MG4 Reduction Gearbox Oil Leak

[tsedge]

As well as experience, there's also something called skill and work ethic.

Quite. But let’s be realistic, there are careless unmotivated people in every walk of life.

 

[4ND]

Quite. But let’s be realistic, there are careless unmotivated people in every walk of life.

Too true.

 

[CraigMcKMG4]

Well, mine has now been rejected. Really gutted it came to it, but we had lost faith in it. I hope that it is a simple and long-term fix that comes along soon.
Going into the garage tomorrow to empty out the car and factory reset the unit to remove my personal data then hand over the keys. It's such a shame as it really is a nice looking car. Perhaps in the future we might be back, who knows.

 

[Harry 17]

I agree, but wouldn't all dealers put the car up and look underneath as part of the PDI, in case something looks loose or hanging off!

To be fair @colsky , most of us (and dealers demos) have not had a leak until post 200 - 500 Miles, ergo a PDI would not show anything up.

It is becoming clearer and clearer that this issue is where it needs to be and Miles from Chorley Group has informed us that they have reported this confirmed issue to MG and are awaiting a reply `( my dealership has also done this and no doubt many others).

It is annoying, granted, and as I have said before, worrying for some.

I continue to drive mine, I have to admit here and now…. The liquid is no longer hay coloured, it is bordering on dark grey, so looks like I may have been informed incorrectly, but I continue to drive my car, as normal.

I am still very confident, that this issue will be both identified and rectified.

Here’s hoping sooner rather than later. ?

 

[Rip Van]

Well, mine has now been rejected. Really gutted it came to it, but we had lost faith in it. I hope that it is a simple and long-term fix that comes along soon.
Going into the garage tomorrow to empty out the car and factory reset the unit to remove my personal data then hand over the keys. It's such a shame as it really is a nice looking car. Perhaps in the future we might be back, who knows.

What dealer and how were they about your rejection?

 

[FiferMG4]

Well, mine has now been rejected. Really gutted it came to it, but we had lost faith in it. I hope that it is a simple and long-term fix that comes along soon.
Going into the garage tomorrow to empty out the car and factory reset the unit to remove my personal data then hand over the keys. It's such a shame as it really is a nice looking car. Perhaps in the future we might be back, who knows.

That’s a shame Craig. Can I ask what led to your decision to reject it?

 

[4ND]

Well, mine has now been rejected. Really gutted it came to it, but we had lost faith in it. I hope that it is a simple and long-term fix that comes along soon.
Going into the garage tomorrow to empty out the car and factory reset the unit to remove my personal data then hand over the keys. It's such a shame as it really is a nice looking car. Perhaps in the future we might be back, who knows.

A good decision.

 

[CraigMcKMG4]

What dealer and how were they about your rejection?

Macklin Motors in Edinburgh. They were not too responsive at first but the letter to their CEO seems to have solved the issue!

 

[CraigMcKMG4]

That’s a shame Craig. Can I ask what led to your decision to reject it?

It was really the unknowns coming from MG Perth who have it just now. It's been in for two weeks and they said the parts that 'might fix it' would be at least two ~ four weeks away.
We just felt that we were left with little choice. Reject it, possibly wish we didn't if a fix come along or keep it and wish we had rejected it when we had the chance. The safe bet was to get rid of it when we could.
It should have been so much better, first new car in years too ;(

 

[colsky]

To be fair @colsky , most of us (and dealers demos) have not had a leak until post 200 - 500 Miles, ergo a PDI would not show anything up.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, but my comments about looking underneath the car during the PDI relate to the loose undertray rather than the oil leak.

 

[siteguru]

A shame you couldn't wait until early next week when the issue and resolution should (hopefully) be known.

 

[tsedge]

A shame you couldn't wait until early next week when the issue and resolution should (hopefully) be known.

Timescale too though, may not be a fast fix

 

[siteguru]

True - but the details would be known so a better-informed decision could be made. Remember, the 30 day right to reject clock has stopped ticking while this is being investigated/resolved.

 

[beefyj]

A shame you couldn't wait until early next week when the issue and resolution should (hopefully) be known.

Some of us early owners are getting close to our 30 days, allowing for all the clock stopping etc…..but in terms of making like easier these decisions are close for us all.

 

[Lovemyev]

It was really the unknowns coming from MG Perth who have it just now. It's been in for two weeks and they said the parts that 'might fix it' would be at least two ~ four weeks away.
We just felt that we were left with little choice. Reject it, possibly wish we didn't if a fix come along or keep it and wish we had rejected it when we had the chance. The safe bet was to get rid of it when we could.
It should have been so much better, first new car in years too ;(

I think when you totally lose confidence / faith in a car, nothing is ever going to make it right to be honest !.
When you feel totally let down, by something you totally loved, you just have say :- “Let it go and move on”.
Life is WAY too short to be thinking about how it could / should have been.
It is a real shame for ALL concerned really.
MG never envisage / wanted this to happen and neither did the dealer network.
It’s a very frustrating time for all concerned.
As the number of rejected cars increases, it is likely to attract the wrong type of publicity.
I would where these rejected cars will in up ?.
They can’t be sold as new cars anymore ?.

 

[Baz]

MY theory only.
Petrol/diesel engine turns at 1000 rpm
Gearbox gears turn at 500rpm in first 15mph at wheel
Gearbox gears turn at 500rpm in 2nd 30mph at wheel
and so on.
So this shows that the oil is dispersed around the gearbox at the same rate regardless of speed.A normal gearbox is larger than a transfer box allowing the breather to be placed further away from the oil throw, also on some gearboxes there is a shield stopping the oil from going near the breather.so no chance of oil being blown out in a mist. .
Electric motor 1000 rpm
transfer box 1000 rpm 15mph at wheel
Electric motor 2000 rpm
transfer box 2000 rpm 30mph
and so on
not sure if this is correct but as there are no gearing to alter the speed it must be like that
So this possibly shows that the faster you go the faster the oil is thrown about .With the transfer box being smaller and the breather closer to the oil throw it is possible for the oil to go on the breather and mist out of the breather and then turn into droplets of oil .This could be why it is hard to find out where the oil is leaking from.As the oil looks to be a thin oil to start with this could be possible.
This may not be where the leak is as it could be a seal or faulty casing .This is my thoughts on the subject .PS yes my car has the oil leak and at the dealers at present awaiting MG china to come up with a fix.

 

[siteguru]

If the clock has stopped it doesn't matter* if it takes 60 days to resolve - the 30 day clock still applies.

* Yes, I know - it does matter in terms of not having the car - but I mean in terms of the law.

 

[siteguru]

The transfer box usually gears down to increase torque. So 1000 rpm at the motor might be 500 rpm at the wheel. But I understand what you're driving at.

 

[Lovemyev]

What concerns me, is when owners are reporting that the oil has changed colour from its normal straw colour, to that light grey colour in such a short time scale ?.
Mmmmmm ……… Not good !.

 

[Taq]

update: The Trophy has been back into the dealer who removed the bottom tray to reinspect the motor and it seemed to be oil free, the theory is now that there may have been some oil residue that was missed on the initial clean up that was running out after the drive back. So the leak may have been fixed after all, it’s going to be reinspected after a few days use to be certain but looking promising.