Month: August 2022

Back up to the north east this morning and our first call of the day in Blyth to source a coolant leak on Tony’s TF 1.6 (in MBB) that shortly after buying it in May had developed some problems.

He’d taken it to a local garage that wanted an eye watering amount to replace the head gasket. Plus he’d had someone suggest he added the evil k-seal. So he hung on to wait for us to come. Glad he did, as on pressure test the inlet manifold was evidently the problem and coolant was pouring out everywhere along it. The coolant cap that was on it wasn’t the best make, so this was replaced too.

New gasket fitted and all cleaned up, plugs out and inevitable ingress of coolant cleared from the pistons. Correct nuts refitted along the manifold and tightened, which helps spread the load, especially important with the manifold being of the plastic type.

All up and running nicely, and good to hear from Tony this evening that he’d had a lovely run out, making the most of top-down fun in the sun.

Great to meet Tony, and we look forward to seeing him again next year for the service.

From there we went a couple of miles around the corner to see Les’s fab TF 160 as the rear window heater wasn’t working. Traced to be the rear demist relay, new one fitted and all sorted. Good as always to have a cuppa and a catch-up with him and Pam.

Then, from there, we went a bit further south to Seaton Sluice to see what was occurring with the hydragas on Terry’s MGF Trophy (in FAR). We think it’s down to one of the seals being old and degraded on the pipe. The car is getting tucked up for the winter months now, so when we return in the spring for the annual service we will replace the seals.

Mixture of weather with a sea fret that had rolled in, made the coastline look very different. Unfortunately, not enough time for a walk along it. But, as always a good trip up there, with welcoming hospitality.

Jon’s now having fun fitting a new ignition barrel to the van on the drive.

Pictures aren’t my usual posing ones, but you get the idea! The engine bay one is interesting.

Hope everyone has made the most of the weather again and had some lovely runs out and about. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/Jrkg2Cs

Back up in the north east today, with our first call over to Cramlington, where it was lovely to meet Arthur and Liz for work on Liz’s very nice, low mileage TF 135 in JFV that they bought from Blackpool a couple of years ago.

They enjoy going along to shows together with Liz in the TF, and Arthur in his Lotus Elan, that he’s owned for many years, so they were really happy to have it back up and running again after the head gasket had failed back in March.

The cambelt hadn’t been changed since 2017, so today we replaced the head gasket, and carried out the cambelt service.

Once the engine was fired up, it was found that the right-hand side exhaust control valve was stuck in the closed position. This was disconnected, then forcibly opened. Albeit we managed to get it open, we didn’t think it would manage to open and close on its own, therefore it was left in the open position. This will prevent restricted airflow, as all the gases would have gone through just one exhaust tail pipe.

From there we headed up to North Broomhill where it was great to see Kevin again for minor service on his MGF Trophy, which is painted in Trophy yellow, but with an added metaflake when Kevin had it resprayed. New front reflector fitted too. A good chat with Kevin and fusses with his gorgeous dog Monte.

Baking hot day (not complaining) with lovely company. Now on the A1 heading home with not much further to go. We’re back up there tomorrow with a few ‘squeeze ins’. Should have been prepping for the South Wales and Cornwall trip next week, but we can do that on Sunday. 😀 – https://ift.tt/015ZxDl

Straight back at the workshop on Monday afternoon, after bidding our farewells to Pateley Bridge and our lovely friends, Maggy, Phil and Peppa. What a brilliant couple of days.

We went over to Huddersfield to collect a TF 160, that was in need of some work.

Paul had dropped off his MGF with us, on Saturday, after he had driven it all the way down from Georgemas near Halkirk in Scotland.

Both cars tucked up safely for the night, and we returned the following morning to get started on Paul’s MGF.

• Both rear subframe forward mounts replaced with stainless steel.
• Both rear subframe rear mounts replaced with stainless.
• Rear spheres both replaced.
• PRT conversion carried out from the standard pipework originally fitted, complete with all the replacement hoses etc.
• Full underfloor treatment carried out.

Great to see Paul and his Dad, this evening, when they came to collect. Thanks for the ice creams, a nice touch.

Glad you had an enjoyable sunny, top down run back. 😃 ☀️

Head off on the TF 160 and replacement of stem seals and pistons rings in progress… – https://ift.tt/015ZxDl

Harrogate MG Car Club – Nidderdale show ground.

An enjoyable day out on Sunday at the Harrogate MG Clubs annual show at Pateley Bridge.

We had our display of ‘things that can go wrong’ and really enjoyed having loads of catch-ups with everyone from near and far.

Some cracking cars on show. Didn’t get many photos though. It’s a cracking show, little bit down on numbers as most seem to be, but great fun all the same. With the added bonus of good weather too. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/QSlExzw

What a beautiful spot for work this morning, right at the foot of the Brimham Rocks.

Chris had got in touch as the MGF 120 mpi he had purchased last year had unfortunately succumbed to the proverbial, shortly after he got it home. He had tried swapping out the thermostat and replacing the expansion tank cap.

As we were passing by today we were able to fit him and what a pleasure it was too, meeting him and Stacey at their beautiful spot, Brimham Rocks Farm.

Head gasket replaced, along with a new coolant temperature sensor and hydragas pump up. So she’s all good to go again to have fun with on the fantastic roads around the area. Great to meet Chris and Stacey and their lovely dogs Ziggy & Travis, hope to see them all tomorrow, if not we look forward to seeing them again at the workshop for some further work later in the year.

Making the most of the surroundings, an early finish and the fab weather I took off on a 5 mile walk along part of the Nidderdale Trail to Pateley Bridge and met Jon at the tea shop there. Such beautiful countryside and stunning views. ☀️🌳

Check out their holiday cottages on air B&B. Brimham Rocks Farm Cottages. – https://ift.tt/HWixVGK

Well we had a run over to Galgate near Lancaster today, nice run over the Pennines with a mixed bag of weather as you’d expect.

SatNav kindly directed us to our destination, only to find there wasn’t an MG to be found. After waiting for for some time and trying fruitlessly to contact said owner of MG, a kindly neighbour came over to ask why we were there, and she explained that the car wasn’t there, it normally is, but not today.

Bit strange as one of the things we had it booked in for was gear cable replacement as the one on the car had snapped, so we had ordered cables in for the job. Plus it was booked in and confirmed for a cambelt service.

A 5 o’clock start, a 260 mile round trip, 5 hours in travel and £90 in fuel for nothing.

I won’t add anything else apart from what a shame when we have a waiting list for people desperately wanting their cars sorted and a whole day wasted for us. Thanks Jack. 🙄 – https://ift.tt/HWixVGK

It’s always a picturesque run through the Lincolnshire wolds and we headed back over there again to our first call in Donington, near Spalding this morning.

Dave’s TF 135 (in HFN) had unfortunately suffered from the proverbial and he had contacted us a few months ago to see when we could get back over to him to sort.

The head gasket had previously been replaced some time ago with an MLS, but as we have found over the years it seems the Victor Reinz ones rot after approx 7 to 8 years. The inlet manifold was missing its gasket altogether and had been daubed with sealant. All cleaned up and new gaskets replaced today.

What a great morning, lots of conversations and laughs. Great to see Dave again and meet his lovely wife Julie, who had heard the rumour that Jon is partial to a bit of cake. Thank you, so much for all the cakes! You made Jon a happy man. Plus it was great to have doggy fusses with Poppy and Ruben 🐶 and meet their very entertaining African Grey parrot, Billy! So funny. Thank you, both for your fab company. Glad you can get out and about again and have some fun days out. Hope you have a great time at Cadwell Park this weekend.

From there we headed a few miles along the road to Gosberton. Emma had got in touch thinking that the clutch had gone in her MGF 120 mpi (in CMU). We last saw her in 2016 for head gasket replacement etc. From the description and mileage it was, as we suspected, down to a stiff clutch release arm and seals blown on the slave cylinder.

New slave cylinder fitted and the release arm freed off. Minor service carried out and hydragas pump up and her fab looking MGF is all set to go again. Didn’t see Emma, but thanks to her partner for a brew.

Good drive back home with fab weather all day, plus a bit of an air display.

The exhaust flexi section on the van was blowing a bit, so I think Jon was enjoying the drive home a bit too much, with the trusty steed sounding more like a Land Rover Discovery, with a straight through pipe! Pleased to say the required part arrived today and he’s just fitted it in the driveway. A tad quieter now! 😄 – https://ift.tt/m69KcBO

Back at the workshop for the last couple of days.

Steven dropped off his fab looking TF 135 for some work with us at the weekend.

The car had previously been jacked up on the sill, which had subsequently stoved it in, not long after he had had the car resprayed. It’s a standard JFM paint code, but with a rainbow fleck added in. I know glitter isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I love it, looks great when the sun catches it.

So Jon welded up the sill and the vertical section pulled back out. All now looking good again.

Steven also wanted some bigger brakes, so four pot calipers were fitted along with new discs and pads.

Simon also left his TF 135 with us (in MNX) to investigate a random non-starting problem. Code reading couldn’t bring up any error codes. Checked and cleaned up starter motor connections, and the fuel pump shut-off relay connections and checked the output from the crank sensor.

Bit of a wimp out for me today as had to have two teeth pulled. At least I got the van all unpacked and restocked yesterday ready for the next few days on the road again. Plus got the ‘photo shoot’ done. Bit of a late finish for Jon, but I did busy myself with the admin so wasn’t completely useless today 😕 – https://ift.tt/dhAZEfj