Category: News & Updates

Polmont & Bellshill…

Day 4 of 7 – Latest Tour North.

A departure from our digs in Dunfermline this morning to head over to Polmont, near Falkirk, for work on Stuart’s ‘03 TF 135 in paint code LEF, that he had bought earlier in the year.

This morning we carried out full cambelt service for him. We did have to resort to Plan B as the engine mount bolts didn’t want to come undone. On our initial inspection of the car we noticed that the coolant was low in the tank, and a lot of staining underneath the thermostat housing. So we pressure tested the system and the leak was found to be coming from a split in the outlet hose from the block. Fortunately, for Stuart, it wasn’t the latter. New hose from our stock fitted and she’s all good to go for him.

What a pleasure it was to meet Stuart, at last, and have lots of great chats while we worked. Not to mention a very constant flow of a cracking brew, along with a supply of Tunnock’s! Lovely to meet his wife Fee and their lovely cats Chloe and Charlie.

We bid our farewells and headed over to Bellshill, for work on Stevens’ ‘02 TF 160
in paint code JFV.

The head gasket had gone on ‘Maggy’ a couple of months ago, so he asked if we could get to see him on our next trip up, so with this unscheduled trip we were able to happily get things sorted. Such a shame he had to miss the Highlander.

We had originally worked on this car in 2020, when Steven had won the charity auction for a cambelt service for FRL.

Big thanks to Stevens Dad, Tommy, for looking after us while he was at work, great to have a chat with him while we worked. Good to see Steven when he came back this afternoon. He’s planning on a long overdue run out this evening, with the added bonus of some sun.

We said our farewells and headed west, to where we find ourselves now in our new digs, for a couple of nights in Irvine. – https://ift.tt/uGIEHnw

Perth & Cupar…

Day 3 of 7 – Latest Tour North.

We headed along to Perth this morning to our first call of the day, for work on Steve’s ‘04 TF 160 80th Anniversary in paint code PBT. Quite a rare one in that not only was it a top spec 160, it also had aircon fitted. Don’t know of many out there with that.

Full cambelt service carried out, new alternator belt and replacement of the expansion tank, complete with coolant alarm, that he’d left for us to fit while we were in there. Pektron unit removed too, as he only had one fob and had arranged for it to be sent to Technozen, so we’ll pop that in the post for him.

Unfortunately, didn’t get to meet Steve, but glad we were able to get his car all sorted for him. It’s obviously been well cared for in the past as every bolt was copper greased and nothing mucked about with.

From there we headed over to Cupar, where it was great to see Ewen again and to meet his new family member, Brodie.
Sorry, should be talking about his car, but slightly distracted with a very gorgeous cocker spaniel!

Minor service was due, this time, on his LE 500, number 284.

Great to have a chat with Ewen and fusses with Brodie before we headed back over to our digs in Dunfermline.

We managed to dodge the forecasted rain, and the sun finally made an appearance, when we got back, so I took myself off for a walk to Pittencrief Park and Dunfermline Abbey. What a beautiful place, well worth a visit if you’re ever in the area. – https://ift.tt/jLnRz7Y

Holywell, Bedlington & North Broomhill…

Day 2 of 7 – Latest Tour North.

A departure from our digs in Gosforth this morning for our first call of the day in Holywell, to see George and his latest project, a MGF 1.8 mpi in paint code COF that was needing a hydragas lift. Great to see him again and have a chat before heading on our way to the next call.

This was in Bedlington where it was lovely to meet Paul for work on his, fairly new acquisition, of a LE500 (number 488) in paint code 106.

Minor service carried out, alternator belt replaced as well as the underfloor coolant pipes with stainless ones. A good chat with Paul was had while we worked, including a cracking cuppa and homemade cookies. Plus he’d heard that Jon was partial to a bit of cake!

From there we headed further north to North Broomhill where it was good to see Kevin as always. His Trophy was needed a hydragas check over. Great to have a catch-up and a cuppa with him and have fusses with his lovely woofer Monty.

We’re now on the road heading a bit further north to Dunfermline where our digs will be for the next couple of nights. – https://ift.tt/qzayPdu

Durham, Sherwood, Seaton Delaval & Seaton Sluice…

Day 1 of 7 – Latest Tour North.

Our first visit this morning was to Durham to see what was happening with Roger’s MGF 1.8 mpi. The car had, mysteriously, after a run out, decided it didn’t want to start again. Having been to see Roger a couple of times in the past he asked us for any pointers on what to do, unfortunately to no avail, despite his best efforts. On trying to hook up our P-scan there were problems from the off, so the only thing we could do was disconnect everything and reinstall it, surprisingly this actually proved to be the winning solution! The car is now no longer blowing fuses left, right and centre and the immobiliser is now working as it should, happily for Roger. Great to see him again and have a chat and a cuppa before we headed further north.

Next stop was to Sherwood, where it was lovely to meet Lorraine, for work on her Mk II MGF 1.8 mpi, in paint code JBH, that she’s owned for the past 22 years.

Full cambelt service carried out for her, along with alternator belt and hydragas lift. Good to have a chat with Lorraine while we worked and meet her lovely pooch Lily.

We then headed a few miles along the road to Seaton Delaval, for investigation of a problem with Rikki’s Lotus Elise S1. Rikki had got in touch a year ago, when we had given him advice and pointers as to what was possibly occurring, we didn’t hear from him again until a couple of weeks ago when we spotted a facebook post, saying he still had the same problem. So, today we set about investigating the issue and found it to be due to having HT leads and coil packs for a VVC model, when this one is a 120. The plugs weren’t in tight enough either and were very sooted up. So we replaced the plugs, coil packs and leads and it went from sounding lumpy as heck with a lot of movement on the engine to running an awful lot smoother. He’s still got a bit of an issue with having a decat, resulting in it running a bit too rich.

Unfortunately, didn’t get chance to meet Rikki as he was abroad on holiday, but his lovely mum welcomed us with a cuppa. She happened to mention that the back window on his TF wasn’t in the best shape, as a garage had undone the zip and had broken it, resulting in a taped up window panel and a moldy car. We carry zip pullers anyway, so we replaced this for them while we were there, which his mum was really pleased about.

Lovely to have a chat with her before we left to head on to our last call of the day, only a few miles along the road, to Seaton Sluice.

Terry had got in touch only yesterday about a problem with one of the spheres on his Trophy. They’d just completed the NC500 with no issues, only to find after their return that one of the rear spheres was leaking. These were refurbed ones that we had fitted for him a few years ago. So another one to be replaced for him, when we see him next in a few weeks time.

A long and busy day, but pleased to have got everyone sorted on the first leg of our trip and in good time too, with a quick peak at the beautiful sea front at Seaton Sluice on our way to our first digs tonight, in Gosforth. – https://ift.tt/qzayPdu

That was a bit of a different week from what we were supposed to be doing…

After arriving back last Saturday, we had planned on heading up to the MG Northumbria show at Backworth Hall, but we were a bit too tired, which is a shame as it looked great from the photos.

Monday morning found us at the workshop to take delivery of Mik’s MGF 1.8 mpi for investigation of issues that no one has managed to source, update on this one at a later date, our work continues…

John came over from Selby in his TF 160 in PBT for check over of error codes etc.

We then took Gary & Elliot’s MGF 1.8 mpi in COF round for its MOT, after we had replaced the radiator, as the one that was on it had more holes than a teabag. Upper ball joint was advised on, so we replaced it, which now completes the list of work on this car that we have been getting through when we could, alongside other work, as it had been to another place with a little bit of a disappointing and costly outcome for the owners sadly. But, happily the car has just been picked up this evening, and Jon was there to meet the courier. We’re looking forward to hearing from them when they get it back to them in Oxford, shame not to actually meet them, but busy lives got in the way.

Mick drove over from North Yorkshire on Wednesday morning in his MGF 1.8 mpi in paint code HAM, for investigation of an oil leak, thinking it may be the drive shaft oil seals again, it was found to be down to a faulty diff. Cheapest option is to replace the gearbox, so one is sourced and date booked in to replace. Good to see Mick for a chat and a cuppa.

Couple of days off on Thursday and Friday for my birthday and to catch-up with family, which was fab. Plus we went to see the latest Mission-Impossible film, which was great fun.

This morning we headed back to the workshop, where it was great to meet Dave, and his son Theo, for work on his TF 135 in paint code MBB that Dave has recently taken ownership of.

Minor service carried out and alternator belt replaced. Couple of little things sorted for him too. Good to have a chat with them before they headed back over to Grimsby, hopefully the torrential rain we had while they were there won’t follow them back and they could get the roof down!

That’s the van all restocked this afternoon and loaded up with all the kit required for our next trip for the coming week, another unscheduled one as we should have been on our hols in Greece, but needs must. It’s a full on week, starting in the north east in the morning and then heading to Scotland and finishing back in the north east next Saturday.

Fingers crossed this weather improves for everyone! ⛈️ – https://ift.tt/WQomMcg

Week commencing 3rd July – last day of tour to the West of the country.

Day 6 – Nelson & Colne…

We left our fab digs in Copster Green this morning and headed over to Nelson for work on Darren’s TF 160 in paint code IAB.

Cambelt service carried out, plus we noticed that the return hoses had no return to the expansion tank, so these were cleared out and car ran up to temperature. So she’s all good to go ready for the MOT and a run out to Pateley Bridge in a few weeks time.

It was really great to see Darren, Tracy and their fab gang and have time for a chat and a long overdue catch-up.

We then headed over to Colne to check a few things out on Neil’s fairly new acquisition of a TF 160, just to make sure the engine bay fan was working as it should and to trace a mysterious minor coolant loss. All our usual checks done and system bled. He’d noticed that after a run the engine bay was extremely hot, having owned a couple of MGs in the past, hadn’t really noticed this before. The exhaust manifold heat-shield was missing, so this was replaced with one we had with us. (very nice interior, pic below).

Good to meet Neil and Barbara and have a chat before heading back home.

Lovely evening with Maggy & Phil last night, made a really good change having time to sit down and enjoy a meal together. Another successful trip away, we packed in as much as time would allow, and met some really great people and their fab cars. – https://ift.tt/p4VQzg0

Week commencing 3rd July – tour the the west is nearing the end.

Day 5 – Friday – Hapton & Copster Green…

Our first call of the day was over to Hapton, which was a short hop from our digs in Burnley, where it was great to meet Paul for work on his fairly new acquisition of a TF 160 80th anniversary in paint code PBT. Already being an owner of a BRM he had fancied getting a TF. So he eventually came upon this one after a few attempts at buying it at auction.

Full cambelt service carried out for him, plus alternator belt, underfloor stainless coolant pipes replaced as his were a tad rotten. Plus, while we were there, he asked if we could replace all pads and discs as the car had been sat for many year without turning a wheel.

Date to be arranged to replace the wishbones and do a full underfloor treatment.

Brilliant day in Paul’s company chatting while we worked with a constant stream of cuppas!

We’re now in Copster Green, for replacement of two front wheel bearings on Maggy’s ‘Ophelia’, her TF 160 in paint code IAA. Well Jon’s doing that actually, while I’m doing the admin with some very good company. 🐾

The van decided to be a bit naughty and not want to start again when we arrived, but Jon’s worked his magic on that again. It’s a beautiful sunny evening and really lovely as always to see Maggy and Phil. – https://ift.tt/ILquk62

Week commencing 3rd July – tour to the west continues.

Day 4 – Thursday – Skipton & Burnley…

A departure from our digs in Thornley and a run over to Skipton this morning, where it was good to meet Tom, for work on his fairly new acquisition of a ‘98 MGF 1.8 mpi. Since buying the car 4 months ago he’s done a fair few miles and been loving it. Knowing that the cambelt service was due he asked us to come over and carry this out for him and also to do a preemptive head gasket replacement as he just wanted peace of mind and worry free motoring.

It’s actually a good thing that he did, as he would have been having a spot of bother sooner or later. On checking which gasket was fitted, we initially thought it was an elastomer, as there wasn’t a tab sticking out between the block and the head, but when we removed the cylinder head, it was in fact an MLS gasket, but the saver-shim hadn’t been fitted.

At some stage in the past a fairly large amount of the hideous k-seal had been added. The expansion tank was full of it. The inlet manifold was blocked and the return hoses were solid with the stuff, and not the usual thick gungey stuff, it was dried out. So all of these were cleared out, hoses removed then blown and flushed through, using various methods. Poor car!

All missing gaskets and bolts replaced and everything refitted. Car ran up to temperature and behaving as it should.

Tom only had one key fob with the car so a replacement one of these were programmed for him. Thanks to Tom for the cuppas and for the forecast not being as it was supposed to be and dodged the rain.

We now over in Burnley for the night, ready for tomorrow. Good to have time for a walk along the canal. – https://ift.tt/QndGZh7