Month: May 2023

Malton, North Yorkshire.

Adam had got in touch back in February regarding a 2003 TF 1.6 (in paint code JFV) that he’d bought a couple of months previously, which according to him was in a bit of a sorry state, so he set about giving it a new lease of life, having some welding done to the sills etc. He asked if we could go over and do the cambelt service and had thought that possibly the clutch was on its way out.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt and new expansion tank cap all replaced.

Fortunately, for him, the clutch itself was still good, but the slave cylinder was probably the original and had certainly done it’s time. This was duly replaced and the clutch release arm freed off and all the old manky clutch fluid flushed through.

Couple of other things sorted, missing bolts replaced, plus greasing up the front upper control arms. He’s got himself a real bargain, and pleased to see that he’s invested in the car and will have some fun over the summer.

Really good to meet Adam and have a chat, whose been the owner of a few other MGs in the past. Plus a bit of an earlier finish than expected. Just as well as we’ve got a crazy few days ahead at the workshop! – https://ift.tt/sJzifnp

Bank Holiday Monday over in Knutsford…

After nipping over, whilst on another call, a few weeks ago to see what was occurring with Andy’s MGF 1.8 mpi (in paint code JRJ) that was overheating we returned today to replace the head gasket.

We had originally replaced it 7 years ago, but unfortunately after Andy had done some work on the car himself he’d not bled it properly and there were various other issues causing the head gasket to go again.

He’d replaced the engine bay pipes but a couple of the clips were not seated right, and some of the coolant hoses weren’t led properly. The bolts on the engine bay pipes were too long and bottoming out resulting in the pipes not being secured to the block. The radiator bleed screw was leaking. Plus the system hasn’t been fully bled. So a combination of all of these things had caused the car to overheat, thereby taking out the head gasket. Which, is a shame as good on Andy for having a go at a few things.

Not to worry, all sorted and the car is now back up and running nicely again, and all set for the summer months.

A very warm morning with plenty of cuppas and chats with Andy while we worked. Plus the roads were quiet for that not so great haul over the M62. Jon fitted a the new turbo to the van yesterday, which was next on the list to do, so that had a good run and noticed a bit of a difference in power.

Back home in good time to enjoy the rest of the day. Hope everyone has had a good weekend where possible, there seems to have been quite a few events and runs taking place, good to see the pics. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/DNmdRXq

Warmley, Bristol & Harpole, Northampton …. Day 6 and the last day.

Another short commute this morning from our digs over to Warmley, where it was great to meet Neill for work on his 2002 TF 135 (in paint code HFF) called ‘Maggy’.

Cambelt service carried out along with the other annual service items, plus alternator belt and a new coolant cap.

Neill had noticed that the engine management light had come on last week and was bringing up a few error codes on his code reader.

On our investigation today found that one of the coil packs was faulty and the other one was the wrong one for that model, plus the HT leads were also old and tired.
When the garage had fitted his rear shockers they’d disconnected the lambda and forgotten to reconnect it, which resulted in the error codes that he was having issues with.

So we swapped out the ignition leads and coil packs for new ones, which then resolved the problem, and all error codes subsequently cleared, resulting in a nice smooth engine.

He’d asked us to carry out a health check and see if the underfloor pipes needed changing. They’ve already been done and the car is in really good shape, and obviously been well cared for with its previous owner. Neill had carried out a couple of upgrades, such as fitting Mike Satur roll hoops, swapping out the seats and the door cards, resulting in a very attractive looking interior.

With thanks to his lovely wife Annie for all the brews including a freshly baked lemon drizzle cake that has come away with us and has so far remained in its wrapper on the journey home. That won’t last long once Jon gets sat down with a brew!

From there we headed north and called in to Harpole to see what was occurring with Neil’s TF 135. On a 20 mile run the temperature gauge would suddenly rise and then drop down to normal. The fans would kick in, but take a long time to cool it down again. We found very minor leak from the outlet on the block, and a blocked return hose that we had previously cleared once already. System fully bled, and hopefully this will have resolved this issue, Neil will take the car out tomorrow for a test run. Fingers crossed that it has. Date to be booked in for the cambelt service.

Nice to see Neil again and have a chat before we departed to head back home.

Lots of hold ups on our travels today, but we should get back home in daylight, where it will be great to see the cat. A productive, enjoyable albeit tiring tour with some really great people and their fantastic MGs. Plus plenty of sunny weather thrown in too.

(On a side note we’ve had to adjust the settings on our group to try and alleviate some of the chronic and rather frustrating spamming that’s been going on. Let’s see how that goes. Sorry if this has caused any inconvenience). – https://ift.tt/lW9TqDZ

Day 5 …. Winterbourne.

After departing from our fab digs in St Mellons we headed over to Winterbourne, near Bristol.

John had got in touch regarding his MGF Freestyle (in paint code MNX) that he’d owned for a couple of years. He’d done quite a bit of work on the car himself and had the head gasket done locally, so everything was all done on the car and running smoothly, apart from when he took the car for its MOT, they noticed that the SRS light wasn’t working. After investigating all possibilities himself and then getting an auto-electrician in, who told him it was the control unit, which he replaced, but still had the same fault. Then following our advice via messaging John tested all the continuity on all of the wires and still couldn’t find the fault, so he asked if we could come over and take a look when next in the area.

On code reading today, it was narrowed down to a fault with the airbag, or that part of the wiring loom. So a replacement rotary coupler (squib) was fitted and pleased to have a positive result in that the light is now off. Great to meet John and have a chat.

It was a less busy day than initially planned, and a weirdly leisurely start to the day. Our first call that was booked in was cancelled just before this trip, and despite our efforts we couldn’t really find an alternative booking of a similar size to replace it in the area, especially as we didn’t know how long the work on John’s MGF would take. Plus we’re a bit pooped anyway.

We’re now in our last digs of this tour, in a place called Hambrook. I took myself off for a decent walk, over to Stoke Park Estate this afternoon, what a beautiful place, well worth a visit.

Not too far a commute in the morning. Let’s hope this fantastic weather stays for a while longer ☀️ – https://ift.tt/lW9TqDZ

Heath, near Cardiff …. Day 4

A fairly short commute from our digs this morning to work on Krishan’s MGF year 2000 143 VVC (in paint code CAQ).

He’d owned the car for some time, and had hoped for a local garage to carry out the work, but couldn’t find anywhere that would take it on. Then he heard about our mobile services and asked if we could come and see him on our next trip to the area.

Head gasket replaced, the one on it was a Mk II elastomer, all the other gaskets replaced. Gave everything a good clean up as we went along, as unfortunately, the dreaded k-seal had been added at some point. On removing the expansion tank, it was so blocked the coolant didn’t flow out! We didn’t know prior to our visit that it had been added so were concerned that it may have made its way to the heater matrix etc and then you’re in all sorts of trouble. The return hose was blocked, so this was cleared. Car finally ran up to temperature and pleased to see all good and running smoothly.

K-seal really is one of the worst things you can add to your k-series engine, Krishan was lucky that it hadn’t caused any further damage to the head, as we’ve seen before, by completely blocking all coolant and oil channels resulting in a trashed head and the expense of needing a replacement.

Cambelts, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. Plus the expansion tank cap, please see pic below, these ones are renowned to fail and, subsequently, will cause all sorts of expensive problems that you really don’t want.

Baking hot day again, shame not to meet Krishan, as he was away, big thanks to his lovely partner Karen who kept us supplied with mugs of tea and muffins. We’re pleased to have got his MG back up and running again for him to enjoy as it should be. – https://ift.tt/HzkyYbW

Caerphilly …. Day 3

A day of welding and fabrication for Jon today over in Caerphilly on one of Gareth’s fleet of doer uppers. Front and rear offside sills needed some attention.

The rear was quite a big section to do, but is now solid, complete with rain channel and inner supports.

Everything etched primed, sanded and smoothed over with filler and then undercoated ready for the colour to go on.

Great to meet Gareth briefly as he was busy working. But he very kindly left out a stack of teabags and a kettle for us. Absolutely baking hot day and a long time on fire-watch for me. On the sanding stage I managed to sneak off for a walk up Caerphilly mountain, cracking views on such a clear day. Bit of a dingley dell run over this morning, but all the same some great views. Found a better and easier route back to the digs though. – https://ift.tt/lrtYGpP

Pontypool & Abertillery …. Day 2

One of our calls today was in Abertillery where it was lovely to see Steve again for work on his very low mileage ‘05 TF 135 (in paint code CEV).

This visit was for minor service, pre-MOT check, clear out of the washer pump and hoses as they were all gunked up, and needed a little extra cleaning other than with a pin! Two new key fob cases fitted as his Pektron ones had crumbled slightly around the buttons.

It was good to have a catch-up with him and his wife and have a look at their amazing garden, what an unearthed and hidden gem they have.

Unfortunately, the other call of the day didn’t happen. Car booked in for head gasket and cambelt service, but no one was at home, when we rang the number got an international dialing tone. A shame, but these things do happen. Ce La Vie.

But! It did mean that we were able to pay a surprise visit to our fab fiends Jan and Andy, in Pontypool, a little earlier than expected, whom we have not seen face-to-face for almost 2 years! It’s just crazy that it’s been that long, and definitely far too long. What with great weather meant we could sit for a couple of hours in their garden and have a brew or two. So lovely to be able do that.

We’re now in our new digs, for the next few nights, in St Mellons, where we’ve stayed before.

Also making the most of the change in the weather and our location I got up at the crack of dawn to have another decent walk through the beautiful space that is the Forest of Dean.

Not too far a commute in the morning to Caerphilly… – https://ift.tt/lrtYGpP

Up bright and early this morning to set off to Worcester, despite the early start hit very heavy Monday morning traffic all the way, eventually arrived just before 10, where Mark was waiting for us with the covers off his TF 135 (in paint code HFN) and a warm welcome. He’d owned the car for 6 years, having owned MGBs in the past.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced for him, he was aware that it was overdue and was wary of taking it out too far, but now he’s all set for some fun over the summer months.

Great to meet him and have a chat and a cuppa. Hopefully we’ll bump into him again at an event or show somewhere this year.

From Mark’s we headed along to Walford, near Ross-on-Wye where it was lovely to see Philip again and his TF 115 (in paint code JRJ).

We were due to visit him for the annual service anyway, but he’d got in touch saying that the car was losing coolant and had white smoke. When we checked today, as suspected, the head gasket had gone, having been fitted previously with an elastomer Mk II gasket.

Head gasket duly replaced with one of our MLS gaskets and all parts cleaned up of the gunk, and car back up and running smoothly once more.

An enjoyable afternoon chatting to Philip while we worked with some very welcome sunshine thrown in too.

We bid our farewells and headed further south to our digs for the night in Coleford. Such a beautiful evening I made the most of it and headed into the Forest of Dean for a walk. While heading down the hill back to the digs spotted a very nice looking TF Anniversary in Anthracite out having some top down fun, perfect evening for it. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/jxISz53