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South Wales trip 2026 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Taking in en route Waltham, Oldbury-upon-Severn, Ross-on-Wye then on to Trellech, Caerphilly, St Mellons, Pontypridd, Abertillery, Pontypool…

Our latest visit to South Wales started off with a call into Waltham on a very sunny and warm Monday afternoon for work on Phil’s 2002 TF 135 in Le Mans Green (HFN). Minor service, flexi-exhaust, front shocker bolt, aerial replacement and handbrake adjustment all carried out for him. Great to see Phil as always.

Following an overnight stay in Ross-on-Wye we headed a couple of miles along the road on Tuesday morning where it was lovely to meet Ewan. His 1999 MGF VVC in Solar Red (CMU) was due for a cambelt change, so full cambelt service carried out for him.

From there we went over to Oldbury where it was lovely to meet Mandy and Martin for work on Mandy’s 1998 MGF 120 mpi in White Diamond (NAL) that’s she’s owned from new.

Both rear adjustable arms replaced, as one was a tad bent and the bushes on both had done their time. Distributor cap and rotar-arm replaced as they’d been experiencing an intermittent non-starting and misfire issue. The cam oil-seal had been leaking into the cap so this wouldn’t have helped with the misfire. Oil-seal also replaced. Then finally a pump up to the correct ride-height. After chatting to Martin discovered that the cambelt service was in fact due, so a date arranged for later in the year when we’re back down that way. Great to meet them both and their lovely woofers, we look forward to seeing them all again on our return.

Following stopover in a beautiful quiet spot in Trellech we were up bright and early on another sunny morning on Wednesday to head over to Caerphilly, where we met Ness and her 2005 TF 135 in Xpower Grey (LEF) for a full cambelt service. Unfortunately, the wheel nuts had all been windy-gunned on at some point and were ridiculously tight, so-much-so the locking wheel nut stripped. A quick trip round to the local tyre centre soon had it removed, saving us a lot of time and trouble removing it!

We then headed over to St Mellons to our digs for the next two nights.

Thursday morning found us over in Pontypridd for the first call on Paul’s 2001 MGF 120 mpi in Platinum (MNX). Minor service, front brake pads, new dipstick bracket and finally a pump up to the correct ride-height as the car was sitting slightly wonky. Good to see Paul, thanks to him for the brews and we’ll see him again on next years visit.

We then headed on to Abertillery for the minor service on Steve’s 2005 TF 135 Spark in Firefrost (CEV). Shame not to see Steve this time, but thanks to his neighbour Steve for doing the honours with the keys.

Our last call of the day was in the Asda car park off junction 32 on the M4, to meet Paul who drove over from Porthcawl. He’d got in touch a couple of weeks ago to see when we’d next be in the area as he was having a bit of a problem with some new key fobs he’d bought. Turns out all that was up was the metal tab that sits round the battery had become too flat and was not connecting to the circuit-board. Glad to give him an easy and inexpensive fix! Great to have the opportunity for a catch-up with him anyway. Hope he and the club have a great run in the Cotswolds next month.

A departure from our digs this morning to head over to Pontypool for the cambelt services on Jan’s 2002 TF 160 in Typhoon (IAB) and Andy’s 2004 TF 160 in Moonshine (IBB). Andy’s TF did have a slight coolant loss, which was found to be a split in a hose, which was duly fixed.

Really great to see them both again for a very long and well overdue catch-up. Good to reminisce on the many gatherings of the past! Thanks to Jan for the cracking brews and choccie biscuits.

So that rounded off nicely a productive week away, with some great people and their fab MGs in some lovely locations with some sunny weather thrown in too. We’re now slowly making our way back up north to home.

Have a great weekend everyone near and far. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/ChPwfGi

Rossington, South Leverton, Durham, Coxhoe, Gosberton, Yeadon, Easingwold…

Another busy week whizzing up and around the country looking after your MGs!

It began on Monday morning in Rossington where it was lovely to see Jane and Lee, as always, for the minor service on their 2000 MGF, in Firefrost Red, that they’re taking on another adventure in this summer to either France or Scotland this time. A few things given a check over to make sure she’s fit for the journey. Hope they have a great time.

From there we went over to South Leverton. Both key fobs had both seen better days on Richard’s 2004 TF 135, in Xpower Grey, as the buttons were pretty much nonexistent, so we got hold of some new original ones and programmed them to the car. Great to see Richard again, thanks to him for the brew and biscuits. A nice easy start to the week with an early finish.

It was an early start though on Tuesday morning to head up to Durham for the first call of the day on Trevor’s 1996 MGF 120, in British Racing Green. Cambelt service time again, hydragas pump up along with investigation of an oddly intermittent stopping running and alternately failing to start issue. This was eventually found to be down to a fault with the multi-function relay.

New relay sourced from Phil Bell, who will post it out to Roger and his son will fit it for him. Good to see Roger as always, and have a chat and a cuppa before heading over to Coxhoe for the next call.

Jason’s 2004 TF 160, in Pearl Black, was also due its cambelt service. He’d noticed a slight loss of coolant over the past few months, but no other symptoms, after running all our usual checks it was found to be the proverbial, unfortunately. But, not to worry, a date booked in for us to return to sort it for him. Big thanks to Jason for our bag full of goodies, which included some Easter Eggs! Great to see him as always and we look forward to getting him back up and running again for the summer months.

Another early start on Wednesday morning to head down to Gosberton to Roger’s house for work on his LE 500 and his good friend Dave’s TF who’d left it in his garage for our visit.

First up was Dave’s 2002 TF 135, in Le Mans Green, as it was cambelt service time again. Then next up it was also cambelt service time on Roger’s 2010 LE 500.

Really great to see them both again and have a good natter. Big thanks to Roger for the buffet! That was Jon’s tea sorted for the evening, not to mention the assortment of cakes and buns, that’ll keep him quiet for a while!

On a brighter, but still cool Thursday morning we were in Yeadon for the first call of the day on Lorna’s 2003 TF 135, in Solar Red, known as Madge. Again it was cambelt service time on this one too. Lovely to see Lorna again and have a chat, thanks to her for the brew.

From Lorna’s we headed across country to a sunny Easingwold, where it was great to see Ben again and his 2004 TF 160, in Goodwood Green. Minor service carried out this time, along with replacing the fuse on the radio and interior lights. He’s certainly made a valiant effort of restoring the hood, which previously resembled some interesting artwork!Thanks to Ben for the brew and very nice jammy biscuits.

A visit to our workshop this morning to get the van all stocked with the kit required for our next away trip, when we will be heading down to South Wales on Bank Holiday Monday for another busy week ahead.

Storm Dave is set to land this weekend, let’s hope it doesn’t wreak too much carnage, and we wish everyone a wonderful long Easter weekend spent with family and friends. 🐣 – https://ift.tt/SIg61sw

Beverley, Holme on Spalding Moor, Consett, Edmundbyers, Gateshead, North Broomhill, St John’s Chapel…

Whizz and another week has seemingly flown by, it’s been a busy and interesting one, with a couple of cancellations with slots refilled and a couple of squeeze ins too, and some stunning scenery en route.

Tuesday morning found us on a local one over in Beverley where it was lovely to see Steve and Gloria again for work on their 2002 TF 135 in British Racing Green (HFF). They’ve got a great trip planned this year to drive to the South of France for a friend’s wedding, but taking their time to do the trip and wanted it to be as smooth as possible. Last time we were there we talked about the soft-ride-kit, so we fitted this to the car for them, along with carrying out a minor service and giving the car a check over. The expansion tank cap wasn’t in a fit state, so a new pressure tested one fitted for them.

Thanks to them for all the cuppas and to Gloria for a specially made cake to mark the occasion, so kind. We wish them an enjoyable trip, and the pink ‘Rough Luck’ baseball cap is on order for Gloria to take with her, let’s hope it gets some use with some sunshine along the way.

An early start at the workshop on Wednesday as the engineers were due to swap out our broadband at some point that morning between 8:00 and and 1:00 pm, needless to say they arrived at one o’clock. Our first booking of the day failed to show up, so the MOT had to be cancelled last minute. Our next visitor was Paul who came over from Louth for the minor service and MOT on his 1998 MkI MGF 120, it was great to see Paul again and have a chat while we worked and waited for the MOT to be done. Then our last visitor of the day was Jeff who came over from Driffield in his LE 500 (paint code 110) for minor service, battery check and a chat about further maintenance. Date to be booked in for full underfloor-treatment, which is to be advised with the LEs.

Up bright and early on Thursday morning to head up to a very cold Consett where it was good to meet Paul for work on his 2005 TF 115 Spark in Xpower Grey (LEF) that he’s owned from new.

Full cambelt service carried out and underfloor-coolant pipes replaced with stainless steel ones. He’d been experiencing the odd overheating issue when stood in traffic. The head gasket had been replaced at some point in the and he’s had it checked locally who couldn’t pinpoint anything. After carrying out all our usual checks we concluded that it’s perhaps a very minor weep, which will of course need sorting, but Paul wants to keep an eye on it for now and monitor any further issues.

From Consett we headed over to Edmundbyers for hydragas pump up on Simon’s 1999 MGF in Mulberry Red (CDM) that he’s owned from new. Lovely to meet Simon and have a quick chat before heading over to our digs for the night near Newcastle.

So this Friday morning we left our digs and headed further north to North Broomhill for the minor service on Kevin’s Trophy (paint code FAR). Unfortunately, it’s also showing signs of head gasket failure, so a date arranged to return to sort it. Always great to see Kevin and Amanda and have a good catch-up, plus fusses with the very cute Monty dog.

From there we headed across to our last call of the week, in St John’s Chapel, to see Paul and his 2004 TF 115 Spark (in LEF). Paul just needed us to check out the front brakes, he’d noticed uneven wear on the pads, this appeared to have been caused by the pads sticking in the 4-pot calipers. Good to see Paul again and have a chat before making our way back home, again through some very beautiful countryside, which also took us through Barnard Castle, so we stopped off for a cuppa and a call in to the amazing chocolate shop, Chocolate Fayre, definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!

Hope everyone has a really great weekend, where possible wherever you may be. We old codgers should be at a school reunion tomorrow night, but not sure we’ll make it as we’re feeling a bit fatigued now. We’ll see… – https://ift.tt/kPVy0Lo

Heanor, Milton Keynes, Aspley Guise, Swanbourne…

First call of the week found us in Heanor, near Derby where it was great to meet Barry, who had got in touch last year to see if we could come over and carry out some work on his fab 2003 TF 135, in Solar Red (code CMU).

Both front wishbones replaced, both top ball joints replaced and a full cambelt service carried out for him and he’s all now set for the summer months. Big thanks to him and his lovely wife for the cuppas and cakes.

An early start on Thursday to head down to Milton Keynes for work on Peter’s 1996 MGF VVC, in Flame Red (code COF). He’d noticed some time ago that the nearside rear had sunk down quite substantially. So he opted to have all four of the spheres replaced. The sphere in question certainly had come to the end of its days! The car is now looking a whole lot better and back to its correct ride height for Peter to enjoy driving again.

From there we went over to Aspley Guise where it was lovely to see Phil and Liz again and their 2001 MGF 120, in Solar Red, that they’ve owned from new, it was also sitting a bit low, but only required a pump up. Thanks to Phil for the tray of tea and biscuits and a quick catch-up before we headed along to our digs. With an early finish I made the most of the fab weather and took myself off for a very long yomp around Lindford Lakes and the surrounding area, which made a nice change to discover somewhere new.

Following our stopover in Milton Keynes we headed along to Swanbourne this morning, where it was lovely to see Sue again and her 2003 TF 135, in Le Mans Green (code HFN) which was in need of a new head gasket. All carried out for Sue in time to enjoy the summer months ahead. Thanks to Sue for the teas, after a chat with her and her husband we headed home, with the obligatory stop-off for Jon on the way to Hotel Chocolat!

Hope everyone has a great weekend ahead. – https://ift.tt/4YlEG2R

A busy week away taking in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex…

Monday morning found us heading down to Trunch for our first call of the week, where it was really lovely to meet Gary and his 1998 Abingdon, in Brooklands Green (HYF), that he’s fairly recently taken ownership of. Minor service carried out along with a pump-up of the ride height.

After a stopover in North Walsham we went over to Shadingfield on Tuesday morning where it was great to see Nigel again and his 2004 TF 135 in Royal Blue (JFM). Minor service carried out this time, along with replacing the HT leads and coil packs. Thanks to Nigel for the homemade lemon drizzle and delicious fruit cakes!

Our next call of the day was over in Old Newton, near Stowmarket for work on Andrews 2005 TF 135 Spark in Starlite Silver (MBB). Short cambelt service carried out along with alternator belt. Shame not to actually meet Andrew, but thanks to his lovely wife for the cuppas, good to chat to her before we headed off to our next digs over in Ipswich.

Wednesday morning found us over in Clopton, near Woodbridge where it was great to see Kenneth again and his 2001 MGF 1.8 i in Wedgewood (JBH) that we had replaced the clutch on last year. This time all that was required was a minor service and a hydragas lift. We’d taken a set of spheres as he wasn’t sure that at least one of the spheres had gone, but they were all still in good condition. Good to have a chat and a few cuppas with Kenneth before we bid our farewell and headed on to our next digs.

After a stopover in a really beautiful spot (I got a very decent early season deal!) just outside of Colchester city centre, we set off bright and early on Thursday morning to head a few miles along across the city to see Claire’s 2002 TF 135 in British Racing Green (HFF), that was due it’s cambelt service again. Full service carried out for her. Great to see Claire again and have a cuppa and catch-up.

The next call of the day was over in Halstead for some further work on Eamonn’s 2003 TF 160 in Le Mans Green (HFN). Full cambelt service carried out, alternator belt, plus replacement of the nearside rear driveshaft oil-seal, that had been pointed out at a recent MOT, gearbox oil change. The heaters had stopped working not long after our last visit, so we carried out an oil-cooler bypass and replaced the heater-control-valve, which has resolved the issue and he now has heat back in the heaters.

Good to see Eamonn and his lovely wife again, thanks to them for all the cuppas and homemade buns. Thankfully, there was just enough room in the garage to work in, as it was blew an absolute hoolie all day! A bit of a long day, but fortunately our digs were only a short distance away, and another very nice spot next to Goslfield lake, despite the storms throughout the night.

And that brings us to this Friday morning, we got up bright and early to head up to the last call of the week in Wiggenhall St Peter, where it was great to catch-up with Mark as always. The cambelt service due date had come around again on his 2010 LE500 (paint code 287), so a short service carried out this time, along with greasing both front top arms. Thanks to Mark for the cuppas and biscuits.

We’re now back home, having had a successful first full week away of the year, big thanks to everyone for their warm welcomes and fab hospitality, with some really great MGs too. – https://ift.tt/OW85qLx

Holme on Spalding Moor, Ratby, Northampton, Harpole, Conisbrough…

A busy Monday morning at the workshop.

We had Justin’s orange 2008 LE 500 over from Cottingham (number 060) for an MOT. Offside front track-rod end came up as an advisory so we replaced this. Plus advisories on surface rust so a date to be found and to get it booked in for the undersealing to be done. Simon came over from Dronfield in his 2004 TF 135 for minor service and MOT and Ray came over from Hull in his 2003 TF 135 for minor service, replacement of nearside rear wheel-bearing and the MOT.

Great to see everyone again, and get everything sorted.

Tuesday morning we headed off early to Ratby where it was good to see Paul again and his orange 2008 LE 500 (number 065). Paul had attempted to change the front brakes, but couldn’t remove the caliper-pins so asked if we could come over and help. Paul had bought replacement Mike Satur pins so the old ones were duly removed and new ones fitted.

From there we headed down to Northampton to see Jon’s 2002 TF 135 that he’d recently taken ownership of. Minor service carried out, oil leak located and sorted, new HT leads fitted and a squeaky clutch release arm de-squeaked. Shame not to meet Jon as he was at work, but thanks to his wife for her hospitality.

We stayed overnight in a lovely village called Flore as seemed silly to drive all the way back home again only to return to Harpole the next day.

Our first job of the day on Wednesday was unavoidably postponed, so we went over to Neil’s earlier than expected. The cambelt service was due on his 2002 TF 135, so full service carried out along with a check of the handbrake and rear caliper, which was found to be a faulty mechanism, which will require a new caliper. Good to see Neil again, thanks to him for the cuppas and biscuits before driving back home.

We headed over to Conisbrough on Thursday morning to sort out an issue with Marks 2003 TF 115, the SRS light kept staying on which we suspected was due to the seatbelt pretensioner being dodgy, so we replaced this with one of our secondhand ones, which has resolved it. Minor service carried out along with new HT leads as his just crumbled. Great to see Mark again, date booked in for the cambelt service next year.

From there we went round the corner to check out Neil’s TF 135, while he was undersealing it recently he’d become concerned about a couple of things and just wanted reassurance that it wasn’t anything too serious. Date also booked in for the cambelt service next year.

Back to the workshop on Friday to give the van a service and get it all stocked up for our next away trip, starting on Monday morning in Norfolk.

Day off today and then tomorrow we head over to Stockport, to collect our refurbed hydragas spheres and then to make a trip up to Carnforth to check out Adams ZR that he’s been having a few issues with. We suspect from his description that it could be the Saab valve at fault, so a replacement one duly ordered just in case, we shall see anyway and go from there, he knows it may not resolve it, but is grateful for us coming out on a Sunday to check.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! – https://ift.tt/hw54sP2

Withernsea, Louth, Burnley, Bransholme, HOSM, Deeping St James…

Sunday morning found us over to Withernsea to check out an issue Laura was experiencing with ‘Princess’, her MGF. We carried out various checks and couldn’t find anything amiss. Hopefully she will behave this week when Laura starts her new job! We made the most of the fab weather and popped down to Spurn Point while we were there.

Our first call of the week on Monday morning was down in Louth, where it was good to see Stu again for the cambelt service on his 2006 TF 135 in Ignition Blue (JRJ).

Full cambelt service carried out on this fairly low mileage good example known to Stu as ‘Royston’. Thanks to Stu for the brews and bacon butties. We should have been heading on to Bilsby for hydragas pump up that was booked in, but that didn’t happen in the end.

With a couple of unavoidable cancellations at the workshop on Tuesday we offered the date to Walter who was having some issues with his Mk I 2001 MGF 1.6 in Solar Red (CMU). So we made our way over to Burnley to see what was occurring. He thought the head gasket was on its way out again, and it had a misfire. On code reading we found various errors. Lambda sensor changed and the coil packs replaced with the originals that were on it. The head gasket was fine. But found after a chat with Walter that the cambelt service was due. We replaced this along with new spark plugs, new fuel filter and new coolant cap.

Great to meet Walter and chat while we worked, thanks to him for the brews and biscuits.

As we weren’t too far away from our pals Maggy and Phil we thought we’d pay them a surprise visit, it was really great to meet their newest family member too, the beautiful and very jolly Jasper! Sorry didn’t get a pic. 🐶

Wednesday found us, not too far away, in Bransholme where it was great to see Tony again. His 1999 MGF 120 mpi in Tahiti Blue (JRJ) was due for its cambelt service, full service duly carried out for him. Thanks to Tony for the brews and biscuits, good to have a catch up with him.

Thursday morning took us over to the workshop to get the van restocked and loaded up with the big old bearing press. Plus we went over to the MOT station to finally get a load of MOTs booked in that have been on my ‘to do’ list. We did have a second day planned to work on one of the cars that was unavoidably postponed, so we weren’t really being lazy!

That brings us to Friday again, and we headed off bright and early to head down to Deeping St James. We needed to call in to Rimmer Bros on the way and were there for them opening to pick up another Lambda sensor for today’s job, we’d used the one for today unexpectedly earlier in the week. We usually keep quite a few on stock, but they’ve been low on their stock recently and only had one in. Yes there are cheapo ones available on eBay, but there isn’t any point in fitting those, we’d only be having to make a return visit a couple of weeks later.

Graeme’s 2002 TF 160 in Tahiti Blue (JRJ) had received a few advisories on the last MOT.

We replaced both front wheel bearings, the rear suspension arm, adjusted the handbrake and replaced the Lambda sensor. The exhaust back-box we found had a bit of a blow, so after a chat about new exhaust options he’s going to order himself a Mike Satur Daytona with the quads tail finishers, which will suit the car nicely!

Great to see Graeme again, thanks to him for the brews and biscuits, we look forward to seeing him again next time.

So that’s us done for the week, back home now after a slow run back up. There was an issue on the Humber Bridge, just hope that everyone concerned are okay. We’ve a bit of a busy weekend ahead with one thing and another. Hope everyone has a great one wherever you may be! – https://ift.tt/jkheuFQ

Cuddington, Greasby, Bingley, Holme on Spalding Moor…

An early start on Monday morning to head over to Cuddington, near Crewe, where it was great to see Steve as always for some work on his fab 2001 Trophy (in FAR).

Steve had noticed all four brake hoses were looking a bit aged so wanted them replacing with some Goodridge stainless ones. Brake fluid change, oil change and new alternator belt also replaced. He’d noticed some fluid underneath the car and thought it was a coolant leak, but on our inspection found it to be coming from the clutch slave-cylinder, so we replaced it with a new one along with new clevis pin as his was a tad notchy.

Thanks to Steve for all the cuppas, bacon butties and chocolate biscuits, much appreciated on a cold wet day.

Following an overnight stay in Chester, we headed over to Greasby, on Tuesday morning where it was great to see Simon again. His 1998 MGF 120 was in need of a minor service, and his fairly new acquisition of a 2004 ZT 120 was also due a minor service. A lovely example with very low mileage.

Thanks to Simon for the cuppas and biscuits, good to have a chat with him as always, then we were on our way home.

We headed over to Bingley first thing on Wednesday morning, where we met Malcolm who owns Gasoline Alley and has had many MGs pass through the doors. However, this particular one had got him stumped, as well as another local garage who had tried, so asked if we would be able to help.

On doing a cambelt service the engine mount bolts wouldn’t move, which is a fairly common occurrence. But we managed to get round it with our ‘Plan B’. Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt and air filter all replaced. It was good to meet Malcom and really interesting to hear about his long history in the motor industry.

Thursday morning found us back in the workshop for work on John’s 2004 TF 135 (in HFF) that he’d left with us the day before. He’d dropped in to see us on spec a few weeks ago whilst visiting relatives in the area.

Full cambelt service carried out, underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless, and a Mike Satur Daytona exhaust back-box fitted. All done and ready for John to collect in the afternoon, when he and his wife came back over from Keighley. Originally booked in alongside another job in the workshop that morning, which was canceled in the end. Saying that it would have been too much work to do in the rain on his drive and John was just happy to get everything sorted so soon. It’s a very good example, with a tasteful interior.

And that brings us to the end of week, and we booked the day off as it’s my lovely dad’s 85th birthday today so we’re taking him out for dinner at his favourite place.

Have a great weekend everyone, finally it looks like we’re heading for some dry weather and warmer temperatures. Good job as I think we will all be either growing webbed feet or gaining some gills! 🦆 – https://ift.tt/czvdg2D