Last summer I went for a ride with my daughter. I was on the highway doing
about 70 when I noticed the temp getting pretty close to H. This is not real
unusual for the car and every time I checked the temp with a thermometer it
would be about 190 when it got to H when the air temp is above 80 degrees.
This time however when I got off the highway the temp came back down toward N
but a strange rattle started. The oil pressure stayed around 50lbs, the car
lost no power at all. From that point on when the car gets just above N the
noise comes back. The noise only happens when you are giving it gas to
maintain speed but goes away if I was to give it enough gas to go up a hill or
quick acceleration. I've taken it to a mechanic that knows MG's in the area
and he never seems to hear the problem (it could take 15minutes before the
noise begins). To me it sounds like a bad valve rattle but I have no loss of
power and the mechanic adjusted them. There must be some correlation with
heat. I don't think the noise is lower engine because that would always be
there and the oil pressure would drop. I just had an OD trans and new clutch
put in so I can eliminate the noise coming from there. I also had the radiator
cooked out and the temp gauge still pushes up to H. Could the problem with the
heat and noise be something like a head gasket or water port problem that
maybe doesn't cool the valve properly? I have no indication of water in the
oil. The car really runs great other that. Any Clues? Should I be concerned?
--Mike Quinn
74 MGB CB
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