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The first call of the day was in Wilberfoss where it was really lovely as always to see Derek and Margaret for our annual visit for work on their 80th Anniversary TF 135 (in paint code MBB).

Cambelt service time this year, so cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. Following a couple of advisories on the recent MOT offside top ball joint replaced and both front arms packed with grease.

Really good to have a chat and a catch-up with them. Plus big thanks for the kind donation of a set of 11 spokes that will definitely come in for one of our doer uppers.

I didn’t get a pic again of the exterior, just of the interior, too busy talking!

The next call was over to Bramham, where it was great to see Les again and his MGF, modified from a 120 to a 135 (in paint code CDX).

The front shockers had come up as an advisory on his last MOT so these were swapped out with new ones Les had bought. We were supposed to fit them on our last visit, but the weather was so horrendous and the day ran out of daylight so it didn’t get done.

We needed to return anyway, as the issue, that he had been experiencing since taking ownership of the car needed resolving. Les had a couple of people look at it over the past couple of years, but the problem still persisted, frustratingly for him.

So after running our diagnostics and one-by-one tracing all potential causes for problems with error codes P0130 and P0170 that he had been experiencing, which was causing mis-fires while driving.

So we started off first with the forward lambda sensor replacement and then ran it again, that cleared the P0170 code. However, another code emerged for the heater circuit on the secondary lambda sensor, so it was decided to replace the secondary one also. Unfortunately, the threads wouldn’t take the new sensor, as often happens, so the decision was left to Les on whether he wanted the new and better CAT fitting, which he decided to go for. Also, we noticed that it had some cheap and not so cheerful coil packs, so these were replaced for new. The running then all finally seemed to settle down. We also noticed that the forward lambda sensor wiring had also been modified, however the quality of repair seems to be good, so decided to leave as it was, unless any further problems occur then this will be looked into.

Hopefully, once and for all, this issue is now resolved for him and he can enjoy smooth runs out and enjoy his fab MG.

Thanks to Les for the many cuppas and the box of cakes and not least for ordering the sun this time! ☀️ – https://ift.tt/MipAhxJ

An interesting and busy workshop day today…

Lovely to meet Judith this morning who brought over her ‘97 MGF 143 VVC (in COF) from Saltburn. Judith had taken ownership of the car a few months back and knew that the spheres were past their best and would need replacing. Her brother-in-law managed to source some reconditioned ones so we fitted these for her today. Looks so much better and I’m sure Judith will notice a difference on the drive home.

Great to see Trevor and Gary again who came over from Horncastle in their TF 160 (paint code FAR) for the minor service and a couple of other things sorting. Good to have a chat while we worked. What great weather for their drive back home.

It was good to meet Dave this afternoon who came over from Cottingham in his MGF 75th anniversary (in paint code CDM) having bought it last year and wanted us to check the ride height and have a chat about brakes.

Van packed up with the bearing press etc ready for tomorrow. – https://ift.tt/0W9v8Vu

Dinnington was our destination for our first call of the day where it was lovely to see Noel and Melanie again for work on their LE 500 (paint code 106 and number 11/500).

We carried out the underfloor treatment on the car a couple of years ago and it had also been to our neighbours at Black Sheep Customs for some bodywork.

Noel was going to bring the car back over to us for the cambelt service and a date was booked in, but unfortunately the car had developed an intermittent non-starting issue and also when driving the car it would just cut out and then randomly start again. So, not surprisingly they didn’t want to drive it anywhere.

We carried out all diagnostics and checks. One of those where it was difficult to pinpoint it to one exact culprit. Several issues were found; the fuel pump relay in the boot, that later models have, had been replaced, but that seemed to have temporarily fixed it, however the problem had returned. We took off all the relay connections, cleaned them all up, also the collision impact relay connections were cleaned up, the AA had mentioned that the throttle body may be at fault, so we took a new one along just in case, and Noel wanted us to fit it anyway just in case. P-scan showed all other engine sensors were working perfectly and no misfires were detected. After re-setting everything it was all found to be running smoothly. The only other unknown is that the air filter box was full of wheat grain, possibly from a mouse, let’s just hope that said mouse has not eaten any of the wiring and that the car was all of a sudden behaving by coincidence and that there are no wiring issues. Their cat, Biscuit, has been given a verbal warning for not keeping up good enough mouse control!

Thanks to Noel and Mel for their hospitality. Brilliant to hear from them this evening that a test run was successful and so far no further problems.

From there we went over to Conisbrough where it was lovely to meet Neil for minor service on his TF 135 (paint code LQW). He’d owned the car for a couple of years, which in its previous life had been owned by a chap who worked for Rimmer Bros. Good to have a chat before we headed home.

Fab weather today, and home in good time, but both still feeling absolutely rubbish. Tons of admin to do, which explains my late blog and is getting beyond my bedtime! At least we’re only in the workshop tomorrow. – https://ift.tt/0W9v8Vu

That was a busy and long couple of days, but at least the trusty steed stretched its legs and had a good test run, on our way back now on the A1 and the sun is shining still at 8 pm as start to write this, and get the admin caught up on.

Yesterday found us first near Sheffield for a job, but unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances they had got the day wrong, not to worry, the job had grown a bit anyway since first booking it in so just as well, and we’ve found an alternative date to go back and get everything sorted.

From there we went over to Drighlington where it was lovely to meet Tony and Alison for work on their TF 135, that was initially booked in for the head gasket, when we got there found out that the cambelt or any other services items hasn’t been touched for 7 years. Head gasket and full cambelt service all carried out, plus a very timely save on the alternator belt, which was very badly split and cracked. We had to resort to Plan B on the cambelt service as the engine mount bolts would not come undone.

Really good time spent working and chatting to Tony. Great to meet their lovely woofer Paddy too, and thanks to Alison for all the brews!

We then went back over to see Lee and Janet as their TF 160 following us replacing the head gasket and timing belt etc 3 weeks ago had a misfire on cylinder
2, on removing the plug from cylinder 2 Tony noticed that the spark plug hole had some coolant in the bottom. While we were mystified as to how it got there, having sent us a photo, as there are no coolant channels anywhere on that part of the cylinder head. He had tried wiping it out and it seems to very slightly return.

We carried out a cold pressure test, with the plug in and with the plug out, checked with the borescope inside the cylinder, then ran the car right up to temperature, and watched with the borescope while the car was under pressure, each test running for about 20 minutes, found no signs of any further coolant. While the car was up and running again, we checked out the diagnostics and checked for any mis-fires and none were recorded. A plan was made to test the car over the next week or so and if need be replace the cylinder head for another one that Lee has.

This morning we headed back to the north east for the two jobs that we had to postpone due to the van being out of kilter.

First call of the day was to Steve, in Alnwick, and his MGF 75th VVC in Mulberry (code CDM). Really great to meet him and Jon hadn’t realised that it was the same car he had replaced the head gasket on 14 years ago!

Full cambelt service duly carried out today for him. An enjoyable morning spent chatting to Steve, we took it at a steady pace as Jon’s a bit tired and I’ve got a stinker of a cold. Very nice car to work on which didn’t give us any grief.

We then headed over to Broomhill, and took the coast road, where it was lovely as always to see Kevin and Amanda and of course have cuddles with Monty! Kevin’s Trophy was still sitting a bit lop-sided so we had gone armed with a couple more spheres to swap out. Hope this has sorted it. Good to have a chat before we headed home.

Shame it was a late finish as we would have called in to see my aunt who only lives in the next village, where my mum just happens to be visiting this week. Well we didn’t want to have passed on any manky cold germs anyway.

A day off tomorrow to recharge the batteries. Although I’ve been meaning to do a piece about expansion tank caps aka coolant caps as there is a lot of varying ones out there at the moment that we’re experiencing and hearing a lot about causing issues.

Have a great weekend everyone, hope you can make the most of the lovely weather ☀️ – https://ift.tt/6vg0WY8

Well we couldn’t be more happy to have our trusty steed back on the road and fully functioning again. After our let down at the place we took it to last week we went down in convoy yesterday morning to pick it up and bring back to the workshop.

A massive thank you goes to Steve, our fab neighbour, at Black Sheep Customs, who stepped up at the eleventh hour and stayed until an ungodly hour last night to help Jon replace the gearbox and clutch.

They cracked on again this morning and got everything done and up and running by lunchtime today. Can’t thank him and Taryn enough. Taryn stepped in with the horrible clean up of just about every tool in the place that was covered in diesel grime.

Everything running lovely and smooth and so much quieter when we had a test run over to Hessle to return the hire car. What a relief not having to postpone the jobs we have booked in over the next couple of days, hate having to do that.

Thank you, again to Steve, you’re an absolute star 🤩 – https://ift.tt/x6kC8RD

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 MG Freedom Highlander 2023 ⛰️

What an absolutely brilliant long weekend spent at Nethybridge for a long awaited and much needed bit of time off.

With approx 11 MGTFs & MGFs coming from all over the country, joining in the runs at various points throughout stunning countryside and interesting locations. The trip to Applecross which should have happened yesterday was postponed as the weather was poor and wouldn’t have been much fun.

We travelled up on Thursday with a stopover in Gretna in our TF 135. Then headed up to Nethybridge. But we travelled home today in a different vehicle! Unfortunately, on Saturday on the way back from Johnshaven we noticed a couple of grumbling noises, and on inspection the nearside front wheel bearing had collapsed. So, long story short, the car was recovered and we collected a hire car from Inverness airport yesterday. We will await its arrival back home anytime this week.

We tried not to let it ruin what was such an enjoyable and fun weekend with fantastic people and their brilliant MGs.

Big thanks to Alan and Glenn for organising it all and to Nethybridge hotel for a super stay nonetheless.

So back down to earth and collection of the poorly van tomorrow from Wolverhampton that hasn’t been repaired as we had hoped. 😕 – https://ift.tt/UoSKfiT

Following the trusty vans recent monumental milestone, we knew that the gearbox at some point was going to need replacing. We lost a couple of gears coming back from Scotland, and since then has been very touch and go getting around anywhere. We had already made enquiries for it to have the repairs done, and on some recommendations we were lucky to get it booked in with a renowned gearbox guru in Wolverhampton.

Unfortunately, we were unable to get back up to Alnwick and Morpeth for the two jobs booked in yesterday, but happily both people fully understood and we’ve got them booked back in next weekend, so all good there.

So today we set off nice and early to drive down in convoy to Wolverhampton. A bit of a nervy trip only having a limited number of gears!! And dreading having to be recovered there with the pain in backside that all that entails! Fortunately, we made it and what a good impression of the chap we’ve left it with. Felt strange leaving it behind 🙁 but we look forward to going back to collect next week.

On our way back home we were able to call in to Belper, where it was lovely to see Ruth who had got in touch regarding her TF 135, ‘Destiny’ whose alternator had packed up. She fortunately managed to limp her home where she sat and waited for our visit. We went over with a new alternator and a voltage regulator. Alternator duly removed and as it wasn’t seized and still in good condition the regulator was replaced, which has resolved the issue and we’re pleased that the car is back up and running for Ruth again. Good to have a quick catch-up before we headed home.

The car we used today was our TF 135, and was looking somewhat scruffy, so she’s had a good wash and brush up, ahead of setting off to Scotland in the morning to take part in this years ‘Highlander’ event. Very much looking forward to it and having the bank holiday weekend off. – https://ift.tt/vx8kgBm

The 1st of May and a busy, but enjoyable day at the workshop…

Really good to meet Adrian there first thing for a few more things on ‘Pearl’ his 85th Anniversary TF. Adrian had been on Steve Gibson’s North Yorkshire run over the weekend so stayed over an extra night to come to us, which made the most of his trek north before heading back to Leigh-on-Sea this afternoon.

Adrian had tried an LE 500 and liked the feel of the gear change. So we sourced the gear selector and cables for him and fitted them today. Along with fitting new fog light bulbs, adjusting drivers side window to stop it leaking (hopefully!) and adjusted the steering wheel.

Great to see Peter who came over, from Leeds, with his TF 135 for a few things. Initially booked in for a CAT replacement, this wasn’t required as happily the car went through the MOT ok. The gasket was slightly blowing when we checked it so this was sealed up.

The clutch pedal was quite heavy, although he thought it was fine for ages until trying someone else’s, I think a few of us have experienced this over the years! Clutch arm duly freed off and clevis pins replaced on the slave cylinder and the master cylinder.

He’d also bought a replacement quick-release steering wheel to be fitted. But, after a bit of time between him and Jon looking into the fitments for it, it was found that the steering boss wasn’t compatible so couldn’t be fitted. We shall investigate further on this one.

Much better weather than what was initially forecast, so both Adrian and Peter enjoyed top-down runs back home. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/BlUr4FJ