Month: June 2026

Scorchio! 🫠 Is it hot enough for everyone?!

That was a big old switcheroo and rebook-in-week if ever there was one and looking back at the chaotic diary, as I write this, I’m amazed I managed to rearrange it and that we actually got anything done! Still, it was another great week with really great people, including a couple of visitors who ventured all the way down from Scotland.

Harrogate was our first destination of the week, for replacement of the window stops on Charles’ 2001 MGF VVC. Lovely to see him again. From there we went on to Burton Leonard, where we met Graham, who has recently purchased a year 2000 MGF 120, in Wedgewood (JBH) from a previous customer. Good to meet Graham and see this lovely car again that was needing a pump up of the suspension. Graham also wanted a check-over of the car and discuss things going forward to ensure its upkeep. Date booked in at the workshop later in year. With an early finish we nipped back in to Harrogate for a cuppa at Bettys, as you do! 🫖

Flamborough was our destination on a very bright and sunny morning, where it was really good to meet David and his 2005 TF 135 ‘Spark’ in Starlight Silver (MBB). He had owned the car for many years and had carried out all the maintenance on it himself.

Following a recommendation from another customer in the north east (thank you, Robin) he asked if we could come over to do a few things. Full cambelt service carried out, along with replacing the clutch slave-cylinder. Thanks to David for the cuppas and the interesting chats, and a welcome cooling sea breeze while we worked.

Workshop day on Wednesday,
where it was fab to see Stuart again who had driven down from Polmont to stay with friends in Seaham the night before. When we were with him in May we found that the engine bay coolant pipes on his 2003 TF 135 in Xpower Grey (LEF) had a leak, (see previous post on suspected thermostat leak). Coolant pipes duly replaced with a stainless set (ooph they’re an eye-watering price at the moment), car ran up to temperature with no more leaks. Stuart then had a trouble-free trip back up to spend another night with his pals in Seaham before returning home the following day. We wish them all
good fortune in their new ventures ahead in the Hebrides. Not forgetting big thanks for the beautiful piece of arty wood.

Our next visitor of the day was Darren, who had driven over from Worksop in his 2005 TF 160 for replacement of the Lambda sensor. Good to see him again, he enjoyed a walk around the site before heading off for a top down drive back home.

Another workshop day on Thursday where we had a big task ahead on Ewen’s 2009 LE 500 (268). Initially booked in for our May trip to Scotland for the cambelt service, the MOT had advised on a couple of things, so we thought it would be preferable at the workshop rather than on his driveway. Ewen drove down from Cupar the night before and stayed over in Market Weighton.

We got cracking with full cambelt service, and the long task of replacing of all the brake lines, and the clutch lines. Happily all sorted ahead of schedule for Ewen to take the long schlep back home to Cupar. Really lovely to see him as always, glad he managed to amuse himself with all the delights that the local town has to offer.

The trusty steed is now all restocked and necessary parts delivered ahead of our next away trip to the north east, for the week, commencing on Monday morning in Gosforth.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, wherever you may be, not great for those who have to work in this heat, but hope you get some down time to enjoy your MGs. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/Ju2H5L4

Another week filled with fab MGs in great locations, along with their lovely owners.

With an early start on Tuesday morning our first call of the week found us in Solihull, where we met David and his 2004 TF 135 in Sonic Blue (JHG) with 13k on the clock. Minor service carried out along with a Kmaps remap. Thanks to David for the cracking brews and choccie biscuits.

From there we headed a bit further south, to Charlbury, to replace the clutch slave-cylinder on Ben’s 2011 TF 135 (paint code 294) with 7k on the clock. The car was owned by his late father who loved it, and who used to work for MG Rover. Ben is looking forward to continuing the joy of it. Thanks to his lovely Mum for the cuppas and biscuits, much appreciated. Great to meet them both and have a chat before we wended our long way back home.

Wednesday morning found us in Langley Moor, just outside of Durham for work on Mike’s year 2000 MGF in Solar Red (CMU). Full cambelt service carried out, along with hydragas pump up, plus supply and program of a spare key-fob.

After a good old natter with Mike we went a few miles up the road to Newton Hall to meet George and his 1997 MGF that was in need of a pump up. He’s got quite a slope on the drive and was wanting to get the car in for an MOT, at least now he can get it up the drive and start enjoying the car again, and hopefully get out with the local MG club.

The last call of the day was for another hydragas pump up, in Hartlepool, on Martin’s 1999 MGF VVC in Nightfire Red (CAQ) that has also been stood for a while and he’s looking to getting it through the MOT to enjoy some trips abroad in.

Thursday morning found us in Huddersfield for a suspected head gasket failure on Mike’s 1998 MGF 120 in Tahiti Blue (JRJ), that he’s passed on to his granddaughter. She’d been driving it home when she noticed steam was pouring from the engine compartment. Fortunately, we found on pressure testing and running our checks it was due to a split hose, which we replaced with one on stock. Car ran up to temperature and all good. Thanks to Mike for the cracking brews and cherry cake.

We then went over to Wakefield for another hydragas pump up on Stephen’s 1999 MGF VVC, which had been stood for 3 years and was very down on its stops. Happily all pumped up with no issues, so he can now get it MOTd and start enjoying again.

So that finds us at the end of the week on a sunny Friday morning to head up to Butterknowle, near Bishop Auckland for our last visit of the week. This time for work on Connor’s two MGs.

First up was his 2002 TF 135 in Royal Blue (JFM) for head gasket replacement and cambelt service. All went well apart from the rose-jointed alternator adjuster, they’re fine when they’re first fitted, but almost always become corroded and will not come undone or tighten up again. So after some fettling Jon finally got it sorted. Car ran up to temperature and sorted, apart from a blowing flexi-exhaust section that Connor will replace himself when he gets a minute.

Next up was his 2005 TF 160 in Xpower Grey (LEF) that was due its cambelt service.

What a lovely end to a good week chatting to Connor while we worked, and lovely to catch up with his Dad, Ken, when he came home from work. It was great too to have fusses with their beautiful woofer Cobweb, what a star. Thanks to them for the punnet of strawberries.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone near and far, the forecast, is looking a bit sketchy, but we can all hope for the sun to make a welcome appearance to get out and about in your MGs.🌞 – https://ift.tt/IQw9myu

And WUMPH! That’s us back down to earth with a bang, following an absolutely brilliant couple of weeks in Greece, a family wedding for the first week and then on to mine and Jon’s favourite place for the second week. I tried to keep on top of the admin whilst away with a daily check-in, and replying where I could. I’ve now got through that mammoth task and replied to everyone, booking in as many as is possible.

Our first job back at it this week was over at the workshop, on Wednesday morning, to greet Jai and one of his latest additions to his ever expanding fleet that he’d driven up in that morning from Croydon. A very nice example of a 2003 ZS 120. This car had actually featured in the opening ceremony of the 2022 commonwealth games when they got a convoy of 72 British classic cars together, and this particular one is in the drone shot of the Union Jack. (Check out the YouTube video of it, it’s really interesting). I tried to get an aerial shot from the top of the van, haha.

So anyway, it was initially booked in for quite a list of things, but Jai had been slowly working his way through it. We carried out preemptive head gasket replacement and a full cambelt service. All done with no issues ready for Jai to travel back home that afternoon. Great to see Jai again and hear about the other cars he’s bought and is interested in.

Thursday morning found us over in Selby, where it was lovely to meet Tony and Sue for work on their 2004 TF 135 ‘Wonky’ (in xpower grey) that they’d bought last year for a bit of summer fun, but have grown quite attached to. Cambelt service carried out for them. Great to have a chat with Tony while we worked about the other cars he’s owned and adventures with the club etc. Thankfully he has a decent sized garage to work in as it absolutely tipped it down all morning.

So that brings us to Friday, and this morning we headed over bright and early to Beverley for work on Maureen’s 2004 TF 160 ‘Finn’ (in mirage). Full cambelt service carried out, the timing was completely out, which was due to a crushed roll pin on the exhaust cam, this was duly replaced and car ran up to temperature. It was nice to finally meet Maureen this time, albeit it briefly before she had to dash off to work.

From there we headed up to Beeford, where it was lovely as always to see Bob for the minor service on his 2006 registered TF 135 (in ignition blue). Fortunately we were lucky to avoid the torrential rain, which hid us on the way home. Let’s hope it clears off for the weekend for us all.

We should have been working in Hull tomorrow morning, but had an unavoidable last minute cancellation. So there’s another job that we’ll just have to get on with instead, the tax returns! Boo. 😒

Hope everyone has a great weekend near and far and that the sun makes an appearance. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/HPFkWUm