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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – Day 2

Up early this morning and departed our digs in Auchencrow early this morning, missing out on their very good breakfast unfortunately, and headed over to Chryston, near Glasgow, where it was nice to see Ross again for some work on his TF 135 (in JFM), that we last saw a couple of years ago for cambelt service.

Ross had noticed a very slight coolant loss, so we carried out all of our usual checks and finally traced it to be coming from the spring clip on the underneath of the expansion bottle, that had lost its springiness, this was duly replaced with a new jubilee. Fortunately, for him it wasn’t the proverbial!

Minor service carried out. The EML had been coming on intermittently, however it had turned itself off by the time we got there. On code reading it came up misfire causing increased emissions. Coil packs inspected and plugs were changed anyway, as part of the service and all seemed good, although to note he has been using E10 fuel.

The passenger window wasn’t working, this was found to be down to a dodgy switch, this was replaced with another one that Ross had already bought, quite handily.

Gerry had been in touch asking if we could give his MGF (in JBH) a pump up when next in the area. The plan was for him to come over to us, but he got held up in traffic, as the Edinburgh bypass was closed in both directions, so we ended up going back over to him and met him at Gyle shopping centre. Car pumped up to factory spec.

As we were passing, we stopped in for much needed cups of tea at the Kelpies. 🫖 ☕️ Always great to see these two beautiful beasts.

We’re now in our new digs for the next couple of nights, ahead of our visit to Daisy Bank in the morning. – https://ift.tt/h9ljdEb

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – Day 1

What a cracking day we have had in Gordon, working on Alasdair’s very tidy TF 135 (in HFF) with cream Oxford leather seats.

Alasdair had bought the car back in 2016 and has done a fair few trips at home and abroad, but started, a few months ago, to experience intermittent overheating issues. Having tried a new cap and done some research the problem persisted, so he asked if we could come along and take a look.

On pressure test of the cap and the system it was evident that the head gasket had gone. All gaskets duly replaced, along with the thermostat housing, as that had also been leaking. The cambelt service hadn’t been done in Alasdair’s ownership so cambelt, water pump and tensioner all replaced too. New alternator belt, new cap and she’s all good to go again, ready for a trip to Portugal some time soon.

What an enjoyable days work, having a chat as we worked, lots of fusses with Seamus, an endless supply of tea and some fabulous weather too.

Thank you, Alasdair for your lovely hospitality, sorry we didn’t eat anything! We look forward to seeing you next year.

Back in time for a decent yomp and our second night in a very lovely little pub in a very lovely little village, having travelled up yesterday. Then we’re on the road first thing in the morning heading west… – https://ift.tt/RMDIaqk

Always good to have a local one, 5 miles along the road to Willerby, where it was good to see Mark again, and his MGF 143 VVC that we last saw quite a few years ago.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, spark plugs and all filters replaced, along with a new alternator belt, as his was a tad chewed and split, a very timely replace!

Great looking car with very low mileage that Mark has owned from new, which wouldn’t look out of place in a museum.

Back over to the unit afterwards to receive a visit from the lovely John Ponting. John had recently tracked down and bought back this fab TF 135 that he had originally owned from new and then sold on. Having owned a few MGs over the years John felt that he would like this particular one back in his life. So he asked us if we wouldn’t mind giving it a check over, and what a lovely example it is, it’s also one of the post LE 500 cars, in paint code 294.

Great to see John as always and have a catch-up over a cuppa before he headed back home, perfect afternoon for a top-down run. ☀️

Van then restocked ahead of our next trip to Scotland in the morning. – https://ift.tt/4I2QMjm

Busy couple of days at the workshop…

It should have been a weekend off away at a car/music festival in Cheshire, but sadly that was cancelled, so we filled our time getting stuff done. We did have Saturday off to visit family, which was lovely. Sunday found us in Filey for collection of a TF that is need of some TLC. We’ve yet to get the head off and see what’s going on there.

Andrew dropped off his TF 135 (in JFV), with us for minor service, pre MOT and subsequent MOT carried out round the corner.

AJ dropped off his MGF 143 VVC, (in JRJ), that he had recently purchased a couple of months ago. He wanted initially a minor service and check over, but had also developed a coolant loss.

The coolant loss was traced to be a leaking thermostat and a couple of hoses. All replaced and no more leaks. Nearside front wheel bearing replaced and track rod end. Couple of other niggles sorted and she’s good to go.

Roddy’s MGF VVC 143 that we’ve had in for a while now, as it’s been difficult finding time to fit it in, as it was brought to us as a none runner, having spent 9 months in another garage, with us giving them advice along the way, is now running smoothly we’re pleased to report, although it is now evident that the internal heater pipes are leaking.

A local call in Hull tomorrow and then back to the workshop where we’re looking forward to greeting our visitor… – https://ift.tt/4I2QMjm

Wickmere…

Judith and Jim had contacted us just after one of our Norfolk trips to ask when we were next in the area, as their TF 135 was in need of a service and some attention to the clutch as it was having intermittent issues.

We went armed with all contingencies, and found this morning that both the slave and master cylinder had gone, but the clutch itself was still good. The clevis pin was looking like it had done it’s time, but at least the release arm was nice and free.

One of the things they had wanted us to check was a ‘clunk’ from the rear end, this we found to the be rear control arm, that the bushes had completely worn out on. So this was replaced with a new one on stock.

The other problem was with the accelerator pedal, which was sticking. On removing we found that the bushes had gone on it and the return spring wasn’t there, the pedal assembly was duly replaced with a good secondhand one we had on stock.

Minor service carried out and the car is all good to go again, hopefully Judith will notice a difference when she next drives it. Shame not to meet her today as she was away competing. Great to meet Jim and have a chat. What a fab set up they have there, and happily for me, more horses! We look forward to our return next year when the cambelt service is due. Thanks to Jim, for a good brew and the shelter of his newly self-made stable area out of the rain.

Hempnall…

As we were ahead of ourselves, we contacted Steve, in Hempnall, who was booked in for tomorrow morning, he was very pleased of our earlier arrival as he can now enjoy the day out with his wife tomorrow on her unexpected day off.

Steve had bought this fab TF 135 (in HFN) 18 months ago, as he’d been after something fun, especially as his very first car was an MGB in British racing green.

He’s getting through his list of future proofing the car. This afternoon we replaced the underfloor coolant pipes with stainless ones. Good to meet Steve and have a chat.

A cracking day with lovely people and their fab cars, despite the torrential rain, but it’s well needed after so many dry months here.

It’s our last night in our beautiful digs. Sadly though one of the owners gorgeous little dogs went missing yesterday evening, so Jon and I had a walk around the surrounding area to look for her. Everyone has been doing their best all day to find her. Here’s hoping that she will come home soon. – https://ift.tt/VeUifHj

Norfolk…

After a couple of days in the workshop we were up bright and early to head over to Wiggenhall St Peter where it was lovely as always to see Mark and Pam.

The cambelt service was due on the TF 135, a post LE 500 production (paint code 287) cambelt, water pump and tensioner replaced along with new alternator belt as the one on it was squealing a tad on start-up.

Mark had been after a BRM for some time and having done some research he found this one a few months ago. Everything had been done on it, but he wanted the head gasket replacing to ensure peace of mind.

What an enjoyable days work on these two fab examples. As always, great hospitality and good to have time for a chat with them both. Baking hot weather too, and really nice to have strokes with their handsome puss Olly.

From there we went over to our digs, absolutely stunning place, with horses in a field below our window (didn’t know that honestly when I booked it) but oops no telly, didn’t know that either, honest I didn’t Jon!

Monday and Tuesday were spent on a trade car replacing stem seals and piston rings as the car was burning oil, and we couldn’t 100% say it was just the stem seals or just the piston rings, it was decided between us and the owner to do both. Car returned yesterday afternoon.

Nice peaceful spot tonight ready to head over to Wickmere in the morning for a clutch. – https://ift.tt/xtvlasw

We reluctantly departed our fab digs near Lifton yesterday morning and said goodbye to the ducks.…

We journeyed over to Wootton Courtenay, where it was great to meet Terry for work on his Trophy (in FAR). He had bought the car 18 months ago, and was experiencing some coolant loss and over heating, having owned 2 other MGs in the past he was aware of the pitfalls and suspected the head gasket had gone.

Head gasket replacement carried out, the one that was on was an MLS made by BGA, the heat activated bonding agent on this brand of gasket tends not to stick, this is evident when removed as it is often still totally black and hasn’t done what it should.

There were a few other niggles that we put back as they were meant to be. Car fired up and running again, with very quiet VVC mechs much to Terry’s delight, he can get out and about in ‘happy’ again!

From there we went over to Hemyock near Cullompton, where it was lovely to meet James, who had got in touch as he had been left this very nice TF in the will of a friend. The car started out as a 135, but his friend had had it converted to a 160.

James obviously wants to do his best for the car and keep on top of the servicing etc. This afternoon we replaced the cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt.

He had noticed an intermittent drop in coolant, only when the car had been on a run. We found that the heater control valve was the culprit, so this was replaced with one off the van.

We had a chat about some of the issues to look out for and advise on various things he had questions about.

An enjoyable day meeting Terry and James in beautiful locations and some good weather thrown in too.

Back just in time for tea and to see the sunset, over Blue Anchor Bay, for our last night on this trip. A bit tired, but nonetheless a good trip with great people and their cracking cars.

Tried posting this last night, but there was zero signal where we were and the WiFi wasn’t playing. On the long trek back now currently on the M5. 🙂 – https://ift.tt/tmqfJpv

Redruth, Cornwall …

One of the two cars booked in for today was Sharon’s tidy TF 1.6 that she had bought during lockdown. Great to meet Sharon and Ivor who had noticed slightly milky oil and a loss of coolant, so suspected the proverbial and had therefore got in touch to see if we could come over and sort on our next trip to the area.

All gaskets replaced, with no issues and car back up and running nice and smooth again, to their delight.

What a lovely morning meeting them and their pooches Lamorna and Demelza (good Cornish names) complete with Cornish cream tea too, delicious! Thank you both, so thoughtful.

Our first call didn’t really happen as unfortunately Tim had got his dates mixed up and the car was in the spray shop! Not a problem though, good to meet him and have a chat, as the car, a TF 160 that he bought last year came with very little service history. Turns out that he wants to have subframe replacement anyway, as well as cambelt service, preemptive head gasket replacement and a few other bits. So a date has been booked in for all this to be carried out at the workshop at the end of January.

Bit of an improvement in the weather today. An early finish so I got out on a 6 miler and yes Jon fed the ducks, who were very vocal when he saw him with a nice seedy loaf in hand! 🦆 – https://ift.tt/FXBd8a3