MG Midget Forum

Hello,
new to this forum and after some help.
Bought my first midget 1500 a couple of weeks ago which made me very happy, however it did need a new clutch fitting, luckily the previous owner had bought one and put it in with the sale to sweeten the deal. I have since had the new clutch fitted and then had it transported from the garage to my home, I promptly started it up in order to put it on my drive,
I immediately noticed a grumbling noise from what sounds like the transmission tunnel when it is in neutral, the grumbling noise subsides as the clutch is depressed, and disappears when it is completely depressed and is silent.
You can not hear the grumble from outside the car standing up and you can hear it a little better when you look under the car.

Having not driven the car before I am unable to say whether the noise was there before I had the new clutch fitted or not.

It was stood for two years if that helps with the diagnosis prior to me buying being run only occasionally.

If anybody could help me and give me an idea of what it could be I would be grateful Thanks.

First, check your transmission fluid level- If its nonexistent, that's where to start.-Spridget 1500s use the Spitfire box, so fill with 80-90w to the bottom of the threads.
Or it could be one of the transmission bearings, start with the easiest and cheapest first-oil.

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'58 Bugeye
'05 Mini Cooper S

Thanks,
Will check the level first thing in the morning, hopefully it will be a lack of transmission fluid causing the noise.

Mac,

My guess would be that the noise is coming from the first motion (input) shaft bearing of the gearbox, since it goes away as you depress the clutch pedal and the first motion shaft comes to a stop. It could be an unhappy bearing from having sat for two years. As others have said, top up the oil in the gearbox. Also, I'd suggest putting the rear axle up on jack stands and allowing the engine to run that way for a bit. That will push the gearbox oil toward the front, toward the first motion shaft bearing, and hopefully quiet it down...

Dick

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Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

Thanks for the advice, ill try these suggestions tomorrow and hopefully they will aid in getting rid of the grumbling noise at minimal expense.
Thanks again.