Author: Jon & Claire

Back on the A1 heading home after a busy day in the north east. We went to see Andy Brown in East Rainton as he had experienced some over heating issues, as suspected after pressure testing it was head gasket failure. On removing the head it was evident that coolant had been leaking into cylinder 2. At the MOT Andy had been told his rear bottom bushes on the shocks were worn so we took the bearing press with us and some new bushes, these were duly pressed out and in. Great morning with lots of chats and laughs, and a visit from lovely Stuart Clarke. Cracking catering too thank you Andy!

We then popped down the road to visit another Stuart who had called a few days ago, following a recommendation from Steve Miller, about the recent purchase of a beautiful looking MGF Trophy. The car was prone to overheating after 20 miles so asked if we could diagnose the problem. After pressure testing and inspection of the cylinders etc it was evident that although the head gasket had recently been changed there is a possibility of it leaking again in to one of the cylinders. Although not ruling out a thermostat issue. Date booked in to return to sort plus some other work.

We then went to see Ken in Spennymoor who had also called a weeks ago saying he had a problem with a stuck bolt in the subframe whilst replacing the front lower arms. After some time with the appropriate tools Jon successfully removed said annoying bolt. Good luck with the rest of the arms Ken, hope the rest doesn’t give you anymore grief!

Despite the continuing rubbish weather we had a really great morning in Harrogate with Patrick & Dan. Patrick’s very tidy MGTF 1.6 had shown signs of HGF, after pressure testing and code reading etc it was definitely the case.

No damage to the head and everything looking good. Stainless underfloor pipes also replaced and the clutch release arm was freed off.

Great chats and tons of cuppas, bacon sarnie and gorgeous homemade bread thank you! Fab to meet lovely Bertie too and have lots of fusses.

Thornborough near Bedale was our call this morning to meet Glen for head gasket and cambelt service on his MGF 143. The hose for the heater inlet/outlet was split so this was replaced. Pic of the gasket showing heat damage.

All done as quick as possible to dodge the next downpour! Lovely to meet you Glen, thanks for the chocolate shortbread.

Biggleswade was our destination this morning to meet Richard and his very lovely looking MGF 143 in Alumina for cambelt service.

All bolts came undone easily, car running great and on ECU check only some historic codes came up related to the Lambda sensor.

Thankfully we had Richard’s (fab!) garage to work in out of the steady downpour. Great to meet you both, thank you for the cuppas.

After leaving our lovely digs near Ross-on-Wye this morning we went over to Brecon to meet Anne, who had been experiencing overheating problems with her lovely looking TF160. After pressure testing and investigation it was evident that the head gasket had gone, so this was replaced and whilst there we carried out cambelt service. We were told that unfortunately the local garage had put steel seel in it!! After doing the head gasket it was apparent that it had blocked the radiator. So after enquiries with our contacts and resources we have managed to locate a rad and will be taking a planned morning off on Sunday to fit.

Following this we headed back to Gloucester to see Alex again as after we replaced the head gasket yesterday the car was still having temperature issues, as the car was bought as a project with known problems we had narrowed it down to a circulation issue which had caused the head gasket to blow. So after replacing pipe clamps on some of the hoses and replacing the thermostat the car is now behaving nicely.

What an absolute continuous deluge we had all day, soaked to the skin, but thankful of a steady stream of cuppas and lovely homemade scones from Anne and offers of food.

Gloucester was bathed in sunshine again which gave us chance to dry everything out! Plus charge my phone, thank you Alex to your lovely grandparents. Really fab to see their cars and have a chat.

A good start to the day seeing Kevin in the hotel car park in Pontypool for replacement underfloor pipes on his TF135, a good bit of planning! All went well with no awkward bolts. Great to see you Kevin, shame we couldn’t get Marcus sorted!

Having sourced a radiator for Anne we went up the hill to remove it from a car, thank you so much Andy for letting us do that!! You will make someone very happy tomorrow!

On our way home now after a long but successful day. We went to see Terry’s TF160 in Braintree again. He had had a lucky escape when his bottom pulley had come undone causing damage to both bottom cogs allowing the cambelt to cut through both upper and lower covers but miraculously not slipping a single tooth! The bolt had obviously not been tightened fully when the car had had a cambelt service elsewhere in the past. We fitted new bottom pulleys and new covers. All back up and running nicely again.

From there we went to see Andy again in Sudbury following diagnosis of the problem last week on his friend Claire’s TF135. We fitted a new fuel pump and problem solved, car sparked in to life having been stood for 2-3 years. Cambelt service also carried out and a couple of other bits. Really great to get the car back to rights again, now time for the MOT. Thanks for all the cuppas and yummy cakes!

We then went over to meet Stewart in Leavenheath near Colchester whose recently acquired TF115 had started having problems with a slow & clunky window. We went armed with a new window mech but after Jon spent some time doing some adjustments problem was solved. Whilst there, Stewart asked us to see where a weird squeak was coming from. Previous owner had obviously had a problem with the bonnet release and had not refitted the bracket underneath the radiator cover, so this was duly fixed and annoying squeak gone! Great to meet you Stewart, don’t forget to do the wave 👋😃

Some pics below of some quite remarkable damage to the timing covers and pulleys.

So the trusty steed of the van has finally gone in to be rescued and have a new engine fitted.

Not bad since doing 378,000 miles and visiting quite a few countries!

Once we got back from our fab visit to Bakewell we picked up the hire van, went home, loaded all the kit into it and then took the beasty over to the Hull Engine Repair Centre.

So if you see this arriving down your street soon you know it’s us!