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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

Work completed on Alan’s TF 135 (in HFN) on Friday.

Alan had the car couriered down to us from Scotland. We’d previously done the head gasket on it a couple of years ago. So now we had it into the workshop for a few things…

Full cambelt service completed.
Underfloor treatment carried out.
Front subframe mounts replaced with stainless.
Welding to 5 areas including rear sills. Drivers side window motor replaced. Quite a few other things sorted to get everything to rights.
A bit of a wash and brush up and then finally the MOT carried out.

Really nice to get ‘Noel’ all sorted and now ready to be reunited with Alan.

Up early this morning to head up to Ulverston, where it was great to meet Brian who had got in touch about his LE (paint code 293) one of the post LE 500 run cars that was having issues with the head gasket and possible water pump leak.

On pressure test it was found that the leak near the water pump was actually the stainless steel engine pipes not having an over sized o-ring fitted. The MGOC head gasket was found to be leaking externally all over the place. Unfortunately, the dreaded steel-seal had been added, so this was scraped out of the cylinder head, it has blocked several of the smaller channels and the return valve from the inlet manifold.

So head gasket and all other gaskets replaced, new o-rings fitted to the coolant pipes. All up and running lovely again.

What an enjoyable day in Brian’s company. Who is the owner of a very nice fleet of MGs, including an RV8 and having owned MGBs etc in the past.

So now we’re back on the road heading. further north to our digs in Lanark. Then we will be heading over to Glengarnock for work on Glenn’s LE and one of Alan’s other cars. – https://ift.tt/A2ktD8Y

Chris came to collect his wife’s TF 135 from us today. That sounds simple enough, but he came all the way from Acharacle in Argyll on public transport, his journey down was slightly less arduous than his trip back up when he dropped the car off. We look forward to hearing from him when he eventually gets back home tonight at whatever hour that may be…

Prior to Chris’s ownership the car had been fitted with a full Paul Jakabi body kit, which has been done really well and does look fantastic.

Chris asked if we could take the car in and carry out the work required at our workshop.

Full cambelt service carried out. All four solid brake lines replaced, both front flexis replaced. One of the front shockers replaced. SRS light issue sorted. Welding to both rear sills and jacking point. Which involved removing the side skirts obviously. Quite a lot of the bolts etc were either missing or incorrect so these were all replaced with standard. Really great to work on the car and get everything sorted. Then lastly the MOT carried out.

At last sun made an appearance today so after a wash and a brush up it was time to take some photos whilst Jon went to collect Chris from Selby train station.

Really great to meet Chris finally and have a chat over a coffee before bidding him a farewell as he headed back north.

It was good to meet Nick this morning who came over in his wife’s very lovely looking MGF Abingdon (HYF) for a hydragas pump up.

Work continues on Alan’s TF with more good progress made with another early start this morning.

A very productive day and good to see some sunshine at long last 🌞 – https://ift.tt/I7USCc6