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When we last saw Tony in Macclesfield we took out the Pektron unit for him on one of his TF’s, in order to send off to Technozen, as the central locking relay had given up. So we returned today to refit it for him. Unfortunately, the battery was flat and the bonnet release was broken, so what was supposed to be a quick fix turned into a full morning of getting into the car and then the bonnet.

We got the doors open and into the bonnet eventually. Pektron unit refitted and new bonnet release fitted. We like a challenge! Really pleased for Tony that his car is back up and running again.

We then went over to Bramhall and good to see Stephen again. He had noticed a small amount of coolant loss, and from his description it sounded very much like the thermostat had sprung a leak and sure enough on pressure test it was evident that that was what the problem was. New thermostat and housing fitted, system pressurised again and no more leaks.

The car was sitting a little low so hydragas topped up, now looks a lot better.

A successful day and we even managed to dodge the rain somehow.

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Good few days at the workshop on this great looking TF 135, with an early start on Monday morning.

• Pre-emptive head gasket replacement carried out

• Cambelt service done

• Full underfloor treatment carried out

• Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless steel

• Full grill set replaced

• Exhaust control valve opened up

• Valet

• Under bonnet shiny kit fitted

• Removal of split rear screen, which we have sent off the brilliant company we use in Ireland.

Few other niggles sorted.

Car and the owner, Andrew reunited this afternoon.

Lovely to see Ray again, this afternoon, who brought his, also lovely looking, TF 135 (in the same colour) over for minor service and for us to sort the SRS light out. On code reading it was found to be the pre-tensioner, so we replaced this and problem solved.

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Great to receive Andrew at the workshop this morning for work on his TF 135 for some work over the next few days.

Local call after that this afternoon to try and resolve a none starting issue on Bob’s very nice looking MGF 120 mpi. On code reading it showed the crank sensor to be at fault, so replaced with a new one and still didn’t want to start. Had compression, spark and fuel. So next step is to try coil pack and distributor cap to see if the spark is just too weak.

Busy evening on the old admin.

Got the best valentine present from Jon. Who needs flowers, chocolate or even cheese, I just need these!! 😀🔥

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First call in Chesterfield this morning to see Stephens very tidy TF 160 that was having a couple of minor issues.

One of which was a slight coolant loss, on pressure testing the system found one of the hose clips to be loose. Battery had died on him a couple of times, so we advised him to get a new one with more amperage, in order to cope with the colder weather as it’s the cold cranking that makes the difference on these cars. Stephen also thought that a problem had occurred with the power steering, on these cars if they are stood for a while sometimes the power steering ECU thinks there is an issue and turns the power steering off, once the car moves again it registers that all is ok and switches it back on again. Handbrake adjusted as there was a bit of free-play on it. Tested the voltage on the alternator, which was kicking out 14.02 volts, which is fine.

We then went a few miles along the road to Calver to see John again and his very tidy MGF VVC that was also having an issue with loss of coolant. John had spotted a couple of leaks, so on pressure testing we found where they all were and fitted new clips, which resolved the problem. Pressure tested the cap and checked every other pipe union just in case.

We last saw this car a couple of years ago when Jon replaced the VVC mechanisms, John says it’s the best thing he has had done to the car, it went from sounding like a diesel to a sounding like a sewing machine.

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Banshee 2, Adrian’s fab Trophy 160 was in need of some work, so we made our way to Coalville this morning.

Another sphere replaced on the rear offside this time. Welding to nearside sill. Rear discs and pads replaced.

Adrian had waited that long for us to come he had forgotten we were going! Lovely to see Leigh and Hayley who made us a very welcome cuppa on another freezing cold day. 🥶

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I know we shouldn’t complain as it’s our decision to work outside, but today really was exceptional, think we experienced a wind chill factor of -15! Anyway, whinge over it was a really good day apart from that…

We eventually got back to see Pauline this morning in Birmingham who was needing a heater control valve, found on our last visit to be faulty. We managed to get hold of a couple of these seemingly rare parts (no longer available from new) from the lovely Mr Bell.

Once fitted we filled up the coolant only to find it leaking from the thermostat housing. We pressure tested the system and found the heater inlet/outlet hose to be leaking too. Unfortunately, Pauline had been topping the car up with water rather than anti-freeze and it had frozen the front hoses solid, including the radiator.

New thermostat housing and new hose fitted. Then with a couple of electric fans we set about defrosting everything. Eventually after a couple of hours we managed to get flow in the system. Using neat coolant to replace.

Some photos below show an icicle from the heater control valve! Car up and running nicely again and Pauline is so happy to have heat in her heaters again. Couple of other things done.

Then on to Holbrook. Really lovely to see Ruth again and see what was occurring with Destiny, her fab TF 135.

Door lock mechanism replaced as the current one was on its way out. We went armed with a ignition barrel as she had been experiencing a problem with it not turning, but on inspection the problem seemed to have rectified itself, Jon’s magic touch!

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Local call in Harrogate this morning for head gasket and cambelt service and great to meet John with his TF 135.

We managed to get into a very snowy and frozen car with a flat battery.

From John’s description of the symptoms, before starting any work, we pressure tested the expansion tank cap and as we suspected this was found to be the culprit!

Cambelt service carried out and new alternator belt fitted and of course a new cap. Very tidy car with a lovely interior.

Bit of a shorter day than expected, but just as well as it was a bit tough on the digits! 🥶

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Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Thank you, so much to the lovely Susan for the fab pressie in our new fleece delivery! They’re great and will look fab in ‘Bunny’! 😍

#annethomasworkwearltd

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.