March 2019 • Rough Luck Racing

30 Mar 2019

A cambelt service in Carlisle

On our way home now on the A66 after cambelt service in Carlisle for Steve. When we were there a couple of weeks ago doing the clutch, underfloor pipes, service etc we had tried to undo the engine bolts, but they had obviously been put in with a windy gun and were seized solid!

So we returned today knowing it was going to be more awkward than normal. We tried heat on the bolts and a big bar, then we resorted to removing another section of the engine mount instead. This worked enough to be able to slip the timing belt through a small gap. Few more bits for Steve to do then he will be putting it through an MOT.

28 Mar 2019

A great day in Accrington

What a great day in Accrington today with Robert for cambelt service on his spotless TF160.

Bob had fitted a secondary fan to the radiator that he wanted to be able to work with the existing wiring and have an override and that would also go off with the ignition. This was all wired up and fitted with a double fuse system, this makes it as safe as possible.

Brake fluid change also done.

Can’t believe it was 3 years ago when we last visited for the head gasket. How time flies.

27 Mar 2019

Kettering to Desborough

Kettering was our first call this morning to see Lee for initially full cambelt service and rear caliper replacement on his Trophy. When the plugs were removed we noticed there was moisture on top of a couple of the pistons and the plugs were wet. So we put the boroscope down and saw coolant collecting at the front edge of the piston. Previously the car had been stood for five years, we don’t think it has been run with a weeping head gasket but possibly it had corroded whilst stood. After discussing with Lee he thought it was a good idea to replace the gasket whilst we were there. We look forward to hearing how the MOT goes.

We then went on to Desborough to meet Chris for hydragas pump up on his lovely looking MGF VVC. The car was looking rather low so will now be a bit more of a comfortable ride and able to negotiate the speed bumps more easily!

24 Mar 2019

Pre MOT check on a pristine TF160

Chesterfield was our destination today, great to see Stephen again for a pre MOT check on his pristine TF160, the previous owner said he might have a problem with emissions. So we code read and found several error codes, most of them occurring from a flat battery, which always seems to bring up numerous random codes, although there were 3 that kept recurring, all associated with fuel trim bank 1 & heating element of that same sensor. When that sensor had been put in it had cracked the internal porcelain. New one replaced and all codes now cleared. The rest of the car was absolutely sound. Date booked in for minor service later in the year.

A lot of time spent today helping out a couple of people over the phone who were experiencing problems. Glad to have helped out some. Shame we couldn’t have resolved one of them despite our best efforts!

24 Mar 2019

Skillington near Grantham

Skillington near Grantham was our first call this morning to meet James to sort out an over revving problem on his 2001 MGF that he is bringing back to its former glory.

Throttle cable replaced and also checked the ECU that had multiple error codes that were causing an issue. Car now ticks over nicely just under 1,000 rpm. We look forward to hearing how the rest of the restoration goes.

We then went on to meet Simon in Peterborough whose TF 135 was experiencing a strange clunk when driven. Soft ride pack to be sourced and fitted. Only one top ball joint found to have movement. Three out of the four bottom shocker bushes have play. Will try and find a set of four soft ride suspension to cure it & make more comfortable.

24 Mar 2019

Back up to the North East…

So today took us back up to the North East again to meet Daniel in Morpeth for replacement of wheel bearings on his TF Spark in Firefrost red.

Two were causing wheel movement, one had totally collapsed and destroyed the hub centre aswell. Old bearings out and new pressed in. One of the front wheel bearings that we did also had a rear top ball joint on it instead of a front one. This was replaced.

All brakes were way beyond their wear limit, although not booked in for brakes we carry all spec of discs on the van so these were duly replaced as dangerous to leave them in the condition they were in.

Great to meet Daniel & a beautiful sunny morning.

23 Mar 2019

Washington to Hartlepool

Really good last day of our North East tour. Left our fab digs and went to see Stuart in Washington for replacement engine pipes. that had done their time, with stainless ones. Plus cambelt service on his ‘British Racing Green’ MGF mpi.

Whilst there Andy Brown had dropped off his TF 135 that was experiencing electrical issues and battery light illuminating while running. It was still charging the battery because the voltage regulator was faulty and was actually putting too many volts into the battery. Voltage regulator replaced and all electrical gremlins seem now to have been cured. Investigation of intermittent over heating proved that it may have been caused by an airlock. Once bled it took an additional 2 litres of coolant.

We also met Kevin who popped round in his gorgeous TF135 who wanted to book us in for some work.

Lovely to see Stuart & family.

From there we traveled on to see Lucie in Hartlepool who needed a couple of things doing to ‘Alf’ including replacing the gearbox oil, reverse light switch and investigation of a weird noise. Great to see her and David. Date to be arranged for further work on both her cars.

Brilliant few days with really lovely people.

21 Mar 2019

Rough Luck Racing Clothing

A very sunny morning in Blyth to see Gordon & his beautiful MGF VVC in Wedgwood. The heater control valve was stuck so we replaced this with another, they now have a choice of heat settings!

We then had time to to pop in and see the lovely Susan Farley in Whitley Bay at ‘Anne Thomas Workwear’ to pick up our latest garments and order a few more!

You can order both stock and customised Rough Luck Racing shirts, jackets and hats via our new online shop – Rough Luck Racing Shop