Month: June 2019

Started off the day in Longbridge this morning to meet Gary, from his house we could see the factory. We would just like to say a big thank you to who had recommended us to Gary at Pride of Longbridge this year, if you’re reading this please let us know who you are.

We carried out head gasket replacement on his lovely looking TF135. Really great morning and good to get to know you Gary, hope you have lots of fun now!

We then ventured a few miles north to Birmingham to carry out full cambelt service on Robert’s very smart and well loved TF135, one of the ones made after the LE500 run.

We then went over to see Ruth and Mark to fit a new Lambda sensor to Dirty Nancy, Ruth had been experiencing lumpy running. All now nice and smooth once more. Great to see you both have a cuddle with Percy!

Thanks to everyone for keeping us well hydrated today ☀️

On the M18 now so almost home.

We left our digs in Chesham and went to see Graham’s MGF again, this time for head gasket replacement, which could have possibly been caused by leaking engine pipes and hadn’t been helped by K-seal. The over the gear-box return pipe had been rooted downwards instead of upwards, creating a possible airlock. This was all sorted and put to rights. Only to find that an error kept occurring from the cam sensor. So this was replaced with one we had on the van. Car up and running right again.

From there we continued to venture north to meet Craig, in Wellingborough for a none starting issue on his TF135, Lee Pudney had called us after he had seen it up for sale for virtually scrap. Craig had only bought it back in April. After Jon’s investigation he finally narrowed it down to a problem with the ignition switch. After by-passing the ignition the car sprang back in to life!

Date to be found in the book for when we’re passing next to replace ignition barrel.

Good to be back home, from our southern tour. Beautiful weather all day.

What a great morning seeing Chris again at his new home in Eastbourne for some bits on Avril his TF135, that needed a new starter motor, alternator belt and new brake pads. We’ve been to a few places and seen a C5 sitting in the garage but never seen one working, thanks Chris so much for letting us have a spin! Absolutely brilliant, now we want one!

Lenham near Maidstone was our next stop to meet Pete and Clarissa who had recently purchased a TF135 and were experiencing clutch issues and some clunks from the rear. Clutch release arm was extremely stiff so this was freed off, new clevice and R pin fitted too. On investigation of clunks we discovered that the back brake pads were well worn so these were replaced. Plus one of the clunks turned out to be a missing brace bolt, this was replaced. Great to meet you both and look forward to seeing you again.

We then travelled steadily north to Aylesbury to our digs for the night.

Southampton this morning to see Mark again for annual service on his beautiful MGF 135 in Copperleaf, nice to have a chat, date to be arranged for later in the year for some other work.

We then went over to Polegate near Eastbourne for a look at a TF135 that Heiko had bought unseen (as he lives in Germany), his friend Ray met us at the car. Full check over carried out but, unfortunately, from the test that it would have to pass over in Germany it was no where near up to spec.

Fab to enjoy a cuppa and a paddle in the sea and walk along the pier in Eastbourne this evening with some sunshine for a change.

What a really lovely social day spent at the unit! Lucie arrived first thing this morning for some welding on her beautiful TF160. Then Maggy, Phil and Peppa arrived for delivery of gorgeous Daisy and lots of bits.

Jon did an absolutely fantastic job on both front sill ends. First side went well and typically the other side, which didn’t look too bad on first inspection, turned out to be a bit worse.

It was so great to see everyone and have a good old natter and a brew!

Grimethorpe was our first destination to see Geoffrey for more things on his immaculate and well loved TF135 and it was his birthday too! He had treated himself to a Daytona with the quad tail finishers and a set of Bilstein shocks and a new stereo. A very happy man came back from his test drive, car sounded great too as he had already had a remap by Mark Stacey. Look forward to seeing you again for further work in a couple of months, enjoy your birthday run this afternoon in the sun!

From there we went to meet Pete and his lovely wife in Belton to fit a Daytona with twin finishers to their fairly recent purchase of an excellent example of a Spark in x-power grey. They also had another super looking TF135 and a beautiful MGB in Flemenco. Great to chat and look forward to seeing you again in September for cambelt service.

Really good day, almost home now and the rain kept away!

What a really great day in Norfolk and lovely to meet Stuart. His beautiful looking MGF VVC, that had been quite heavily modified for track use, had been stood for 3 years and he wanted us to do everything necessary before turning the key. Full cambelt service carried out and check over of brakes, track rod ends, ball joints, subframes. Clutch was a bit sloppy so fluid change done.

So interesting to hear of Stuart’s accounts of many track days. Jon was especially interested as it is the same year and colour as his own modified car. Great to hear it try to spark into life at the first turn of the key, but with the Emerald race ECU it’s quite normal to have to sit in the car and keep the tic-over up until the engine gets warm. Trailer brought down with us as a contingency plan in case a lot more work required, but all sorted.

Thank you Stuart for making us so welcome. Beautiful hot sunny day with no rain!

Back on the A1 heading home after a busy day in the north east. We went to see Andy Brown in East Rainton as he had experienced some over heating issues, as suspected after pressure testing it was head gasket failure. On removing the head it was evident that coolant had been leaking into cylinder 2. At the MOT Andy had been told his rear bottom bushes on the shocks were worn so we took the bearing press with us and some new bushes, these were duly pressed out and in. Great morning with lots of chats and laughs, and a visit from lovely Stuart Clarke. Cracking catering too thank you Andy!

We then popped down the road to visit another Stuart who had called a few days ago, following a recommendation from Steve Miller, about the recent purchase of a beautiful looking MGF Trophy. The car was prone to overheating after 20 miles so asked if we could diagnose the problem. After pressure testing and inspection of the cylinders etc it was evident that although the head gasket had recently been changed there is a possibility of it leaking again in to one of the cylinders. Although not ruling out a thermostat issue. Date booked in to return to sort plus some other work.

We then went to see Ken in Spennymoor who had also called a weeks ago saying he had a problem with a stuck bolt in the subframe whilst replacing the front lower arms. After some time with the appropriate tools Jon successfully removed said annoying bolt. Good luck with the rest of the arms Ken, hope the rest doesn’t give you anymore grief!