Year: 2025

Considering we had Monday off, as it was the bank holiday, which we hope you all enjoyed where possible, we’ve managed to pack a fair bit in to the rest of the week…

We found ourselves over in Bracebridge Heath for the minor service on John and Lorraine’s 2001 Trophy (in FAR). They’d had a recent issue with slight coolant loss, for which we’d posted out a cap, fortunately this was all it was, which they were understandably concerned about it being head gasket failure. Date booked in for next year when the cambelt service is due again.

Making the most of being in the vicinity we went over to Rimmer Bros for more stock.

We had a call over in Horncastle for the minor service on Gary and Trevor’s 2002 TF 160, which was one of the original press cars. Their neighbour Roger came over for a remap on his 2005 TF 135. Great to meet him and to have a catch-up with Trevor and Gary. Cambelt service is due next year so a date booked in for that.

Robin had brought his 1998 MGF 1.8 mpi (original paint code JRJ – but has had a respray) down from Hartlepool at the weekend to have a full cambelt service and replacement of all four spheres, the car is certainly feeling a lot more bouncy. It will be good to see him tomorrow when he comes back to collect.

A trip back over to Horncastle this morning, where it was good to meet Adrian and his fairly new acquisition of a 2003 FT 135 (in xpower grey – LEF). Short cambelt service carried out and a check over of a few things. When it came to removing the water pump found that the coolant wouldn’t drain away. He’d mentioned a few days earlier that he was having an issue and presumed it to be the proverbial. We removed a couple of the hoses and cleared these out and then discovered that the engine bay pipes had a blockage too, when cleared out it was evident that some stop-leak had been added at some point. Everything cleared and put back together and car ran up to temperature with no issues.

We then went over to South Leverton for work on Richard’s also new acquisition, a 2004 TF 135 also in xpower grey. His last one, that was originally booked in and that we’d worked on a few years back, had very sadly been written off.

So today we fitted a Brown & Gammons coolant alarm, underfloor stainless coolant-pipes and repaired the drivers door lock. Good to see Richard again and have a chat.

Work completed on Kevin’s Trophy that he had left with us, having had it delivered from Northumberland, MOT done and ready for collection when they get back from their latest adventure.

Back at the workshop in the morning to meet Robin and to do the final bits of prep for our overseas visitors, that will be with us on Monday morning, we look forward to greeting them once they’ve disembarked from the ferry in Hull and made their way to us.

Have a great weekend everyone near and far. 😎 – https://ift.tt/aIKAm7V

Always a good moment when the diaries for the following year are finally in print and delivered to you. I shall enjoy getting this one filled in as the notes and planning pages on the current one are getting a bit full and scraggy! 🤓 I like to be organised and plan ahead! 📔 – https://ift.tt/aIKAm7V

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 14 – 15 of 15…

After a departure from our digs, in Prestwick, yesterday morning, we headed along the road to Maybole for work on Karens 2004 TF 135 in Royal Blue – JFM, and Kens 2003 TF 135 in Nightfire Red – CBT, that were both due a cambelt service.

Full cambelt services carried out on both cars. Ken had reported only a few days previously that on his first run out of the year he heard a bang from the rear of the car and a resulting load of steam. We found that expansion tank had expanded somewhat. We replaced it with one from our stock. It remains to be seen however if it is in fact the proverbial that has caused it to go, Ken will monitor it and report back. One of the engine mount bolts was also questionable, so we had to resort to our Plan B.

Shame not to see Karen and Ken, as they were away on holiday, but their lovely son Sam made us most welcome, with cuppas and a bacon buttie for Jon. Thanks to Karen for leaving us a very generous tray-bake! Fab weather again too.

From there, we went on to Annan for our last lot of digs on this run. Not the quietest of evenings, staying above a club and a pub on a busy sunny Saturday night maybe wasn’t the best idea, haha, both kicking-out times were interesting!

So we set off nice and early to head down to Brampton, for what should have been the last job of the trip, where it was lovely to see David again for work on his 2006 TF 135 in Firefrost Red – CEV.

Short cambelt service carried out for him. We’d gone supplied with a new CAT and Lambda as he’d recently had problems struggling at the MOT with emissions. The CAT was found to be fine and it is an original one, on code reading we found it to be due to the Lambda sensor, which was one of the cheapo AMP sensors that don’t work. So we swapped this out, which has now cleared the fault.

After a chat with David and a stroke of his gorgeous puss we were on our way again, where we had a steady drive back over to Morpeth.

Had a bit of an issue with the vans clutch a few days ago, and unfortunately it gave up on us this morning on the way to David’s, so a roadside fix and replacement of the master-cylinder we were on our way again, still arriving half an hour early too.

We made it over to Dave’s back in Morpeth again to fit one of the rear control arms that have been quite elusive of late (please see first blog of trip). We managed to track one down with the lovely Jason Swinyward at MGTastic, big thanks to him for shipping it out to Dave’s for us. Arm duly fitted. The other problem Dave had been experiencing was a wobbly speedometer. We swapped out the cables and the sensor, long story short it was eventually fettled. It was good to see Dave again, it’s where this trip started and where it ended.

Thankfully we made it back home, in good time too, with only a few grumbles from the engine. So great to see our puss Binx aka Puddin who gave us a very vocal greeting.

What a long trip, it was always going to be a tough one, after everything and a lot to get done, but we did it!

Always made better by the warm welcomes and amazing hospitality that we have received, big thanks to everyone. We’re pleased to have your cars all sorted and ready for the summer months ahead. Here’s to more of this fabulous sunny weather.

A total of 1,201 miles, 21 cars and 10 lots of accommodation. A little fatigued now, but we have our own bed and a couple of days off to get turned around.

Thank you Scotland, we will be back! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 – https://ift.tt/FdaroIp

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 11 – 13 of 15…

Following a stopover in Dumbarton we headed on to Clydebank on Wednesday morning, where it was great to catch-up with Aldo again and his 2004 TF 135 (in Nightfire Red – CBT) that was needing its cambelt service. Full service carried out, all went nicely, on a weirdly freezing cold morning, thanks to Aldo for the warming cuppas!

From there we went over to Lochwinnoch to see Neil’s 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi (in Solar Red – CMU) that he’d reported was having difficulty with the clutch pedal. Clutch slave-cylinder replaced and system bled through, replacing the manky old black fluid. Good to have a catch-up with Neil again before heading off to our digs in Largs for the next couple of nights

Thursday morning found us at Alan’s, bright and early, for the start of a busy couple of days working on some of his interestingly ever depleting and alternatively growing fleet!

In no particular order we carried out the following…

2006 TF 135 (in Twilight – IAV) we hauled the big old bearing press up with us to replace the nearside rear wheel bearing that he’d noticed was on its way out. Rear discs and pads replaced, front discs replaced and calipers cleaned up. Cigar lighter repaired as he may be using this one for his and Andy’s holiday to France this year.

2003 TF 135 (in Typhoon – IAB) a fairly recent acquisition Alan that had wanted us to check out. The coolant was quite low in the tank, we found the heater control-valve was leaking so we replaced this, oil leak was due to a loosely fitting oil filter, this was replaced along with a few litres of oil, the noise in the engine he’d noticed was due to very tappity hydraulic-lifters, so a can of Wynn’s hydraulic-lifter cleaner was added, and after about 20 minutes the engine was sounding really smooth. We also fitted the stainless-steel exhaust back-box from his donor car, a bit of an improvement!

2003 TF 160 Sprite (in Le Mans Green – HFN). Another fairly new acquisition, which was in need of a full cambelt service, alternator belt and new coolant cap. We also replaced the wing mirrors and door handle from the donor car (poor Noel, bits of you will live on). New heater controls fitted and radio looked at, which was found to be duff. Shame we had run out of reverse-light switches, the one on Noel was duff too unfortunately. Other than that this would have been ready for its MOT. All in all it’s a really nice one he’s got himself.

His 2004 TF 160 (in Aurora – paint code MBB haha) had a blow from the exhaust, found to be coming from a broken flexi-section, we removed the one from Noel and fitted that. Cigar lighter checked over and cleaned up, as again this one may be used for the France trip and will be handy for phones and satnav.

Then that leaves us with ‘Bugsey’, his 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi (in Copperleaf Red – CDX). This car runs really well, once it’s going. It’s always been a little reluctant at starting, and when stopped at traffic lights etc. it starts to overheat.

So after some diagnostics and pressure tests etc, we replaced the spark plugs, which were in fact the wrong ones for the car, replaced the thermostat, the ECU temperature sensor. It’s still not quite right. But, Alan has some big plans for the car that we’re looking to do later in the year anyway. We actually think it’s the proverbial, this will get done as part of the plans anyway. It’s a lovely car and it’ll be good to get it to the spec he’s after.

A very busy two days work, we got everything done, which is great. Alan took the Aurora and the Twilight for the MOTs today, which both got a clean bill of health and will be ready for the adventures that await this year.

Great to see Alan and Andy and have a chat and a catch-up. They headed off this afternoon, while we were still there, for their weekend on the Highlander, at Nethybridge, which we must try and get to again next year, (if it goes ahead), it’s a cracking few days and we look forward to seeing everyone’s photos and updates.

We now find ourselves in Prestwick for the night. It’s a beautiful sunny Friday evening and as we made our way here saw that the pubs were all heaving and people making the most of this amazing weather. It’s tea, bath, telly and bed on our agenda, no such fun for us. We have our penultimate day of the trip tomorrow, not many miles south from here, in Dalrymple.

Have a fab weekend everyone, hope you can, where possible, get out and about with your tops down in the sun. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/jVi8hPO

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 9 – 10 of 15…

A very picturesque commute on Monday morning, to work, from our digs in Strontian to Acharacle, where we had two days booked in on some of Chris’s fleet.

First up was to check out a coolant leak on his 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi (in solar red – CMU). He wasn’t sure where it was coming from, a hose or the proverbial. On pressure testing the system we found that the two-way coolant outlet from the cylinder head had sprung a leak. This was removed, a new gasket fitted, which happily solved that problem.

Then onto his 2001 MGF Trophy (in Trophy Blue – JFV). Minor service carried out, all grease points greased and a hydragas pump up. We’d taken along a squib/rotary coupler as the horn wasn’t working, Chris had already tested the fuses, but there was a far simpler explanation, the horns had been disconnected. Bit of a result for Chris as lot less costly a job!

Next up was his 2003 TF Stepspeed (in x-power grey – LEF). Minor service carried out. Chris had concerns about the sound of the drive-plate, so this will come down to the workshop for replacement.

Then last, but not least, his 2005 TF 135 (in x-power grey – LEF). Minor service carried out, both front arms greased, rear discs and pads replaced. The front ones were in good condition so these will be done on our visit next year, so for now the front calipers and pads were cleaned up. One of the caliper pins had snapped and was corroded so we replaced this with new.

Having such a productive day and getting everything done on the list we ended up having another day off! We had intended traveling down to our digs after we’d finished at Chris’s this afternoon/evening. So instead got a nice early start this morning, left our, it has to be said, fantastic digs in Strontian and headed over Oban, to have a wander and purchase the obligatory fridge magnet. Amazing weather again and stunning scenery en route.

Really great to see Chris as always, and chat to him while we worked and lovely to feed the abundant wildlife too. Big thanks to Chris for all the teas and Tunnock’s. We look forward to seeing him later in the year at the workshop with his Steppy.

We’re now in our next digs in Dumbarton for one night, with not too far go in the morning to Clydebank for the first call of the day. – https://ift.tt/cODJfkm

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 5 – 8 of 15…

After a stopover in Inverness for the night on Wednesday, we headed off nice and early on Thursday morning to Kiltarlity, where it was great to meet Gordon, Kate and their very bouncy retriever Darwin.

The first job of the day was to carry out a full cambelt service on Kate‘s 2003 TF 160, in Le Mans Green, that she’s owned since the car was a year old and used to be her daily car.

There was also quite a bit of an oil leak that Gordon had mentioned, this we found to be coming from the hydraulic plunger, so we replaced both of the gaskets in the plunger, which has cured it.

The MOT tester had commented on the back box the last couple of times and Kate had fancied a stainless one, so treated herself to a MGOC super-sports, which suits the car and has a very nice tone. As the cambelt service was quite overdue she’d not been using it, so is now excited to get out and about and enjoy the car again.

The next job of the day was to carry out a short cambelt service on Gordon’s Caterham.

He’s owned the car for almost thirty years, having had many adventures in it, including a run round the Nurburgring and what sounds like an amazing trip across America, over three to four weeks, with 20, or so, other Catherhams. Some great stories shared, throughout the day, between us all.

From there, we headed along to Dingwall and to our digs for the next three nights.

We got cracking bright and early on Friday morning with only a few miles to travel, up the hill, to Eddies house. Whilst there last April we had arranged for a couple of days work with him.

First job of the day was to carry out a full cambelt service, we’d last done this for him at his previous home, so all went nicely with no awkward bolts.

Next job of the day was to replace all four of the hydragas spheres, we’d taken a set of our refurbished ones with us. He and his wife had noticed the ride had become quite harsh, so hopefully this will have given them some comfort back.

The plan was for us to return on Saturday and replace the resister pack, being an aircon model we had made allowance for this, but Eddie decided he’d live without it for now and was just so happy with the other work carried out, it’s given him the chance to use it more often.
Really good to see Eddie again and have a chat while we worked, big thanks to him for his fantastic hospitality too. Plus it was lovely to have doggy fusses with Mervin and Chewbacca.

So we had Saturday off! It was very welcome as was we were feeling a little bit pooped.

So that brings us to today, Sunday. We departed from our digs in Dingwall and took a steady drive down to our new digs for the next couple of nights. We stopped off for cuppas at the Loch Ness centre and in Fort William on the way, with such good weather and stunning scenery. We’re now in a very remote spot, with only a short distance to our next call in Acharacle in the morning.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend getting out and about, where possible, enjoying some very favourable weather. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/Ail9STk

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 1-4 of 15…

We’re now up in Inverness, for the night, following our fourth day on this current trip.

We started off with our first leg on the morning of Sunday 4th, in Morpeth, for some work on Dave’s 1997 MGF VVC (in Diamond White II) that he’s owned for over twenty years. We replaced the middle section of the speedometer cable, only to find that this hadn’t resolved the issue, we will return on our way back down at the end of this trip, and to replace one of the control arms. Thanks to them for a brew and a bacon butty on a very cold morning.

From Morpeth we headed on up to Lockerbie for the night, ready to carry on to Carmyle on Monday morning.

Monday morning found us over at Glenn and Susan’s. When Glenn had been replacing the headlights on his TF 135 85th Anniversary he’d noticed that the condenser for the aircon was badly corroded, along with the radiator that was starting to show signs of corrosion. Plus the bonnet lock cover had seen better days. Glenn had managed to source the condenser, along with a pump and pipes. As the pump and pipes were all in really good order still it was decided to just replace the condenser. New radiator also fitted, along with a stainless bonnet-lock cover. The gear selection was being a bit notchy so both gear cable ends were replaced, the bracket was slightly bent too, so this was straightened out and the gears are feeling loads better. Both front track-rod-end ball-joints replaced and car all good to go again.

Really lovely to see Glenn and Susan and have a catch-up. Thanks to them for the tons of tea and Tunnock’s! Plus the sun shone all day too.

From there we headed up to Kirkintilloch for the night, where we had a short commute, of a couple of miles, the following morning on Tuesday.

Neil had bought himself a 2003 TF 1.6 (in xpower grey) a couple of years ago as a project. Having done a lot of work himself he wanted the clutch replacing as a preventative measure, as he felt it was a bit on the stiff side anyway. So full clutch replacement carried out along with a new clutch release-arm. A couple of awkward bolts, but all in all a good one to do.

It was great to meet Neil, who had nipped back down from the rally event he was at, with his family, in Fort William. Thanks to him for the provision of a constant flow of cuppas.

From Neil’s we set off to head further north to our next set of digs in Dunfermline.

From Dunfermline, this morning, we headed over to Cupar, where it was lovely to see Ewen again, great to have a catch-up with him whilst we carried out the minor service on his 2009 LE 500 – number 284. Thanks to him for the tea and Tunnock’s! We look forward to seeing him again next year when the cambelt service is due.

From Ewen’s, we had good run up to Inverness, with fab weather again allowing for the amazing scenery that Scotland provides, and enough time to get out for a decent walk when we got here. It’s not too far for our commute tomorrow morning, over to Kiltarlity. – https://ift.tt/pFjmYuV

Bowmans Ridge and Poachers Hide were our destinations on a bright and sunny Monday morning to start off our week.

First call of the day was in Spilsby for the annual minor service on Denis’s 2004 Stepspeed. Lovely as always to see him and his wife and have a quick chat before heading down to Gosberton.

Emma’s 1999 MGF was also due its annual minor service, plus she had a couple of advisories on the last MOT that she asked us to sort. Great to see Emma again.

Our first call on Tuesday morning was in Wilberfoss for the annual minor service on Derek and Margaret’s TF 80th anniversary, and also to replace the gear cable ends as he’d noticed it getting a bit sloppy getting into gear on the forward and back motions on the gearstick. Lovely to see them both as always and have a chat before heading along to Pocklington for the next call.

Sean’s 2005 TF 135 (in Sonic blue) was due for the cambelt service, so we got this all done for him along with plugs and filters etc. Good to see Sean again, it’s been a few years since we were last there, cars still looking good and still on low miles.

For the last call of the day we went over to Driffield, where it was lovely to meet Les and his wife, who have just recently moved into the area and have owned their MGF (in Copperleaf) since new. It was sitting a bit low so they had got in touch to see when we could fit them to pump it up.

Wednesday morning found us at the workshop to get cracking on the two cars that had been dropped off with us at the weekend.

Craig had come up from Colchester with his 2004 TF 160. We carried out a full cambelt service, underfloor treatment, repair of the bonnet release and replaced the windscreen washer pump, that had packed up. Craig enjoyed a few days in the area and came over today to collect. Thanks to him for bringing us some cakes, hope he has a great run back home to Colchester, at least he’s got some fab weather for it.

Pete came over from Selby to collect his 2001 TF 135 (in Starlite Silver) this morning. This was in with us for welding of the nearside front sill as we’d noticed it needed some attention when it was last in with us, plus the minor service also carried out for him. Jon had a chat with both Craig and Pete before they headed home, shame I didn’t get to see them, I was otherwise occupied.

We had another visitor yesterday morning, Peter drove over from Leeds in his 2002 TF 135 for the annual minor service, and to have the MOT done at the station we use on site. Always lovely to see Peter and have a chat with him. Pleased he had some sunshine too for his drive back home.

A busy week with some fab cars and fab people!

So the van is now very well stocked up, and straining at the gunwales somewhat, all ready for our next big trip away to Scotland, over 15 days, starting with a call in the North East, on the way, on Sunday morning. Let’s hope I’ve remembered everything, it’s taken some planning and organising this one!

Hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend and has some good plans and adventures ahead, where possible, and that the weather stays kind to us all. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/fp3vBq5