Year: 2023

That was a busy and long couple of days, but at least the trusty steed stretched its legs and had a good test run, on our way back now on the A1 and the sun is shining still at 8 pm as start to write this, and get the admin caught up on.

Yesterday found us first near Sheffield for a job, but unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances they had got the day wrong, not to worry, the job had grown a bit anyway since first booking it in so just as well, and we’ve found an alternative date to go back and get everything sorted.

From there we went over to Drighlington where it was lovely to meet Tony and Alison for work on their TF 135, that was initially booked in for the head gasket, when we got there found out that the cambelt or any other services items hasn’t been touched for 7 years. Head gasket and full cambelt service all carried out, plus a very timely save on the alternator belt, which was very badly split and cracked. We had to resort to Plan B on the cambelt service as the engine mount bolts would not come undone.

Really good time spent working and chatting to Tony. Great to meet their lovely woofer Paddy too, and thanks to Alison for all the brews!

We then went back over to see Lee and Janet as their TF 160 following us replacing the head gasket and timing belt etc 3 weeks ago had a misfire on cylinder
2, on removing the plug from cylinder 2 Tony noticed that the spark plug hole had some coolant in the bottom. While we were mystified as to how it got there, having sent us a photo, as there are no coolant channels anywhere on that part of the cylinder head. He had tried wiping it out and it seems to very slightly return.

We carried out a cold pressure test, with the plug in and with the plug out, checked with the borescope inside the cylinder, then ran the car right up to temperature, and watched with the borescope while the car was under pressure, each test running for about 20 minutes, found no signs of any further coolant. While the car was up and running again, we checked out the diagnostics and checked for any mis-fires and none were recorded. A plan was made to test the car over the next week or so and if need be replace the cylinder head for another one that Lee has.

This morning we headed back to the north east for the two jobs that we had to postpone due to the van being out of kilter.

First call of the day was to Steve, in Alnwick, and his MGF 75th VVC in Mulberry (code CDM). Really great to meet him and Jon hadn’t realised that it was the same car he had replaced the head gasket on 14 years ago!

Full cambelt service duly carried out today for him. An enjoyable morning spent chatting to Steve, we took it at a steady pace as Jon’s a bit tired and I’ve got a stinker of a cold. Very nice car to work on which didn’t give us any grief.

We then headed over to Broomhill, and took the coast road, where it was lovely as always to see Kevin and Amanda and of course have cuddles with Monty! Kevin’s Trophy was still sitting a bit lop-sided so we had gone armed with a couple more spheres to swap out. Hope this has sorted it. Good to have a chat before we headed home.

Shame it was a late finish as we would have called in to see my aunt who only lives in the next village, where my mum just happens to be visiting this week. Well we didn’t want to have passed on any manky cold germs anyway.

A day off tomorrow to recharge the batteries. Although I’ve been meaning to do a piece about expansion tank caps aka coolant caps as there is a lot of varying ones out there at the moment that we’re experiencing and hearing a lot about causing issues.

Have a great weekend everyone, hope you can make the most of the lovely weather ☀️ – https://ift.tt/6vg0WY8

Well we couldn’t be more happy to have our trusty steed back on the road and fully functioning again. After our let down at the place we took it to last week we went down in convoy yesterday morning to pick it up and bring back to the workshop.

A massive thank you goes to Steve, our fab neighbour, at Black Sheep Customs, who stepped up at the eleventh hour and stayed until an ungodly hour last night to help Jon replace the gearbox and clutch.

They cracked on again this morning and got everything done and up and running by lunchtime today. Can’t thank him and Taryn enough. Taryn stepped in with the horrible clean up of just about every tool in the place that was covered in diesel grime.

Everything running lovely and smooth and so much quieter when we had a test run over to Hessle to return the hire car. What a relief not having to postpone the jobs we have booked in over the next couple of days, hate having to do that.

Thank you, again to Steve, you’re an absolute star 🤩 – https://ift.tt/x6kC8RD

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 MG Freedom Highlander 2023 ⛰️

What an absolutely brilliant long weekend spent at Nethybridge for a long awaited and much needed bit of time off.

With approx 11 MGTFs & MGFs coming from all over the country, joining in the runs at various points throughout stunning countryside and interesting locations. The trip to Applecross which should have happened yesterday was postponed as the weather was poor and wouldn’t have been much fun.

We travelled up on Thursday with a stopover in Gretna in our TF 135. Then headed up to Nethybridge. But we travelled home today in a different vehicle! Unfortunately, on Saturday on the way back from Johnshaven we noticed a couple of grumbling noises, and on inspection the nearside front wheel bearing had collapsed. So, long story short, the car was recovered and we collected a hire car from Inverness airport yesterday. We will await its arrival back home anytime this week.

We tried not to let it ruin what was such an enjoyable and fun weekend with fantastic people and their brilliant MGs.

Big thanks to Alan and Glenn for organising it all and to Nethybridge hotel for a super stay nonetheless.

So back down to earth and collection of the poorly van tomorrow from Wolverhampton that hasn’t been repaired as we had hoped. 😕 – https://ift.tt/UoSKfiT

Following the trusty vans recent monumental milestone, we knew that the gearbox at some point was going to need replacing. We lost a couple of gears coming back from Scotland, and since then has been very touch and go getting around anywhere. We had already made enquiries for it to have the repairs done, and on some recommendations we were lucky to get it booked in with a renowned gearbox guru in Wolverhampton.

Unfortunately, we were unable to get back up to Alnwick and Morpeth for the two jobs booked in yesterday, but happily both people fully understood and we’ve got them booked back in next weekend, so all good there.

So today we set off nice and early to drive down in convoy to Wolverhampton. A bit of a nervy trip only having a limited number of gears!! And dreading having to be recovered there with the pain in backside that all that entails! Fortunately, we made it and what a good impression of the chap we’ve left it with. Felt strange leaving it behind 🙁 but we look forward to going back to collect next week.

On our way back home we were able to call in to Belper, where it was lovely to see Ruth who had got in touch regarding her TF 135, ‘Destiny’ whose alternator had packed up. She fortunately managed to limp her home where she sat and waited for our visit. We went over with a new alternator and a voltage regulator. Alternator duly removed and as it wasn’t seized and still in good condition the regulator was replaced, which has resolved the issue and we’re pleased that the car is back up and running for Ruth again. Good to have a quick catch-up before we headed home.

The car we used today was our TF 135, and was looking somewhat scruffy, so she’s had a good wash and brush up, ahead of setting off to Scotland in the morning to take part in this years ‘Highlander’ event. Very much looking forward to it and having the bank holiday weekend off. – https://ift.tt/vx8kgBm

The 1st of May and a busy, but enjoyable day at the workshop…

Really good to meet Adrian there first thing for a few more things on ‘Pearl’ his 85th Anniversary TF. Adrian had been on Steve Gibson’s North Yorkshire run over the weekend so stayed over an extra night to come to us, which made the most of his trek north before heading back to Leigh-on-Sea this afternoon.

Adrian had tried an LE 500 and liked the feel of the gear change. So we sourced the gear selector and cables for him and fitted them today. Along with fitting new fog light bulbs, adjusting drivers side window to stop it leaking (hopefully!) and adjusted the steering wheel.

Great to see Peter who came over, from Leeds, with his TF 135 for a few things. Initially booked in for a CAT replacement, this wasn’t required as happily the car went through the MOT ok. The gasket was slightly blowing when we checked it so this was sealed up.

The clutch pedal was quite heavy, although he thought it was fine for ages until trying someone else’s, I think a few of us have experienced this over the years! Clutch arm duly freed off and clevis pins replaced on the slave cylinder and the master cylinder.

He’d also bought a replacement quick-release steering wheel to be fitted. But, after a bit of time between him and Jon looking into the fitments for it, it was found that the steering boss wasn’t compatible so couldn’t be fitted. We shall investigate further on this one.

Much better weather than what was initially forecast, so both Adrian and Peter enjoyed top-down runs back home. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/BlUr4FJ

Day 4 of our North East trip…

Another short commute from our digs along to Cramlington this morning where it was lovely to see Susan for work on her TF 160 ‘Tracy’.

We had gone prepared for a full cambelt service, but then we all realised that it wasn’t actually due until July of next year. So minor service done anyway as that was due and also a pre MOT check.

The offside front ball joint had done it’s time so this was replaced. The nearside rear control arm bushes were very worn so the arm was replaced. Nearside front was very clunky so we greased up the top arm and this resolved that issue. The washer jet was completely blocked on the drivers side so this was cleared.

Everything else good so she’s all set for the MOT once Susan is in a fit state to drive her again. Poor Susan had a bit of a traumatic time recently and badly injured her knee, so understandably she’s been very frustrated not being able to get out and about like she normally does in her MG seeing friends and heading out on runs. We wish her a very speedy recovery. Lovely to see her today and have a catch-up. Great to meet her friend Dave who popped over to meet us and who is also very keen on getting himself a TF.

From there we went along to Blyth for the annual service on Tony’s TF 135. We’d met him last year and hadn’t known at the time that it had once belonged to George, whom we were at 2 days ago, and we’d actually carried out the cambelt service on it many years ago.

Minor service done, plus a couple of other things. The inlet cam-shaft oil seal on the inlet side was leaking oil quite badly and was advised on at the MOT that there was an oil leak from somewhere, so this was the culprit, it had been gunked up with a load of sealant. So this was dug out and cleaned up, new seal fitted. Mike Satur pedal pads fitted. Reverse sensor box removed as it just makes a noise and doesn’t really do anything else except annoy the neighbours in a morning!

Good to see Tony again, date to be booked in for next years service. Lovely to see Steve again as we’d forgotten to stamp his service book yesterday and only lives round the corner.

A hassle free run back home. Both a bit tired now, but what a great trip, amazing hospitality, lovely people and their fab cars. Our digs couldn’t have been better either. – https://ift.tt/HBk0ACW

Day 3 of our North East trip…

Another short commute along from our digs to Seaton Sluice for a service day.

First up was Terry’s MGF Trophy (in FAR) for replacement of the O-rings on the rear hydragas connections, as since we had replaced the spheres there was a slight bit of damp noticed by Terry. Rear window wiring, relay and switch fitted plus the minor service. All set now for their NC500 trip.

Next up was Ian’s TF 135 post LE 500 run car, in paint code 289, for the minor service.

Then last but not least was Steve’s TF 135 (in JFV) for its minor service.

All cars checked over and expansion tank caps pressure tested.

What a sociable day, really great to see everyone and have a catch-up and natter while we worked, lots of cuppas and a lovely lunch laid on! Thank you, so much Terry for your hospitality. It never feels like work on days like today. Plus the drizzly rain cleared up and turned into a decent day.

Made the most of the early finish and I walked along from there to Tynemouth to meet Jon who enjoyed a bit of a snooze after his lunch. We took Steve’s recommendation and went over to St Mary’s lighthouse to see the seals basking on the rocks. Well worth a visit. – https://ift.tt/pzcyNft

Day 2 of our North East trip…

Holywell was our first call of the day for work on George’s MGF 143 (in HAM).

Head gasket replacement, cambelt service and replacement of the underfloor coolant pipes all carried out today for him, on this, great looking, all original spec car that he’s owned for many years.

It was really interesting to see the other cars in his collection and have a good chat, with thanks to him for his lovely hospitality, many cuppas and bacon sarnies.

From there we went over to Cramlington, where it was lovely to see Jim and Jennifer again. After having some annoying battery discharging experiences, Jim had eventually sourced the fault to be down to the alternator, after swapping this out the problem was solved, but having heard about the remote battery isolators was keen to have one fitted to reduce any further issues with the battery draining itself and thus rendering the car none drivable at the last minute!

Thanks to them both for their, always, warm welcome and a sit down, with a catch-up over tea and cake 🍰 – https://ift.tt/pzcyNft