Month: September 2022

Out on the road today, but only fairly local heading to Harrogate first.

The gear cable linkage had collapsed on the rear so this was replaced with a new one, plus a new gaitor, as this one had also crumbled. All gears selecting nicely, particularly reverse which was the main issue. A new key fob also programmed as Karen had only the one for some time and just wanted another one as back-up, which is always a good idea for her fab MGF in Wedgewood, that she’s owned from new. Lovely to meet Richard this morning and have a chat.

We then went back over to see John’s TF 135, that on our last visit, discovered that the coolant temperature sensor was dodgy, so this was replaced. Plus John had bought himself a remote battery isolater, and asked if we could fit it whilst there. They’re such a good idea, not just to preserve the battery, but also for security.

From there we went further north to Sowerby where it was great to meet David who had asked us to call in when next in the area to give his sons TF 135 (in PBT) a check over.

David’s son Will has done a huge amount of work on the car, that he had bought fairly cheep with the intention of doing up, good experience for him as is now away at Uni studying mechanical engineering. He had replaced the clutch, the flywheel with a lightened one, the head gasket, and so many other upgrades and mods, too many to list, absolute kudos to Will, with no expense spared! Frustratingly for him though, after all that, the car decided to lose some coolant and he couldn’t find any obvious cause. He was about to give up on it, when his Dad stepped in, having owned an F in the past and being a big fan of British cars he didn’t want to see all of his sons efforts go to waste.

This afternoon we carried out all of our usual checks and it was found to be down the head gasket not having taken properly. There are a number of reasons why, and sometimes not always obvious straight away, but it’s nothing that can’t be sorted and Will can then take his car back to Uni with him as was his intention.

We’re so pleased David got in touch, a date now to be arranged in our crazy diary to get over and sort.

So much going on at the workshop at the moment, it’s a little bit on the chocker side. Heads down and crack on as we always do!

Glad the weather improved from when we set off from a rainy start this morning. Fab rainbow though! – https://ift.tt/atCl57A

First call of today was in Middleton Tyas, near Richmond this morning for work on one of Martin’s fleet! He had treated his lovely TF 160 ‘Ruby’ (in CBT) to a new stainless steel back box and replacement heat shield.

Thank fully all bolts came out, with only the forward mounts on the shield needing to be retapped as is usual. Unfortunately, the clamps for the tail finishers weren’t in the box! Everything else fitted in as it should and then Martin can put the quads on when he receives the clamps. Sounded good though on startup and the next step is a remap that we will do for him at some stage. Nice to have a quick catch-up with Martin’s father, when Martin had to leave for the dentist, hope it went well 😦

From there went on to Darlington to see Terry and ‘The Chairman’ his fab MGF 75th Anniversary (in CDM)

Happy Birthday to Terry! 🥳

The CV boot had split on the nearside rear, making the usual mess when these go. So Jon duly replaced this while Terry and I had a chat!

Thanks so much Terry for the bag of wonderful produce from your allotment. Yes, Jon, you’re having some veggies for tea! 🌽 – https://ift.tt/yfpgxBu

Rest In Peace your majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022.

Strong and steadfast throughout her 70 year reign. Gone but will never be forgotten.

Deepest condolences to her family at this sad time. – https://ift.tt/kCPXjA8

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – Day 5 Kilsyth

A very short commute this morning of just under a mile!

Really good to meet Colin this morning for work on his very tidy TF 135 (in LEF). He had bought the car knowing that the cambelt service hadn’t been done for approx 10 years, so asked if we could come up and carry out the cambelt service for him and also check over the car for any other potential issues. Including whether or not the head gasket may need replacing.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. The engine mount bolts decided to be awkward so we resorted to our Plan B.

An enjoyable mornings work in Colin’s company and the lovely ‘Bell’ his gorgeous lab, plus lots of cracking cuppas and a tray full of biscuits! Thank you Colin, much appreciated.

An earlier than expected finish and the only one booked in today, as we weren’t sure what we were going to. Always a good plan!

With a heads up from Colin on a decent walk in the area I popped on the walking boots and headed off. A lovely walk, along the canal and up to Bar Hill Roman Fort, and then the heavens opened, what followed was a torrential and relentless downpour of biblical proportions, a great walk all the same with some good views from the top. 🌧 – https://ift.tt/wUdQoRS

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – Day 4 Glengarnock, Lochwinnoch and Glasgow

Our second morning at Alan’s house for work on his TF 135 ‘Noel’. Alan had treated the car to a new stainless exhaust back box so we fitted this. Plus the car had developed an intermittent high revving when not under load. Code reading didn’t really show anything, so we narrowed it down to be the stepper motor. A replacement one fitted, and after a test drive this has resolved the problem.

We bid our farewells to Alan and the lovely Mabel and Bruce having had lots of cuddles again this morning.

We then headed up to Lochwinnoch as Alan had got chatting to his friend about his MGF that has been just sat in the garage for the past 7 years and he wasn’t sure whether the car was a keeper or he should let it go if it needed too much work, so he suggested that we pop over next time we were up. Good to meet Neil and have a chat, the car is definitely worth saving, a very tidy MGF Mk II mpi. Not too much needed to get it up to spec, so a date arranged for when we’re back up next year to get everything sorted.

We then headed over to Glasgow, David had also asked for us to take a look at his MGF Mk II mpi, that had also been sat for some time, and he wanted to get it back on the road. Full report to be done. Then this will be one for the workshop.

We’re now in our new digs for a couple more nights. Fab weather all day after another wet start. Arrived in Kilsyth in enough time for me get in a good hike up the hill, with some fab views. – https://ift.tt/wUdQoRS

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – Day 3 Glengarnock…

Just back at our digs now, following another fab day in Alan’s lovely company, which was spent tending to a couple of his amazing fleet.

First up was the TF 160 in Aurora for cambelt service. Belts, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced.

The back window had been split for a while so Alan’s been having to use the hard top, fortunately he had a spare hood with a decent window in it, so we swapped this over riveted it back place and looks really good now, plus the zip-puller was broken, but we always keep a stock of these on the van anyway.

Next up was the TF 135 in Twilight, it was also due it’s cambelt service, so cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. We had to go to our ‘Plan B’ as the engine mount bolts did not want to come undone. Plan B worked well we’re pleased to say.

Great run back to our digs, and we look forward to returning in the morning to get the exhaust etc sorted on ‘Noel’.

Lovely to see Andy too for a quick catch-up. Cuddles with beautiful Mabel and Bruce, will get a photo of them tomorrow

The weather certainly improved throughout the day, from a very soggy start, with lots of flooded areas on the way, it turned into shorts and t-shirt weather in the afternoon. – https://ift.tt/lU3QxwH

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – Day 2

Up early this morning and departed our digs in Auchencrow early this morning, missing out on their very good breakfast unfortunately, and headed over to Chryston, near Glasgow, where it was nice to see Ross again for some work on his TF 135 (in JFM), that we last saw a couple of years ago for cambelt service.

Ross had noticed a very slight coolant loss, so we carried out all of our usual checks and finally traced it to be coming from the spring clip on the underneath of the expansion bottle, that had lost its springiness, this was duly replaced with a new jubilee. Fortunately, for him it wasn’t the proverbial!

Minor service carried out. The EML had been coming on intermittently, however it had turned itself off by the time we got there. On code reading it came up misfire causing increased emissions. Coil packs inspected and plugs were changed anyway, as part of the service and all seemed good, although to note he has been using E10 fuel.

The passenger window wasn’t working, this was found to be down to a dodgy switch, this was replaced with another one that Ross had already bought, quite handily.

Gerry had been in touch asking if we could give his MGF (in JBH) a pump up when next in the area. The plan was for him to come over to us, but he got held up in traffic, as the Edinburgh bypass was closed in both directions, so we ended up going back over to him and met him at Gyle shopping centre. Car pumped up to factory spec.

As we were passing, we stopped in for much needed cups of tea at the Kelpies. 🫖 ☕️ Always great to see these two beautiful beasts.

We’re now in our new digs for the next couple of nights, ahead of our visit to Daisy Bank in the morning. – https://ift.tt/h9ljdEb

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – Day 1

What a cracking day we have had in Gordon, working on Alasdair’s very tidy TF 135 (in HFF) with cream Oxford leather seats.

Alasdair had bought the car back in 2016 and has done a fair few trips at home and abroad, but started, a few months ago, to experience intermittent overheating issues. Having tried a new cap and done some research the problem persisted, so he asked if we could come along and take a look.

On pressure test of the cap and the system it was evident that the head gasket had gone. All gaskets duly replaced, along with the thermostat housing, as that had also been leaking. The cambelt service hadn’t been done in Alasdair’s ownership so cambelt, water pump and tensioner all replaced too. New alternator belt, new cap and she’s all good to go again, ready for a trip to Portugal some time soon.

What an enjoyable days work, having a chat as we worked, lots of fusses with Seamus, an endless supply of tea and some fabulous weather too.

Thank you, Alasdair for your lovely hospitality, sorry we didn’t eat anything! We look forward to seeing you next year.

Back in time for a decent yomp and our second night in a very lovely little pub in a very lovely little village, having travelled up yesterday. Then we’re on the road first thing in the morning heading west… – https://ift.tt/RMDIaqk