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Sutton-on-Sea today where it was great to meet Mark and his very nice looking ‘03 TF 135 (in NDJ).

Shortly after purchasing the car last year the head gasket went. The car also came with no service history. So today we replaced the head gasket, the one that was on it was a Mk 2 elastomer and it had gone in cylinder No. 4. Cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. A lot of bolts etc missing or incorrect, so these were all put to rights.

On firing up the car up we knew it would be a tad smoky. Had it running up to temperature and longer to get everything clear and burn off the oil and coolant that had made it through to the exhaust. All now sounding a lot smoother and Mark said it sounded so much better. In preparation of our visit Mark had removed all the t-bar and hood, so we reassembled all this for him and the car does look really great.

So pleased to get Mark sorted eventually. Thanks to his mum for lots of tea, always very welcome.

We didn’t book anything else in today as it was a bit of an unknown, so making the most of a rare early finish and the fab location right next to the sea, we had an ice-cream on the front, as you do, before traveling home through the very picturesque Lincolnshire wolds.

Pleased that Mark can finally get out and about over the summer months and have some fun ☀️ – https://ift.tt/NjhO7Wy

So we moved away from the blue and went with a green theme today…

Great to see bothers Dave and Peter again over in Aston-in-Makerfield today with their fab cars.

First up was Dave’s MGF 120 mpi (in HFF) for the annual service. David had noticed a slight coolant loss and thought maybe the inlet manifold was the culprit so he had asked us if we could swap out the the plastic manifold for an aluminum one. So this was done for him today too, swapping out the injectors, fuel rail and sensors etc and replacing all the manifold studs in the head to bolts.

Next up was Peter’s TF 160 (in HFF) that he bought from us last year, minor service carried out today. Plus the passenger window was being a bit reluctant to go back up, so we replaced the window mechanism, which has sorted it. Peter’s really happy with the car and treated it to some refurbed alloys, which look really good.

Really enjoyable day in their company and baking hot sunshine. Now on a long slow crawl along the M62 heading home.☀️ – https://ift.tt/4EpP3hx

Continuing with the blue theme…

Today we went to Solihull where it was lovely to meet Graham and Jacqui for work on their very nice TF 135 (in JFV).

The head gasket had gone some time ago and the cambelt service was due.

Head gasket replaced, cambelt water pump and tensioner. Everything was pretty full up with the old mayo so that took a bit of clearing out. But, everything else behaved and it was a real pleasure to work on.

They had been very patient waiting for us to come over and even more patient when we were a tad late! After collecting the trailer this morning we were nicely on time when we popped into the services for a quick pit-stop only find the van wouldn’t start! “Oh no” we said!

After some investigation it was found to be the air filter box rubbing on very old crusty wiring, so Jon soldered it up and replaced various bits. Happily the steed sparked back into life and of we went once more.

When we left Grahams we then headed less than a mile down the road to collect Andy’s Mk 1 MGF VVC (in old English white), that was booked in to the workshop a few months ago, to get her back up and on the road again. Bit of a list to do, of which we will crack on with next week. Looking forward to getting her all sorted.

So a bit of a later than planned finish and we’re now pootling back up the M1.

A very hot day throughout the country today, not complaining of course. Big thanks to Graham and Jacqui for keeping us well hydrated with lots of juice, tea and ice creams, very nice. ☀️🍦 – https://ift.tt/DkCAmY0

It seems to have been a blue theme for the last couple of days…

Back to it after a brilliant weekend and our first call yesterday morning in Stourbridge, where it was great to see Simon again for the cambelt service on his very tidy TF 135 Spark (in JFV). Date booked in for next years service and brakes. Thanks for the brew Simon, have a great summer.

We then headed a few miles over to see Gary again in Longbridge, for a few bits on his TF. But, we couldn’t get an answer, at the door or on the phone, and are a little concerned, especially given these strange times, as the car was in the drive looking a little forlorn, when we last saw it 3 years ago it was really nice condition. I won’t post a photo for privacy reasons or give anymore info, but just on the hopes that if anyone knows of anything within the community, could you please send Jon or I a personal message.

A very local one for us this morning in Hull, where it was good to meet Mike for work on his also very tidy TF 135 (in JFV). Mike had suspected the head gasket had gone again, and on pressure test it was leaking from the front of the block with evidence of coolant all around it.

Head gasket replacement carried out, water pump, cambelt, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced, as there was no service history of the car, and he had owned the car for 5 years.

From there we headed up to Beeford, where it was lovely to see Bob and Elisabeth again for the minor service on their, also very good looking, TF 135 (in JGY). A nice catch-up about holidays and adventures, with a very nice cuppa too. Dates booked in for the service next year and for underfloor treatment in January at the workshop.

Monday was spent, amongst other things, with Jon mainly working on the van, the exhaust manifold finally arrived after some searching, bit of a grim job, but all part of the essential maintenance to keep the trusty steed going!

A very welcome change in the weather so far this week. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/DkCAmY0

💥 💥 MG Live! 2022 💥 💥

Really good to be back at the infamous track after a bit of a gap!

Absolutely brilliant weekend. Really good turnout of cars, all models spread out across the site. An action packed racing program. California cup auto-test was good to watch with a couple of our customers taking part. Pride of ownership competition, yet to find out who won.

Thanks to Glenn and the clan at the Caledonian centre stand who had a plentiful supply of all things Tunnock’s and a cracking brew!

We got stocked up with some parts and a couple of things for the new workshop.

Fantastic to catch up with everyone. With welcome good weather too. An excellent way to spend a weekend off. – https://ift.tt/MTIkbDS

Our last day in Scotland, and now on the A1 heading home…

Lovely to see Bob again in Kilmacolm for work on his very nice looking 1999 MGF 120.

Both rear compliance bushes replaced. Three of the top ball joints replaced, we replaced one of them on our last visit in December. The underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless steel ones as we noticed these were looking a little crusty on the last visit too.

Thanks to Bob, for a steady stream of mugs of tea whilst we worked in a steady stream of rain! Bit of a contrast to yesterday. Lovely to have a pet with their fab dog Brodie before he went off on his walk, who came back looking rather soggy. 🐶 Didn’t get a pic this time. We look forward to our return in April next year for the annual service etc.

Bit of a shorter trip than planned, but it means we get to have an extra night at home before heading off again. – https://ift.tt/mQfVG0N

Back to Craigie, near Kilmarnock, a year after we carried out the head gasket and cambelt service on Jon & Fiona’s TF 160 ‘Spark’ (in CEV), when they asked us to return to carry out the minor service today.

Plugs and all filters and oil replaced. They asked if we could also fit a new expansion tank, and sort a couple of other niggles. We noticed that the exhaust hanger had snapped, which would have resulted in a melted bumper, so we welded on a replacement hanger we had on the van.

Lovely to see Fiona again this morning, shame not to see Jon. It was lovely to see their very friendly cat Leo again, who was very keen to get involved. We look forward to our return visit next year.

From there we headed over to Glasgow to see Robert’s TF 135 ‘Spark’ to swap out the water pump for him. Didn’t see Robert though as he’s still on his month long trip to Crete, not at all jealous of that. 😆 His mum came over to make sure we were supplied with drinks etc, which was much appreciated.

Making the most of an early finish and the welcome sunshine we went over to Irvine beach for icecreams and a walk, well I had the walk, to Troon and back, it’s such a beautiful coast line with views over to Arran in the distance. – https://ift.tt/1tMsjid

We departed from Lanark this morning, after staying in some really good digs, and headed up to Glengarnock for work on one of Alan’s fleet and Glenn’s TF 85th.

Alan’s MGF 120 mpi (in CDX) was suffering from coolant loss and overheating when sat at traffic lights etc. On pressure test the expansion tank cap was found to be good. Staining from coolant was found around the water pump and the inlet manifold gasket was leaking.

Water pump and inlet manifold gasket both replaced. If this doesn’t cure it then the next step is obviously head gasket replacement. Alan will see how it goes over the coming months and if need be we’ll get it sorted when we return in September.

Next up was Glenn’s very nice looking TF. Cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced.

What a really lovely day, with as always fantastic company, there was probably more time spent having a bit craic than working. Great weather thrown in too, but best of all, having cuddles with Molly and Bruce. 🐾 – https://ift.tt/1tMsjid