Month: February 2021

It was a very productive ‘F’ day today…

First call was in Hull to see Alex and David’s rare 1998 MGF 143 VVC in Old English white with a red interior. The car had failed on emissions. After we had a look at the MOT emissions sheet it pointed us in the direction of the Lambda sensor. Also while changing this we replaced the coolant temperature gauge sensor as we found this to be faulty too. Checked the live data and checked for error codes and found it to be running a lot less rich and good measure put it into its learning cycle to relearn all of its fueling.

We then went over to see Keith, in Kirk Ella, whose car had dropped a bit, so hydragas pumped up and is now sitting at a better height.

Then over to North Ferriby to return to Bob, with the parts that were required for his MGF mpi 120 that was suffering from a none starting issue. When we had first investigated we tried the usual culprits of fuel pressure and sensor issues. So we started by checking the coil pack, which made no difference, then the main HT lead, which again made no difference, so we changed the rotar arm and distributor cap and it fired up instantly. We then replaced all the other HT leads for good measure. Bob very happy to have his car back up and running again.

While we were there we had a chat with his neighbour Alistair whose MGF we will be booking into the workshop for underseal treatment later in the year.

Van all stocked up ready for next week at the workshop. What a lovely social day we had, great to see everyone!

Didn’t take enough pics though.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

An x-power grey day today…

We found ourselves in a beautiful location this morning, just west of Stanhope, where it was lovely to meet Paul who had bought himself a TF 115 Spark in September, having previously owned an MGB he fancied having another great car to enjoy.

With there being little to no service history Paul asked us to carry out the cambelt service and replace the underfloor coolant pipes with stainless.

What a sound car Paul’s got himself. Stunning location (Jon please can we move there) and the sun was shining too.

We then had a super run over the moors to Crawcrook where it was lovely to see Rod.

His also fab looking steppy was losing coolant, so after a bit of investigation found that there was a couple of culprits, the return hose was weeping, which was only evident when the car was running, so new clip fitted, plus cylinder number 4 piston crown was looking too shiny. Date booked in to sort.

Back home in daylight which was nice.

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Another fabulous looking MGF mpi in the workshop…

We picked this one up, from Barnsley, on Tuesday morning in order to carry out head gasket replacement, cambelt service, fitting of a strengthened lower oil rail and new thermostat.

Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless as noticed they were a bit on the rotten side. Good opportunity to do a coolant flush as the car was still on the original blue 2 year coolant.

What a lovely car to work on. Duly returned to John this afternoon.

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Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

A couple of stunning examples today…

First one was in Stockton-on-Tees, where it was great to meet Chris for work on his MGF 1.6 mpi.

Minor service, underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless and gear box oil change. Really nice to chat to Chris about the cars he’s owned, a very nice collection over the years.

We then went over to Redcar, where it was lovely to meet Barry who had bought his wife a MGF 120 mpi for Christmas.

The clutch release arm had seized so we freed it off and they now have an easy clutch pedal again.

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On our way back home on the M62 after a lovely day.

Great to meet Steve this morning and his lockdown purchase, a very nice looking TF 115.

We went over armed with the bearing press as he had been advised his wheel bearing needed replacing, but on inspection there wasn’t anything wrong with the bearing, it was just slight play on the shocker bottom bush.

Cambelt service carried out, with new alternator belt. Really nice quiet sounding engine. He’s got himself a great car.

We then went over to Swinton, where it was lovely to see David again (and Bodie too) for a few things on his very tidy TF 135.

Last time we were there David had bought himself rose jointed wiper linkage arms, but they needed a bit of modification, so we took them away with us and then refitted them today.

Alternator adjuster bracket also fitted, new belt as the last one had been squealing again and fitted a new reverse light switch.

Enjoyable day in great company (at distance of course) and the sun shone too, which made a welcome change. ☀️

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Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Luddington and Dinnington were our destinations today…

For our first call it was lovely to meet Gillian whose MGF stepspeed had succumbed to head gasket failure. We replaced this plus carried out the cambelt service too as this was due.

Before carrying out any work the car was a bit down on its stops so we pumped her up to the correct height.

Couple of other little niggles sorted.

Really great to see Noel and Melanie again on the next call. Their fab looking LE’s engine management light was flashing at first and then on constantly. On code reading we found 11 faults, which pointed us towards either Lambda sensor or coil pack. On investigation found that one of the coil packs had burnt out. New one fitted and problem solved.

Looking forward to getting another date arranged for them to come over to the workshop once lockdown restrictions have eased.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

What a really lovely day we had in Bromsgrove. Already an owner of a TF 135 Keith had spotted a MGF for sale last year and thought it looked a good one to take on. So he asked us if we would come over and do all the essentials to make it sound. What started out as a long list was reduced as he has got himself a really fab MGF mpi 120 in Volcano.

As there was no service history, apart from the odd thing written on the back of an envelope we carried out full cambelt service.

The list included pads and discs, didn’t need them as all new, underfloor stainless steel coolant pipes, didn’t need them as already fitted, brake lines, didn’t need them as all sound. So Keith was a very happy man with a lot less of a costly day than anticipated.

Date to be arranged for a visit to the workshop for underfloor treatment and some other bits.

Thank you to Keith for the very thoughtful presents! Even including the shirt off your back from your days at Rover!

We look forward to seeing you both and ‘Mabel’ again up in Yorkshire.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

When we last saw Tony in Macclesfield we took out the Pektron unit for him on one of his TF’s, in order to send off to Technozen, as the central locking relay had given up. So we returned today to refit it for him. Unfortunately, the battery was flat and the bonnet release was broken, so what was supposed to be a quick fix turned into a full morning of getting into the car and then the bonnet.

We got the doors open and into the bonnet eventually. Pektron unit refitted and new bonnet release fitted. We like a challenge! Really pleased for Tony that his car is back up and running again.

We then went over to Bramhall and good to see Stephen again. He had noticed a small amount of coolant loss, and from his description it sounded very much like the thermostat had sprung a leak and sure enough on pressure test it was evident that that was what the problem was. New thermostat and housing fitted, system pressurised again and no more leaks.

The car was sitting a little low so hydragas topped up, now looks a lot better.

A successful day and we even managed to dodge the rain somehow.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.