The MGA With An Attitude
MGA Guru Is GOING MOBILE - (May 1 - May 15, 2026)
Friday, May 1, 2026:
Sitting in Rayne, Louisiana, raining all day, good to stay inside. Call to Scarborough Faire in the evening to check on the Return Authorization number from Moss Motors to return the ill-fitting radiator. Another week passed, and still no RA number.
Saturday, May 2, 2026:
Moved a few miles, still in Rayne, LA. Found the battery we want to buy. Can't find it in stock anywhere that we could drive to pick it up. Amazon has it for reasonable price, free delivery, and decent delivery time (4 to 6 days). Checking our Friends list, while heading for Austin, Texas. Called a friend in Austin where we can have it dropped. So the battery is now ordered and paid for, shipping right away, expected to arrive in 4 to 6 days, like Wednesday to Friday. -- Phone call with younger daughter in Austin, making appointment for Wednesday meeting in Austin, TX.
Sunday, May 3, 2026:
Crossed a state line at midnight. Not happy with engine fast idling at 1500 rpm, and sluggish starting, like it may have an intake air leak.We removed the PCV valve as a diagnostic move, plugging the intake manifold port, leaving crankcase vents open. That got the idle speed down, and more prompt starting. There may have been a loose hose clamp where the PCV valve connected to the intake manifold (maybe), which might account for the increasing fast idle speed. After we see how this goes, we may consider reinstalling the PCV valve later. Good opportunity for collecting experience with the PCV system, driving a while between making changes. -- Sitting in Orange, Texas today. responding to several MG tech questions.
 Moved on late night to Beaumont, TX. Running rich at idle on arrival, which makes sense if there was an intake air leak before removing the PCV valve. Adjusted both carbs more than half turn more lean, readjusted idle speed, and it was running quite well (even without changing the fuel needle).
Monday, May 4, 2026:
After 10 hours over night sit, the engine fired up promptly. Shuffled on to Baytown, Texas in time for late breakfast, engine still happy on arrival. Even with the wrong needles, the carbs can always be adjusted for good idle mixture. You probably won't notice the wrong needles when cruising, except it may affect fuel economy or carbon up the combustion chambers if it is rich at speed. I keep reminding myself that we still have not been able to procure a spare rubber diaphragm for the PCV valve, so keep that on the "wish list" for future order.
Good time for laundry day, take advantage of the facilities at a Love's Travel Stop, along with WiFi and food. Laundry was interrupted and took longer than anticipated. Will stay over tonight.
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