Month: May 2022

A day off today in the middle of our trip to rest our bones and enjoy a run across the South Downs, taking in a visit to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove on the way.

Despite the squalls of rain we went down to the beach. But, poor Jon’s dodgy ankle didn’t fair well, so the resting of the bones didn’t work out quite as planned. A nice day though, appreciating where we are in the country and making the most of it.

Now in our new digs in Poole for a couple of nights, ahead of a visit to Swanage in the morning to meet Tricia and her TF. – https://ift.tt/kQugWA1

Our call today was in Cornwall and a lovely drive over this morning from our digs…

Geoffrey had contacted us as he wanted a few things sorting on his 2001 MGF 115 (in CMU).

Preemptive head gasket replacement carried out, plus cambelt water pump and tensioner. New alternator fitted and belt. Originally it was also booked in for stainless underfloor pipes, but already had them fitted by the previous owner, and stainless engine bay pipes, but as there is a shortage on these and we used our last set this wasn’t done, but the pipes on the car were like new anyway. Another very nice example. Didn’t get a pic of the interior, but it had red alcantara seats.

They wanted us to have a look at their other car whilst we were there and assess for potential work for next time. The water pump was leaking and the car came with little history when he collected it from the Isle of Wight. They were pleased of the reassurance that they hadn’t bought a bad one, and hadn’t realised it was a 160, which also came with a Heritage hard top. A few things to do when we’re back again in August to get it up to the spec that they would like it in.

Really good to meet Geoffrey and Carol (and Pepper of course, their gorgeous west highland terrier) and have a chat. Thank you, both for the endless supply of a welcome pot of tea and biscuits! We look forward to our return trip.

We now find ourselves in, again, some fantastic digs on a working farm just near Launceston. We got to meet our neighbours, calves only a few weeks old and watch the herd being milked. Beautiful location, a 6 mile walk for me and a snooze for Jon. Eurovision on for the evening’s entertainment maybe? 😃 – https://ift.tt/k49SPEA

A good run down from South Wales this morning and we have spent the day in Weston-super-Mare…

Joao had got in touch a couple of months ago to see if we would be in the area anytime soon, as he suspected the head gasket had gone on his MGF 1.8 mpi (in JRJ) with thanks to Andy P for the recommendation.

As soon as we spotted it, we knew what was possibly at fault. A dodgy cap! We carried out all our usual checks and happily for Joao this is all it was down to. While we were there he asked if we could carry out the minor service as nothing had been done on the car for quite a while. This was done, plus two new pressure tested caps supplied. All error codes cleared and a chat with Joao about other things to be aware of. Good to meet him and he was really grateful that that’s all it was.

We then went over to the local euro car parts to get stocked back up on a few things. Spotted this lovely looking MGF next door. Then we went on to the sea front for a cuppa. I made the most of having an afternoon free and had a good yomp round to Sand Point and up to the rocky outcrop. Really fab views over to South Wales, good weather too.

Bit of a change in the plans today, as we were supposed to be seeing Mark Ford this morning in Bristol, for work on his ZR and MGF, but sadly for him he has had to sell them. We still keep in touch and wish him all the very best. We could have made other bookings in his place, but out of respect we didn’t feel right doing that.

We’ve got a lovely hotel for the night, with a proper sea view, shame we’re not staying longer! It’s another early night ahead of our next leg of the trip in the morning. 🌊☀️ – http://www.facebook.com/pages/p/1295587220479237

We left our fab digs in Lea this morning and headed over to Abertillery for work on Steve’s low mileage TF 135 (in CEV)…

Thanks to a recommendation from Lesley and Frank Hooper (thank you, both) Steve had got in touch back in November to see if we could swap out the underfloor coolant pipes for stainless ones when we were next in the area.

Underfloor pipes replaced, with an underneath that looks like new still, with shiny untouched bolts since the day they were put in. While we were there Steve asked if we could carry out a minor service and also check out a strange whirring sound coming from the engine. The cambelt service was recently carried out locally, but we found that the cambelt had caught the water pump bolts, which had then pulled the tensioner, resulting in about 8” of the cambelt to be ripped off. So it was decided that best practice would be to replace the belt and the tensioner.

Certainly a timely save from ultimate impending disaster, which would have been a huge shame to happen to this fantastic example.

The roof was also not fitting as well as Steve would have liked so this was adjusted and made a much better fit.

We should have been seeing another one in Cardiff this afternoon, but the chap cancelled as he sold the car, we could have fitted more in, but thought we would have the afternoon free, in hind site it was good that we didn’t and were able to spend the time getting Steve’s sorted. You just never know with these little cars what they’re going to throw at you. What was a simple smallish job doesn’t always work out that way.

Lovely to meet Steve and Sharon and have a chat throughout the day. Plus lots of cuppas and chocolate brownie always go down well!

The weather was a tad moist, this morning, so we were very pleased when we pulled up to a double garage! 🌧

We nipped up to Cwmtillery lakes for a look at afterwards on Steve’s suggestion as it was just a couple of miles along the road, what a lovely place hidden away, didn’t know that was there and we’ve been to the area a few times now over the years. Good to see Steve also out giving the car a blast in the sun! ☀️ 😃

A stop over in Pontypool tonight and an early night ahead of traveling further south to our next location morning… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 – https://ift.tt/WLIUR4d

An early start yesterday morning for the start of our latest big trip of 10 days on the road in the south west, with a few things to do along the way…

Our first call was in Bartestree, near Hereford, where it was great to meet Richard who had fairly recently bought this very nice looking TF 115, (in LEF), that was now due its cambelt service. Richard also wanted the head gasket replacing as his last MG had gone at 40k miles and he didn’t want to tempt fate on this one as it was approaching that figure! His suspicions weren’t unfounded as the head gasket had actually gone, it had had the gasket replaced previously, but it was fitted with a Mk I elastomer gasket.

All gaskets replaced plus cambelt, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt, spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, oil and oil filter all replaced. Date to be arranged to return for some further work in the future.

This morning found us back in Walford, near Ross on Wye for cambelt service on Philip’s work horse, his TF 115. Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt, plugs, all filters replaced. The handbrake needed some adjustment and advice on repairing the door hinge. Great to see Philip as always and we look forward to coming back next year.

From there we went over to Kingstone, near Hereford where it was lovely to see Keith again, last couple of visits he was away, so it was nice to catch-up this time. Can’t believe it’s 5 years since we last did the cambelt service when he lived over near Barry. Cambelt, water pump and tensioner replaced, plus new alternator belt on his MGF 120 mpi (in JRJ).

Keith wanted us to check out the damage underneath the car when he had sadly hit a rock in the road on a dark country lane some months ago. Fortunately, the damage wasn’t as extensive as he had envisioned. The radiator hose had a large split in it on the offside, so this was duly replaced with a new one that we had on the van.

The car still needs some repair work underneath, but Keith will get this all sorted when he gets it in for the MOT. It’s a solid car, that he’s owned for many years and will be passed on to his daughter whose had her eye on it for a while. It looks a bit dusty in the pic, due to Keith having lived on a new estate for 3 years that’s still being developed.

A good couple of days with great company and many welcome cups of tea. Thanks everyone, always appreciated ☕️

Back to our fab digs in Lea for our second night here. What an absolute gem of a place, hidden away with a beautiful garden, it will be a shame to leave, but at least we know where to stay next time we’re down this way. 🌿🌼 – https://ift.tt/ac48HoY

A day on the road today to round off the week…

Conisborough, was our first call, to source and sort an oil leak on Mark’s TF 115 (in MBB) that had been noticed by Mark when storing the car. It was found to be coming from the drive shaft on the offside, so this was removed and a new seal fitted. There wasn’t any further leakage on running the car on axle stands afterwards so hopefully this will have cured the issue. Great to see Mark as always, we found out that as of this morning he is now a published author, so I shall be buying his book, which sounds a very interesting read.

From there we went over to Bracebridge, as it was cambelt service time again on Lorraine and John’s Trophy (in FAR of course). Cambelts, water pump, tensioner and all other service parts replaced. Hydragas topped up as she was looking slightly wonky on one corner. To be kept an eye on, and may need further investigation. But at least she’s all good and ready for the summer. Great to see them both.

We didn’t make it to our last call, in Spilsby as planned, absolutely not like us and never done before! But, we had a genuine reason… we’ve both got Covid! 😮‍💨 I was first to succumb and started to feel awful on Sunday, so I had 2 days off, then Jon felt bad on Wednesday so he had a day off. Fortunately, we were in the workshop most of that time and bumbled on, quite successfully it turns out!

We messaged everyone this morning to make sure we were still ok come over. But, when it got to 5 o’clock and we still had a bit of a trek and another two calls to do we had to call it a day and head home. It had taken its toll again, absolutely drained 🥺 Sorry Denis and David, thanks for your understanding, we will be back soon!

Have a great weekend everyone, looks like there are quite a few events taking place so hope you all have fun wherever you may be. 🗺 – https://ift.tt/M1X85jv

Back to it in earnest after a brilliant few days off and it’s been a rewarding week getting 2 none runners up and running again, amongst other things…

After arriving home from the Highlander on Friday evening we popped over to Castleford on Saturday morning to see Mark’s TF, that had decided to spring a leak, culprit detected and duly replaced. Thanks Mark for the Ales, they will be very much appreciated by my Dad as thanks for looking after the cat ☺️🍻

Sunday morning up bright and early to pick up the trailer and head over to Hebden Bridge to collect Andy’s MGF 120 mpi (in HFF) that hasn’t turned a wheel since 2005.

That was an interesting journey up them hills with the trailer! 😄

The car had some work done in 2016, but unfortunately due to a faulty fuel pump wasn’t started up, Andy replaced the fuel pump, but this one also packed up.

Once back at the workshop we fitted the new fuel pump that was sent with the car and this was also faulty, we then tried the second one, which again was found to be faulty! So we fitted a higher pressure pump to the original unit, which happily cured the problem and car running again. With the main issue ticked off the the list, we carried out the cambelt service and other service items. Andy thought maybe the clutch had gone, but at 29k miles and due to it being stood for so long the problem was found to be with the slave and master cylinders, so these were both replaced. The underfloor coolant pipes were a bit rotten, so new set fitted.

MOT carried out today. New set of tyres required. We will be giving the underfloor a treatment and then she will be good to go again. It will be so good to know this very tidy car will finally be back on the road after so long and enjoyed as she should.

Rod had his MGF VVC (in HFF) couriered down to us from a garage in the north east that had been trying to source a none starting issue for the last 9 months. Despite many phone calls between us and the garage and Rod over the last few months they asked if we could take a look.

Following our extensive tests and investigation this afternoon, it was found to be down to another one with a faulty fuel pump and a faulty air pressure sensor. Further servicing will be required as it seems to be a while since anything was done. But again glad to say it’s a runner again and will live on!

Peter dropped off his TF 135 with us at the weekend for a couple of things to be done. Piper Cross Viper induction kit fitted and stainless steel 4-2-1 exhaust manifold fitted. Plus the cigar lighter that has never worked since he’s owned the car was removed and a USB socket put in its place and the wiring problem was found and repaired. Sorry we didn’t get chance to do the other bits you left us with Peter, next time!

A very busy and productive week so far. – https://ift.tt/xfYDG1O