness in my opinion).

I am trying to wait till the fix is out (Whatever the hell that is????) before I disrupt my working week / life, in order to take it back to the dealership, in order to get it sorted.

I would like to think a warning ssyem would be quick to let me know if some “rabbit was off” within my gear box, long before the thing ceases …… (this could be why I may be an idiot), but seeing as I get many warnings of stuff, that is NOT actually happening, I would like to think the warning lights and bongs are always a little ….erm….. over zealous

 

[Deleted member 9692]

Below is the letter I received from Gary Smart at 08:25am this morning and my reply to him for anyone interested. It seems he is no longer replying. Hey Ho.