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Durham, Sherwood, Seaton Delaval & Seaton Sluice…

Day 1 of 7 – Latest Tour North.

Our first visit this morning was to Durham to see what was happening with Roger’s MGF 1.8 mpi. The car had, mysteriously, after a run out, decided it didn’t want to start again. Having been to see Roger a couple of times in the past he asked us for any pointers on what to do, unfortunately to no avail, despite his best efforts. On trying to hook up our P-scan there were problems from the off, so the only thing we could do was disconnect everything and reinstall it, surprisingly this actually proved to be the winning solution! The car is now no longer blowing fuses left, right and centre and the immobiliser is now working as it should, happily for Roger. Great to see him again and have a chat and a cuppa before we headed further north.

Next stop was to Sherwood, where it was lovely to meet Lorraine, for work on her Mk II MGF 1.8 mpi, in paint code JBH, that she’s owned for the past 22 years.

Full cambelt service carried out for her, along with alternator belt and hydragas lift. Good to have a chat with Lorraine while we worked and meet her lovely pooch Lily.

We then headed a few miles along the road to Seaton Delaval, for investigation of a problem with Rikki’s Lotus Elise S1. Rikki had got in touch a year ago, when we had given him advice and pointers as to what was possibly occurring, we didn’t hear from him again until a couple of weeks ago when we spotted a facebook post, saying he still had the same problem. So, today we set about investigating the issue and found it to be due to having HT leads and coil packs for a VVC model, when this one is a 120. The plugs weren’t in tight enough either and were very sooted up. So we replaced the plugs, coil packs and leads and it went from sounding lumpy as heck with a lot of movement on the engine to running an awful lot smoother. He’s still got a bit of an issue with having a decat, resulting in it running a bit too rich.

Unfortunately, didn’t get chance to meet Rikki as he was abroad on holiday, but his lovely mum welcomed us with a cuppa. She happened to mention that the back window on his TF wasn’t in the best shape, as a garage had undone the zip and had broken it, resulting in a taped up window panel and a moldy car. We carry zip pullers anyway, so we replaced this for them while we were there, which his mum was really pleased about.

Lovely to have a chat with her before we left to head on to our last call of the day, only a few miles along the road, to Seaton Sluice.

Terry had got in touch only yesterday about a problem with one of the spheres on his Trophy. They’d just completed the NC500 with no issues, only to find after their return that one of the rear spheres was leaking. These were refurbed ones that we had fitted for him a few years ago. So another one to be replaced for him, when we see him next in a few weeks time.

A long and busy day, but pleased to have got everyone sorted on the first leg of our trip and in good time too, with a quick peak at the beautiful sea front at Seaton Sluice on our way to our first digs tonight, in Gosforth. – https://ift.tt/qzayPdu

That was a bit of a different week from what we were supposed to be doing…

After arriving back last Saturday, we had planned on heading up to the MG Northumbria show at Backworth Hall, but we were a bit too tired, which is a shame as it looked great from the photos.

Monday morning found us at the workshop to take delivery of Mik’s MGF 1.8 mpi for investigation of issues that no one has managed to source, update on this one at a later date, our work continues…

John came over from Selby in his TF 160 in PBT for check over of error codes etc.

We then took Gary & Elliot’s MGF 1.8 mpi in COF round for its MOT, after we had replaced the radiator, as the one that was on it had more holes than a teabag. Upper ball joint was advised on, so we replaced it, which now completes the list of work on this car that we have been getting through when we could, alongside other work, as it had been to another place with a little bit of a disappointing and costly outcome for the owners sadly. But, happily the car has just been picked up this evening, and Jon was there to meet the courier. We’re looking forward to hearing from them when they get it back to them in Oxford, shame not to actually meet them, but busy lives got in the way.

Mick drove over from North Yorkshire on Wednesday morning in his MGF 1.8 mpi in paint code HAM, for investigation of an oil leak, thinking it may be the drive shaft oil seals again, it was found to be down to a faulty diff. Cheapest option is to replace the gearbox, so one is sourced and date booked in to replace. Good to see Mick for a chat and a cuppa.

Couple of days off on Thursday and Friday for my birthday and to catch-up with family, which was fab. Plus we went to see the latest Mission-Impossible film, which was great fun.

This morning we headed back to the workshop, where it was great to meet Dave, and his son Theo, for work on his TF 135 in paint code MBB that Dave has recently taken ownership of.

Minor service carried out and alternator belt replaced. Couple of little things sorted for him too. Good to have a chat with them before they headed back over to Grimsby, hopefully the torrential rain we had while they were there won’t follow them back and they could get the roof down!

That’s the van all restocked this afternoon and loaded up with all the kit required for our next trip for the coming week, another unscheduled one as we should have been on our hols in Greece, but needs must. It’s a full on week, starting in the north east in the morning and then heading to Scotland and finishing back in the north east next Saturday.

Fingers crossed this weather improves for everyone! ⛈️ – https://ift.tt/WQomMcg

Week commencing 3rd July – last day of tour to the West of the country.

Day 6 – Nelson & Colne…

We left our fab digs in Copster Green this morning and headed over to Nelson for work on Darren’s TF 160 in paint code IAB.

Cambelt service carried out, plus we noticed that the return hoses had no return to the expansion tank, so these were cleared out and car ran up to temperature. So she’s all good to go ready for the MOT and a run out to Pateley Bridge in a few weeks time.

It was really great to see Darren, Tracy and their fab gang and have time for a chat and a long overdue catch-up.

We then headed over to Colne to check a few things out on Neil’s fairly new acquisition of a TF 160, just to make sure the engine bay fan was working as it should and to trace a mysterious minor coolant loss. All our usual checks done and system bled. He’d noticed that after a run the engine bay was extremely hot, having owned a couple of MGs in the past, hadn’t really noticed this before. The exhaust manifold heat-shield was missing, so this was replaced with one we had with us. (very nice interior, pic below).

Good to meet Neil and Barbara and have a chat before heading back home.

Lovely evening with Maggy & Phil last night, made a really good change having time to sit down and enjoy a meal together. Another successful trip away, we packed in as much as time would allow, and met some really great people and their fab cars. – https://ift.tt/p4VQzg0

Week commencing 3rd July – tour the the west is nearing the end.

Day 5 – Friday – Hapton & Copster Green…

Our first call of the day was over to Hapton, which was a short hop from our digs in Burnley, where it was great to meet Paul for work on his fairly new acquisition of a TF 160 80th anniversary in paint code PBT. Already being an owner of a BRM he had fancied getting a TF. So he eventually came upon this one after a few attempts at buying it at auction.

Full cambelt service carried out for him, plus alternator belt, underfloor stainless coolant pipes replaced as his were a tad rotten. Plus, while we were there, he asked if we could replace all pads and discs as the car had been sat for many year without turning a wheel.

Date to be arranged to replace the wishbones and do a full underfloor treatment.

Brilliant day in Paul’s company chatting while we worked with a constant stream of cuppas!

We’re now in Copster Green, for replacement of two front wheel bearings on Maggy’s ‘Ophelia’, her TF 160 in paint code IAA. Well Jon’s doing that actually, while I’m doing the admin with some very good company. 🐾

The van decided to be a bit naughty and not want to start again when we arrived, but Jon’s worked his magic on that again. It’s a beautiful sunny evening and really lovely as always to see Maggy and Phil. – https://ift.tt/ILquk62

Week commencing 3rd July – tour to the west continues.

Day 4 – Thursday – Skipton & Burnley…

A departure from our digs in Thornley and a run over to Skipton this morning, where it was good to meet Tom, for work on his fairly new acquisition of a ‘98 MGF 1.8 mpi. Since buying the car 4 months ago he’s done a fair few miles and been loving it. Knowing that the cambelt service was due he asked us to come over and carry this out for him and also to do a preemptive head gasket replacement as he just wanted peace of mind and worry free motoring.

It’s actually a good thing that he did, as he would have been having a spot of bother sooner or later. On checking which gasket was fitted, we initially thought it was an elastomer, as there wasn’t a tab sticking out between the block and the head, but when we removed the cylinder head, it was in fact an MLS gasket, but the saver-shim hadn’t been fitted.

At some stage in the past a fairly large amount of the hideous k-seal had been added. The expansion tank was full of it. The inlet manifold was blocked and the return hoses were solid with the stuff, and not the usual thick gungey stuff, it was dried out. So all of these were cleared out, hoses removed then blown and flushed through, using various methods. Poor car!

All missing gaskets and bolts replaced and everything refitted. Car ran up to temperature and behaving as it should.

Tom only had one key fob with the car so a replacement one of these were programmed for him. Thanks to Tom for the cuppas and for the forecast not being as it was supposed to be and dodged the rain.

We now over in Burnley for the night, ready for tomorrow. Good to have time for a walk along the canal. – https://ift.tt/QndGZh7

Week commencing 3rd July – tour to the West of England (whose splitting hairs).

Day 3 – Wednesday – Blackpool…

Our first call was for work on Allen’s MGF 75th Anniversary 120 mpi, in paint code CDM. The cambelt service was due so we carried this out. He had noticed a couple of issues with overheating. On pressure testing and investigating thought it was probably due to the inlet manifold being blocked, sure enough the return valve was completely blocked and the gasket was old. These were cleared and replaced and the car ran up to temperature and holding pressure.

But, on the subsequent test drive the car overheated again. By this time we had only gone 6 miles down the road anyway and almost finishing the second job of the day, which was for a full cambelt service on Dave’s ‘05 TF 135 in paint code LEF.

Dave’s very low mileage TF was almost like new, so all bolts etc came off easily. Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, all filters and oil replaced. It was lovely to meet Dave, who welcomed us with a cuppa. The car will be going up for sale sometime soon. After a chat with him we bid our farewells and headed back along the road. We wish him well with the sale of the car.

Once back at Allen’s we set about replacing the head gasket. With only one awkward exhaust manifold bolt the car was put back to rights and up and running lovely.

A real pleasure to meet Allen and have a chat while we worked this morning and this afternoon!

Two very nice examples today, great company and the bonus of the sun making an appearance.

We’re now in our next lodgings near Longridge, just made it in time to order some tea. One night here, and then we head to our next destination in the morning, Skipton. – https://ift.tt/QndGZh7

Week commencing 3rd July – tour to the West of England.

Day 2 – Tuesday – Wirral & Wilmslow…

Our first call took us from our digs in Chester over to Wirral, where it was really lovely to meet Samantha for work on her ‘96 MGF 1.8 mpi that her husband, Andy, bought for her, earlier in the year, but it came with no service history.

This morning we carried out a full cambelt service. What a good honest car, with all
original features, they had even got hold
of some cassettes to play in it, so fab! It had been dry stored and sat for many years prior to them taking ownership. So it now has a new lease of life and will be used for fun outings.

From there we headed over to Wilmslow for work on John’s, also fairly new acquisition, ‘04 TF 135 in paint code JFM. He’d bought the car knowing it had potential issues with the head gasket, so had it transported home, as didn’t want to risk running it.

Sure enough, all the signs were there, and on removing the cylinder head it had been fitted with an elastomer gasket and had gone into cylinders 3 & 4. All gaskets replaced and the car is now back up and running lovely. John was so pleased to hear it spark into life. He’ll take it for the MOT and then get out and about and have some fun over the summer on his retirement.

Really great to meet him and have a chat while we worked, accompanied by many cuppas, he’d read that bit about us!

We managed to dodge the forecasted bad weather, with only one small shower. So, all in all a busy one, but a really pleasant days work.

We bid our farewells and are now in Altrincham for the night, before heading over to Blackpool in the morning. – https://ift.tt/2RALEnb

Week commencing 3rd July – tour to the west of England.

Day 1 – Weaverham & Birkenhead…

On a very very wet Monday morning it was nonetheless good to meet Layton for work on his ‘02 MG TF 135 in paint code JFV.

Head gasket replacement, cambelt service, underfloor coolant pipes replaced, plus a couple of other bits. On running the car up to temperature we found no return to the expansion tank, so we flushed through a lot of solidified gunk in the return hoses from over the gearbox. Happily the car is now back up and running as it should be.

Thankfully, the gazebo sheltered us from the majority of the torrential and continuous downpour, but still a bit soggy and cold, and guess what, the sun came out just as we were packing up! Big thanks to Layton for lots of cuppas.

From there we went over to Birkenhead for investigation on a problem Mark had been experiencing with his MGF 1.8 120 mpi for about a year, he had gone through all of the usual suspects, replacing parts, some on a couple or more times, only to have the same problem reoccur.

Hooked up the diagnostics, only a single error code coming up, which is known to be false anyway, set about checking all the ignition system, coil pack, the distributor, HT leads and plugs, found the distributor cap had a loose central core, replaced that, replaced one of the plugs as the porcelain was cracked, but still the same result.

Checked the wiring for the throttle body, tried various different throttle bodies, still no joy. The only thing left was that the diagnostic had shown on live data that zero volts were coming back on the Lambda sensor, even though Mark had replaced with a Bosch sensor.

We temporarily fitted another one to make sure it wasn’t just the cabling, this showed .44 volts on live data, so the sensor that was fitted was faulty.

We also noticed that the throttle body was permanently showing open-loop, which it should be closed-loop on tick-over. Finally the manifold air-pressure was static all the time at 99 Kpa.

It would come down to possibly being the ECU and a faulty Lambda. Mark will source a replacement ECU and then go from there.

Bit of a head scratcher, shame not to be able to fix it on one visit, but we will keep in touch and see what progress he makes with this other information. It was although, great to meet Mark and have some interesting chats.

Bit of a late finish and a long day, but we’re now in our digs near Chester, I’m on the admin and Jon’s going to order his delectable delights from Just-Eat. – https://ift.tt/2RALEnb