Category: News & Updates

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 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

Day 1 of our North East trip…

Shildon was our first call where it was good to see Fred again for work on his TF 135 in Trophy Blue, which was booked in for head gasket replacement and cambelt service and replacement of the CAT.

When we removed the head it was evident that there was something more amiss, piston number 3 was slightly lower than the rest and on measuring on them it was 7 mm out. Unfortunately, when the head gasket had gone it had become acqua-locked. So the sump was removed and piston 3 taken out, and sure enough the con-rod had a bit of a twist and a bend to it. Fortunately, there was no further damage to any other parts. Code retrieved from the con-rod and it’s bottom half and the crank, in order for us to obtain a replacement, which we should have at the workshop. The cylinder head was also quite badly pitted around the fire rings, so this will be sent away for skimming.

One thing at least, he won’t need the new CAT we took as he’s better off staying with the original one that’s on it.

Once all parts are sourced and sorted we will return to get this car up and running for him. Fred had bought it knowing it had head gasket failure, but unfortunately wasn’t to know to what extent the damage was. He’s very upbeat about the whole thing which is good to see, as he knows that it can be put right.

Thanks to Fred for the brews, it was good to chat while we worked, we look forward to going back and getting this otherwise fab car all sorted for him and his wife, who is really looking forward to driving it.

From there we went up to Consett where it was lovely to meet Tom, who had contacted us a couple of months ago to ask if we could come over and investigate an issue he had found with his MGF 143, (which was originally in Anthracite, but he had the car wrapped). From his description and then running all of our usual checks it was found to be a faulty expansion tank cap. The misfire was found to be due to a faulty coil pack, so both of these were replaced for him. All error codes cleared and car back up and running as it should.

When he’d had the car wrapped the weather strips were missing from the car, so we fitted these back on for him. Tom will now take the car over for a new set of tyres and get a MOT on it all ready for him and his wife to enjoy some runs out over the summer.

We then continued a little further north to our digs for the next few nights. – https://ift.tt/T34RVJn

The first call of the day was in Knutsford for work on Andy’s MGF 1.8 mpi in JRJ.

He’d noticed some overheating so asked us to come and investigate. We had replaced the head gasket back in 2016 and the car had been fine with runs over to Italy and Switzerland etc. Unfortunately, when the cambelt service was done in the last year or so via another garage, plus having the PRT replaced and the engine bay pipes replaced, plus fitting a random bolt into the bleed screw outlet on the radiator, the system hadn’t been bled properly, and there were a couple of leaks from the engine bay pipes and from the bleed screw on the rad, plus a lot of air in the system. So today we put right all leaks and airlocks, including fitting a new water-pump as it was suspected this had been leaking too. Not always a good idea fitting water-pumps with an evaporation chamber as it’s handy to know if the water pump is, in fact, leaking. On running up to temperature and bleeding the system all seemed well. Andy was to run the car report back, unfortunately it seems that one or all of these issues have caused the inevitable to happen. What a shame, but these things happen and are easily rectified. It was good to see Andy again after all this time, can’t believe it was that long ago! Well we will be seeing him again once we manage to find a date to return and replace the head gasket once more.

From there we went along to Northwich to carry out the annual service on Clare’s Steppy ‘Cilla’ (in paint code IAI).

Minor service carried out, with replacement of the HT leads as the ones on it had some heat damage. Couple of other things noted and reported back to Clare. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see her properly this time as she was otherwise engaged with her work.

The last call of the day was in Salford where it was lovely to meet Alan and to see this Vandem Plas, which was rescued from a shed, having been abandoned there for quite some time. Once up and running it was noticed that the suspension was a bit clumpy over potholes etc, although the car still had a lot of bounce in it, once we measured it we noticed that it was lower on one side so we pumped the hydragas up to the correct height and she’s now looking a bit more balanced. How great that this car has been saved, it’s so fantastic. We hope to see Alan and his fab car at next year’s Pride of Longbridge event.

A long haul this morning with so many hold ups due to the volume of traffic on the M62, not too bad a run home, it was time to get the admin done at least and now we’ve just got back home. – https://ift.tt/9JOGfkl