Day: 6 April 2023

Day 3 & 4 of Scotland trip.

Lochwinnoch, Kilmacolm, Kilsyth, Grangemouth…

A very short commute from our digs yesterday morning to see Neil, in Lochwinnoch, whom we had met last year to discuss his options and help him decide on whether to put his MGF 1.8 mpi (in CMU) back on the road having not turned a wheel for 5 years.

Cambelt service carried out, along with all other service items, hydragas pump up, alternator belt, new expansion tank cap plus we replaced the inlet manifold gasket as we had found when there last that it was weeping coolant.

All done and back to rights and now ready for the MOT and to enjoy some time on the road again.

Absolutely tipped it down all day, so again thanks to deployment of the gazebo we were saved from most of it. An earlier than expected finish we went back to our fab digs for a welcome warming brew and dry off.

A departure from our digs this morning to head over to Kilmacolm where it was lovely to see Bob again and his MGF 120 mpi (in JRJ) for the annual service and pre-MOT check. Unfortunately, for Bob one of the last things tested on an otherwise faultless car was the horn, which failed to work. So we replaced the rotary coupler/squib with one that we always keep on stock. So the car is now good to go again for another year.

Thank you, Bob for the trays of tea, hot cross buns and Tunnock’s! And always so lovely to have doggy cuddles with the beautiful Brodie, what a character.

From there we went over to Kilsyth where it was great to see Colin again and his TF 135 Sprint (in LEF). Underfloor coolant pipes replaced on this visit. Thank you, both, for the butties and mugs of Yorkshire tea!

Whilst I was sat in my admin mode yesterday afternoon (having had a weirdly early finish) I received a message from Stephen in Linlithgow asking if we could possibly come over when next in Scotland to check out an overheating problem on his TF 115 (in MBB). As we were staying over in the area and the car was actually at his work located in Grangemouth, near to where we were staying anyway this evening, we said we’d come over if the jobs today went ok.

We ran all our usual checks, and with the information that was given on the work recently carried out, we investigated various scenarios and found that cylinder 2 had a misfire, which was found to be down to ingress of coolant. At least we’ve managed to find a date to come back and sort for him.

Good to meet Stephen and have a chat, his TF had an interesting stable mate. A Panther, very nice!! No Jon we can’t buy it! (Tempting though 🤭).

So, we’re now in another hotel ready for our call to Craig in the morning a few miles along the road.

What a welcome contrast in the weather today, from a dry morning to a sunny afternoon and evening. Good day with lovely people and welcomes and their fab MGs.

On a very sad note, that I must end with,
we received a phone call from Ian Piper last night informing us that Donna McCallion had very sadly passed away from a brave battle with breast cancer. He asked us if we could share it within the MG community. I’m sure a lot of people will remember her from her involvement in her own Facebook group, her enthusiasm and ownership of a number of MGs. We are so terribly sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace Donna. 😔 – https://ift.tt/wWncig5