Category: News & Updates

Day 1 of 5 – Tour of Lake District & a couple of other places…

Knaresborough…

Great to see Stafford again and his ‘05 TF 135 (paint code PBT) for a couple of things. We last saw this car 4 years ago for head gasket replacement. Stafford asked if we could call by and sort out his drivers side window as it stopped working, he’d tried the fuse, to no avail. After testing the switch we found that it was the window motor itself that had packed up, we’d taken replacement ones with us and so got this fitted for him. Oil and filter change carried out for him while we were there.

A nice pot of tea and a chat with Stafford before we headed off on our journey, and now find ourselves in Dalton-in-Furness, where we have some very lovely digs for the night.

Thursday morning found us over in Chesterfield, where it was lovely to see Donna again and their ‘04 TF 135, that we’d worked on earlier in the year for head gasket replacement, we’d arranged at the time to return to replace the underfloor coolant pipes as we’d noticed these were a bit of the crusty side.

They had also recently noticed a couple of rises on the temperature gauge. We did all our usual checks and found that the spring clips, although still in place, had cracked into two separate halves on the PRT, so deduced that under pressure this would cause it to leak, resulting in over heating. This was duly replaced with a new PRT and new clips. The expansion tank also had stress fractures, so a decent secondhand one was fitted. All good to go, the car will Donna’s daily drive now for a while. Big thanks to her for the thoughtful flask of tea and biscuits that she brought down to us in the car park.

From there we went over to the workshop for a restock ready for our week ahead. A day off yesterday enjoyed to recharge the batteries. – https://ift.tt/vriudzw

Tuesday and Wednesday spent in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire…

After a fantastic long weekend away in the North East for a wedding, where Kevin’s Trophy had a starring role of whisking the Bridge & Groom away from the church following the ceremony, we had a very early start on Tuesday morning to head south for a couple of days…

Sandy in Bedfordshire for work on Daniel and Kathryn’s MGs.

First up was Kathryn’s ‘02 TF 135 for a full cambelt service. Then next up was Daniel’s MGF 120 mpi for a full cambelt service. Daniel’s car had recently been into another garage for some work and for some reason the gear cables had been removed to do the clutch (we couldn’t fit him in unfort), after having been refitted Daniel was having problems in selecting reverse, and stiffness in other gears, this was sorted by us reinstating the Mike Satur bell-crank and cable ends, that were originally fitted to the car, then we adjusted both ends of the cables to allow the correct movement.

Both cars all now sorted and up to date on their servicing. Good luck to both Kathryn and Daniel on their many projects that they have going on, we look forward to seeing the progress especially on the SVR and the respray on his MGF.

With a stopover in Wyboston last night, we headed over to Kimbolton where it was great to meet Andy for work on his ‘97 VVC Abingdon (paint code HYF), that he’s been gradually putting back to rights having bought it 5 years ago, where it had been somewhat neglected in its former life, sadly.

Having always had a problem with the clutch, he thought this was the issue and so got us in to replace it. But, the issue was down to a very seized up clutch-release arm, a blown slave-cylinder and blown master-cylinder. So we set about freeing off the release-arm, replaced both the slave and master-cylinders, which has resulted in a very nice smooth clutch pedal for him.

The cars looking really fab, with its new roof etc, few more things to be sorted and it will certainly be a cracking little car.

After a good chat and a cuppa with Andy, we bid our farewells and headed a few miles along the road to Ellington, near Huntingdon for hydragas pump up on Neil’s ‘98 VVC MGF (paint code HFF). Good to meet Neil that we shall hopefully be seeing again next spring for the cambelt service.

On our way home now in good time, with a localish one tomorrow in Chesterfield. – https://ift.tt/VxW39YJ

Day 5 & 6 of tour – South West & South Wales…

Porthcawl and Gorseinon on Wednesday, Cardiff today, Thursday…

It was lovely to finally meet Paul and Diane, in Porthcawl, yesterday morning. Their TF 135 (in paint code JHG) was one of the last ones built, bought in the fire-sale period after the closure of MG.

Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless, brake fluid changed, new spark plugs and a general check-over. Good to have a chat with Paul before we headed off.

From there we went over to Gorseinon where it was good to see Matt again and his ‘03 TF 160 (paint code JFV). Matt had been trying to chase down an oil leak, and asked if we could have a look next time we were in the area.

This was traced to be the seal on the exhaust cam that was the culprit. New one fitted and no more leaks. Alternator replaced for him, as well as fitting the correct bolts as the ones in it were too short. Nice to have a chat and cuppa with Matt before heading back to our digs in Pyle.

At least we managed to dodge the worst of storm Agnes! A very bracing walk in the early evening for me, along through the country park and the coast line on Sker beach, some huge waves and dramatic skies, what a stunning bit of the country.

Our last day, today found us in Cardiff, where it was lovely, as always, to see Ian and Hilary, for work on Verity’s steppy, that was in need of the minor service and an alternator belt change.

Another successful tour, with so many warm welcomes, great locations and fab MGs. Almost home now and a call into the workshop to unload a few things, ahead of setting off to the North East in the morning, for a wedding at the weekend, the only work we will be doing is pumping up Kevin’s Trophy, that is to be used as part of the ceremony. – https://ift.tt/t3rdQDN

Day 3 & 4 of tour – South West & South Wales…

Middlezoy on Monday, Barry on Tuesday…

An early departure from our super digs in Box yesterday morning and headed over to Middlezoy, where it was great to meet Grant for work on his ‘00 MGF 1.8 VVC in Old English White, that he’d owned for the past 5 years, originally bought as a doer-upper and sell on he became quite attached, so kept it.

Having had some trouble with the clutch he thought that this, itself, was on the way out, but was found to be a worn out slave cylinder, this was replaced along with new clevis on it and also on the pedal that were both pretty notchy.

The main issue, though, that we were there for, had occurred after booking the car in. Unfortunately, Grant had hit something in the road, that didn’t appear to be very substantial, but the damage it had subsequently caused was.

The underfloor coolant pipes were stoved in, the anti-roll bar had a significant bend in it and both drop links had snapped off. The underfloor tray was completely mangled on the front edge and one of the radiator hoses was split. So we set upon replacing and repairing all of the above.

The other issue he had been having with the car since taking on its ownership was a high-idle. All sensors and timing checked, all seemed ok, throttle re-set didn’t have any effect, swapped out the IACV etc, but the problem still persists and further investigation is needed as it appears that the ECU is getting the engine to run at just less than 1200 rpm.

A few other bits and pieces sorted for him, a bit of a long one, but pleased to say that she’s drivable again after having a few months sitting on the drive. What a lovely stable mate she has too, a beautiful looking Austin 7 that his Dad had rebuilt from the chassis up into a C cab version, so wonderful, I think we should have one in our collection, I’d use it for the weekly shop! Beautiful day weather wise and lots of welcome cuppas from Grant.

Our journey then continued along to Clevedon for our next place to stay for the night, last night, ahead of setting off for Barry in South Wales this morning.

It was great to meet Jon, for cambelt service on his ‘99 MGF steppy in Nightfire Red, that he’s enjoyed many trips in, over the years, taking in Spain and Italy amongst others, one of which was a Barry to Barry run, so fab!

We had to resort to ‘Plan B’ with the cambelt, as the engine mount bolts did not want to come undone! Happily this proved to be successful and she’s all set again, having not had a cambelt service for quite some time.

The second job of the day for a remap had been cancelled a couple of weeks ago, as the car had been sold, and we didn’t get chance to rebook anything else, it was an opportunity to give us a couple of restful hours off. A decent walk for me from Barry Island to Fontgary, along the coastal path, and Jon enjoyed a cuppa in the cafe there.

We now find ourselves in our new digs in Pyle, ahead of visiting Paul in Porthcawl and Matt in Gorseinon tomorrow. – https://ift.tt/BE47Vft

Day 1 & 2 of tour – South West & South Wales…

Nimlet and Biddestone, near Bath this morning, Sunday…

Our first call today was for a head gasket replacement and cambelt service on Steve’s ‘03 TF 135 (paint code LQW).

He’s owned the car for many years, and the head gasket had gone a few months back, the cambelt service had never been done to his knowledge. All sorted now for him, there was quite an amount of sludge to drain off and clean up. New HT leads, new spark plugs, new air filter and clean out of the box as there had been a resident mouse in it for a while.

Lovely to meet Steve and Claire and their grandson Bea who was keen to see what the engine looked like. Small world his daughter has just moved to the village I grew up in in Welton. Thanks to Claire for the delicious homemade biscuits.

On to the next call in Biddestone where it was great to meet Matt for head gasket replacement and cambelt service on his ‘01 MGF 1.8.

All sorted for Matt, on firing it up it was quite tappity on the hydraulic lifters, so a can of Wynn’s was added, which helped a little. The car needs to have a good run and get things moving again, if not the next the next step would be to replace the hydraulic lifters.

What an interesting day meeting Steve and Matt. A bit of a soggy one, but gazebo deployed and Matt had a car port, so all good!

We travelled down yesterday morning, and called in to Warmley, near Bristol, to see what was happening with Lee’s TF 135, that he’d been experiencing problems with rough running. Despite ours and other peoples help on his Facebook post he’d not managed to bottom it out, so asked if we could take a look, so as chance would have it we were able to.

Code reading pointed us to Lambda sensor, which we swapped out, a dodgy coil pack, despite it being recently replaced by Lee and incorrect ignition leads fitted, so we swapped these out too. Happily for Lee car now back running nice and smooth again.

Staying in a beautiful spot, in Box, home of Brunel’s famous tunnel.

The village we were working in this afternoon is where the TV series Agatha Raisin was used as the location.

Heading off a bit further south first thing in the morning. – https://ift.tt/NrgufRO

An early start on Wednesday morning to head down to Biggleswade for work on Paul’s ‘04 TF 135 in paint code MBB, that he’d been having a few issues with over the past few months, despite several attempts at trying to sort it, the car was still misbehaving. He’d been told the head gasket had gone, the thermostat needed replacing etc.

On running all of our initial checks we found that the expansion tank cap was completely duff and not holding any pressure whatsoever. All found to be good with regards to the head gasket, happily for Paul.

Cambelt service carried out, and on running up to temperature found that a couple of the return hoses were blocked, so these were cleared, the car is fitted with a PRT, which is doing what it should, the fans came on and off as they ought to and she’s all good to go.

Good to meet Paul, thanks to him for the cuppas. Fortunately, we just about dodged the worst of the rain!

We headed over to our digs for the night in a lovely village called Bozeat. They’d double booked us, which really wasn’t a problem as we got put up in the posh bit! Wow, it was absolutely fantastic and we would definitely like to return. So friendly and welcoming. Will add the link below. Maybe Jon and I could have a treatment next time! No we wouldn’t subject the lovely lady to that. 😆

I got up at the crack of dawn to enjoy a yomp as the rain had finally stopped. Crikey it was torrential! Hope everyone didn’t get flooded out.

We then headed over to Wolston, where it was lovely, as always, to see Bill and his MGF VVC in Tahiti Blue that was due its cambelt service again. Full service carried out for him, plus alternator belt, replacement of the clock as it had given up working, realignment of the steering wheel, handbrake adjustment and fitting of a new resister pack.

The plan was to replace the exhaust back-box too, but unfortunately the one that Bill had been sold was for a TF and not an F that the seller had reassured him was the correct one.

Not to worry, we can get it to fit and will sort a date out to return and get this fitted for him on his really great looking car, that’s just undergone a respray and had a new hood fitted since we last worked on it. The cat, of course, took a liking to said new hood, as they do.

Good run back home this afternoon, for a couple of nights, at the workshop in the morning to do the finishing touches to Jon’s TF ready for him to collect, restock the van ahead of setting off to the south west again on Saturday morning… – https://ift.tt/pUwHMr3

Sunday at the workshop to greet Geoff who drove up from Hilmarton, near Swindon to leave his MGF with us.

Justin had been desperately trying to contact us over the past couple of days, so as he was local in Cottingham, and we had an idea of what the issue was we asked him to come over. Sure enough as suspected his LE 500, in paint code 109, had a leak from the welds on the underfloor coolant pipes. So these were replaced for him. We reassured him about a few other things he was concerned about and also pointed out a few positive features of the car that he wasn’t aware of. Pleased to have got this sorted for Justin and he’s all good to go!

Jon drove over from Rotherham to leave his TF 160 with us us.

Work commenced nice and early on Monday morning on Geoff’s MGF 120 mpi, in paint code CMU, that he’s owned for the past 19 years and enjoyed many miles in.

Clutch replaced, along with new slave cylinder, free off of the clutch release arm, and flush through of the old manky fluid.

Cambelt service carried out, as this was well overdue. Hydragas pumped up to the correct ride height.

Great to see Geoff this morning who popped over for a cuppa, he’s staying just locally in what sounds to be a fab Airbnb, which we now have the details for, for future visitors. Good to hear that he’s enjoying his time in the area with what sounds a busy itinerary.

Work also commenced on Jon’s TF 160 that we’ve had in before, on his last visit it was noted that the sill end was in need of some attention and also on either rear sill it had been wrongly jacked up, in the past, resulting in them being pushed in, causing holes and corrosion. So Jon set about fabricating sections to put these right.

Full underfloor treatment also carried out, resulting in the car looking as good underneath as it does on top!

A productive few days at the workshop, van all stocked up too ahead of setting off in the morning down to Biggleswade and Wolston.

(Please just leave us a voicemail or send a message as we can’t always answer the phone as we’re usually under a car or in an engine bay). – https://ift.tt/4q0oXcE

Workshop – Thursday & Friday…

Paul drove up from Kingswinford to drop off his ‘05 TF 135, in paint code LEF, with us on Wednesday, for some work, having recently purchased it in March. The car is in amazing condition and low mileage, and he wanted to future-proof it as much as is possible.

Our ‘Option 3’ was carried out, which includes replacing the lower oil rail and thermostat.
Plus the following; cambelt, water pump, tensioner replaced.
Underfloor coolant pipes fitted.
New expansion tank, complete with sensor fitted.
Piper Cross air filter fitted.
New clutch slave-cylinder, clevis pin, system bleed and free-off of the release arm.
Mike Satur back-box and heat-shield fitted. Then finally a full underfloor treatment carried out.

A very productive couple of days, and we’re pleased to have everything done for Paul, ready for him to collect tomorrow morning.

He’s enjoyed a few days, visiting the local areas, whilst his car has been in with us, let’s hope the weather stays fair for him to enjoy the run back home tomorrow. – https://ift.tt/nhpWJ04