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A delivery and collection day today.

We returned Rob’s pride and joy back to him in London this morning, so great to see the huge smile on his face getting his ‘baby’ back.

We then continued on to Ash Vale, near Aldershot to collect another one with a great history. After working on one of James’s other cars, last year, he had contacted us to see if we would continue with the work he and his Grandad had started. Almost back at NG to deliver our precious cargo to undergo lots of TLC.

A local one today, in Leeds for head gasket replacement on a Rover 75. What was supposed to be a NG day, was given up as Alaric was a bit desperate as he relies on the car for work etc. Great to meet Alaric and the sun shone all morning.

Back to the garage for a few things and to to load up Rob’s car ready for the morning.

Head gasket failure was diagnosed by us about a month ago when we were in the area, so we returned to New Hartley, near Whitley Bay this morning, lovely to see Steve again and his beautiful looking ‘Spark’, a TF 115 1.6. Whilst we were there we carried out cambelt service too. We had last done the cambelt when the car was with the previous owner. Great to work on it again. Terry popped over to see us, and the sun shone all morning, despite a rubbish forecast, so an enjoyable and sociable morning had.

From there we went a couple of miles up the road to meet James, who had been having a few issues with his MGF 120, over heating after only 10 miles, and losing coolant. Despite attempts at the local garage the issue wasn’t resolved. On pressure testing the system a coolant leak was spotted from two of the hoses, new clip fitted and other adjusted, no more leaks. Cap good. Fingers crossed this has resolved the issue, but only time will tell whether this was a result of something else or the cause of it. Fingers crossed for James!

We then popped over to see Terry’s Trophy, that he rang us about a couple of days ago, saying that there was a strange issue on start up. Code read and nothing significant came up. Started it and all fine, we think it may have been that it was totally filled with fuel, right up to the cap, and it may have not been able to pull the fuel through to the engine.

Really good day and managed to dodge the weather too!

Made our way up to Motherwell with a couple of calls on the way. Firstly we went over to Newbrough, just near Hexham, lovely to meet Malcolm (plus his adorable dog Jed) and his extremely tidy TF135. Malcolm has spent the winter months giving it lots of TLC and it clearly shows. We replaced the underfloor pipes, system bled and car running up to temperature nicely. A further date to be arranged in the summer for full cambelt service.

We then travelled on up to Selkirk as arranged, found the car, but no owner…weird, last time we worked on this car we never saw the owner then… Richard Hortin where are you 🤔

Found some great (last minute as usual) digs in Motherwell for the night before our call, just up the road, in the morning.

An interesting day and a bit of a different one working on a Westfield in New Malden, SW London. This fab car is fitted with the VVC 143 engine. The head gasket had gone, so we replaced this and also carried out the cambelt service as these were due to be changed, plus water pump and tensioner and a couple of other bits.

Unfortunately, we never got to hear it running properly due to an ignition barrel fault.

Despite the hideous, getting rather tedious, weather it was a good day and really lovely to meet James, lots of chats and welcome warming cuppas.

Thank you for the fill up of our travel mugs for our journey home James, we look forward to the video of the car when the ignition is repaired.

One more motorway to go and we’ll be home, good run back.

Couple of productive days at NG. We completed the work on Peters TF135 yesterday, new exhaust fitted, wing replaced, SRS light sorted and oil change.

We then carried on with the MGF Anniversary we have in to swap out the block as the oil pump had packed up and the crank had started to seize.

Had a call this morning in Welton to see Liz who has asked us to source a new hood for her well loved MGB.

Peter came to collect his TF and booked in for further work in a few months time.

Work then continued on Rob’s TF,
block removed and all ancillaries replaced today, plus new clutch fitted.

TOPLESS AROUND THE PEAK DISTRICT 2020 – in aid of UK HOMES FOR HEROES

We’re so pleased to be sponsors once more this year for this extremely worthwhile cause.

Please see the link below, which will take you to the website to read all about it. This is the sister run to Friends Round London. Both have Facebook pages available to see also on all the amazing and tireless work carried out by some fantastic people.

Ruth Evans has announced that ‘registration is now open’ for this years run, that she organises each year, which is taking place on Sunday 20th September and places are filling up rapidly.

Please don’t forget to donate and register on the website for your place.

http://www.toplessaroundthepeakdistrict.co.uk/

Wednesday morning found us near Sheffield, nice to see Pete again, for annual service on his great looking 1997 MGF. Hydragas pump up and replacement of the soft top also done for him.

From there we went over to Waltham to investigate what was happening to Julie’s TF135, from her description it sounded a bit like Lambda sensor, but on code reading it turned out to be one of the coil packs, so this was replaced and car back to sounding nice and smooth again.

Today, Thursday found us in Cannock Chase and good to meet Alan for head gasket replacement on another very tidy looking 2001 MGF. The gasket had been replaced just 2 years ago, but had failed again, and on 3 of the cylinders. Coil pack and full set of plugs needed also, as car was misfiring on cylinder 3. A very timely replacement of the alternator belt! See pic below!

Absolutely soaked to the skin, torrential non-stop rain all morning, as soon as we packed everything up and closed the doors to the van the sun appears. 🙄🥶