Category: News & Updates

A busy week away taking in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex…

Monday morning found us heading down to Trunch for our first call of the week, where it was really lovely to meet Gary and his 1998 Abingdon, in Brooklands Green (HYF), that he’s fairly recently taken ownership of. Minor service carried out along with a pump-up of the ride height.

After a stopover in North Walsham we went over to Shadingfield on Tuesday morning where it was great to see Nigel again and his 2004 TF 135 in Royal Blue (JFM). Minor service carried out this time, along with replacing the HT leads and coil packs. Thanks to Nigel for the homemade lemon drizzle and delicious fruit cakes!

Our next call of the day was over in Old Newton, near Stowmarket for work on Andrews 2005 TF 135 Spark in Starlite Silver (MBB). Short cambelt service carried out along with alternator belt. Shame not to actually meet Andrew, but thanks to his lovely wife for the cuppas, good to chat to her before we headed off to our next digs over in Ipswich.

Wednesday morning found us over in Clopton, near Woodbridge where it was great to see Kenneth again and his 2001 MGF 1.8 i in Wedgewood (JBH) that we had replaced the clutch on last year. This time all that was required was a minor service and a hydragas lift. We’d taken a set of spheres as he wasn’t sure that at least one of the spheres had gone, but they were all still in good condition. Good to have a chat and a few cuppas with Kenneth before we bid our farewell and headed on to our next digs.

After a stopover in a really beautiful spot (I got a very decent early season deal!) just outside of Colchester city centre, we set off bright and early on Thursday morning to head a few miles along across the city to see Claire’s 2002 TF 135 in British Racing Green (HFF), that was due it’s cambelt service again. Full service carried out for her. Great to see Claire again and have a cuppa and catch-up.

The next call of the day was over in Halstead for some further work on Eamonn’s 2003 TF 160 in Le Mans Green (HFN). Full cambelt service carried out, alternator belt, plus replacement of the nearside rear driveshaft oil-seal, that had been pointed out at a recent MOT, gearbox oil change. The heaters had stopped working not long after our last visit, so we carried out an oil-cooler bypass and replaced the heater-control-valve, which has resolved the issue and he now has heat back in the heaters.

Good to see Eamonn and his lovely wife again, thanks to them for all the cuppas and homemade buns. Thankfully, there was just enough room in the garage to work in, as it was blew an absolute hoolie all day! A bit of a long day, but fortunately our digs were only a short distance away, and another very nice spot next to Goslfield lake, despite the storms throughout the night.

And that brings us to this Friday morning, we got up bright and early to head up to the last call of the week in Wiggenhall St Peter, where it was great to catch-up with Mark as always. The cambelt service due date had come around again on his 2010 LE500 (paint code 287), so a short service carried out this time, along with greasing both front top arms. Thanks to Mark for the cuppas and biscuits.

We’re now back home, having had a successful first full week away of the year, big thanks to everyone for their warm welcomes and fab hospitality, with some really great MGs too. – https://ift.tt/OW85qLx

Holme on Spalding Moor, Ratby, Northampton, Harpole, Conisbrough…

A busy Monday morning at the workshop.

We had Justin’s orange 2008 LE 500 over from Cottingham (number 060) for an MOT. Offside front track-rod end came up as an advisory so we replaced this. Plus advisories on surface rust so a date to be found and to get it booked in for the undersealing to be done. Simon came over from Dronfield in his 2004 TF 135 for minor service and MOT and Ray came over from Hull in his 2003 TF 135 for minor service, replacement of nearside rear wheel-bearing and the MOT.

Great to see everyone again, and get everything sorted.

Tuesday morning we headed off early to Ratby where it was good to see Paul again and his orange 2008 LE 500 (number 065). Paul had attempted to change the front brakes, but couldn’t remove the caliper-pins so asked if we could come over and help. Paul had bought replacement Mike Satur pins so the old ones were duly removed and new ones fitted.

From there we headed down to Northampton to see Jon’s 2002 TF 135 that he’d recently taken ownership of. Minor service carried out, oil leak located and sorted, new HT leads fitted and a squeaky clutch release arm de-squeaked. Shame not to meet Jon as he was at work, but thanks to his wife for her hospitality.

We stayed overnight in a lovely village called Flore as seemed silly to drive all the way back home again only to return to Harpole the next day.

Our first job of the day on Wednesday was unavoidably postponed, so we went over to Neil’s earlier than expected. The cambelt service was due on his 2002 TF 135, so full service carried out along with a check of the handbrake and rear caliper, which was found to be a faulty mechanism, which will require a new caliper. Good to see Neil again, thanks to him for the cuppas and biscuits before driving back home.

We headed over to Conisbrough on Thursday morning to sort out an issue with Marks 2003 TF 115, the SRS light kept staying on which we suspected was due to the seatbelt pretensioner being dodgy, so we replaced this with one of our secondhand ones, which has resolved it. Minor service carried out along with new HT leads as his just crumbled. Great to see Mark again, date booked in for the cambelt service next year.

From there we went round the corner to check out Neil’s TF 135, while he was undersealing it recently he’d become concerned about a couple of things and just wanted reassurance that it wasn’t anything too serious. Date also booked in for the cambelt service next year.

Back to the workshop on Friday to give the van a service and get it all stocked up for our next away trip, starting on Monday morning in Norfolk.

Day off today and then tomorrow we head over to Stockport, to collect our refurbed hydragas spheres and then to make a trip up to Carnforth to check out Adams ZR that he’s been having a few issues with. We suspect from his description that it could be the Saab valve at fault, so a replacement one duly ordered just in case, we shall see anyway and go from there, he knows it may not resolve it, but is grateful for us coming out on a Sunday to check.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! – https://ift.tt/hw54sP2

Withernsea, Louth, Burnley, Bransholme, HOSM, Deeping St James…

Sunday morning found us over to Withernsea to check out an issue Laura was experiencing with ‘Princess’, her MGF. We carried out various checks and couldn’t find anything amiss. Hopefully she will behave this week when Laura starts her new job! We made the most of the fab weather and popped down to Spurn Point while we were there.

Our first call of the week on Monday morning was down in Louth, where it was good to see Stu again for the cambelt service on his 2006 TF 135 in Ignition Blue (JRJ).

Full cambelt service carried out on this fairly low mileage good example known to Stu as ‘Royston’. Thanks to Stu for the brews and bacon butties. We should have been heading on to Bilsby for hydragas pump up that was booked in, but that didn’t happen in the end.

With a couple of unavoidable cancellations at the workshop on Tuesday we offered the date to Walter who was having some issues with his Mk I 2001 MGF 1.6 in Solar Red (CMU). So we made our way over to Burnley to see what was occurring. He thought the head gasket was on its way out again, and it had a misfire. On code reading we found various errors. Lambda sensor changed and the coil packs replaced with the originals that were on it. The head gasket was fine. But found after a chat with Walter that the cambelt service was due. We replaced this along with new spark plugs, new fuel filter and new coolant cap.

Great to meet Walter and chat while we worked, thanks to him for the brews and biscuits.

As we weren’t too far away from our pals Maggy and Phil we thought we’d pay them a surprise visit, it was really great to meet their newest family member too, the beautiful and very jolly Jasper! Sorry didn’t get a pic. 🐶

Wednesday found us, not too far away, in Bransholme where it was great to see Tony again. His 1999 MGF 120 mpi in Tahiti Blue (JRJ) was due for its cambelt service, full service duly carried out for him. Thanks to Tony for the brews and biscuits, good to have a catch up with him.

Thursday morning took us over to the workshop to get the van restocked and loaded up with the big old bearing press. Plus we went over to the MOT station to finally get a load of MOTs booked in that have been on my ‘to do’ list. We did have a second day planned to work on one of the cars that was unavoidably postponed, so we weren’t really being lazy!

That brings us to Friday again, and we headed off bright and early to head down to Deeping St James. We needed to call in to Rimmer Bros on the way and were there for them opening to pick up another Lambda sensor for today’s job, we’d used the one for today unexpectedly earlier in the week. We usually keep quite a few on stock, but they’ve been low on their stock recently and only had one in. Yes there are cheapo ones available on eBay, but there isn’t any point in fitting those, we’d only be having to make a return visit a couple of weeks later.

Graeme’s 2002 TF 160 in Tahiti Blue (JRJ) had received a few advisories on the last MOT.

We replaced both front wheel bearings, the rear suspension arm, adjusted the handbrake and replaced the Lambda sensor. The exhaust back-box we found had a bit of a blow, so after a chat about new exhaust options he’s going to order himself a Mike Satur Daytona with the quads tail finishers, which will suit the car nicely!

Great to see Graeme again, thanks to him for the brews and biscuits, we look forward to seeing him again next time.

So that’s us done for the week, back home now after a slow run back up. There was an issue on the Humber Bridge, just hope that everyone concerned are okay. We’ve a bit of a busy weekend ahead with one thing and another. Hope everyone has a great one wherever you may be! – https://ift.tt/jkheuFQ

Cuddington, Greasby, Bingley, Holme on Spalding Moor…

An early start on Monday morning to head over to Cuddington, near Crewe, where it was great to see Steve as always for some work on his fab 2001 Trophy (in FAR).

Steve had noticed all four brake hoses were looking a bit aged so wanted them replacing with some Goodridge stainless ones. Brake fluid change, oil change and new alternator belt also replaced. He’d noticed some fluid underneath the car and thought it was a coolant leak, but on our inspection found it to be coming from the clutch slave-cylinder, so we replaced it with a new one along with new clevis pin as his was a tad notchy.

Thanks to Steve for all the cuppas, bacon butties and chocolate biscuits, much appreciated on a cold wet day.

Following an overnight stay in Chester, we headed over to Greasby, on Tuesday morning where it was great to see Simon again. His 1998 MGF 120 was in need of a minor service, and his fairly new acquisition of a 2004 ZT 120 was also due a minor service. A lovely example with very low mileage.

Thanks to Simon for the cuppas and biscuits, good to have a chat with him as always, then we were on our way home.

We headed over to Bingley first thing on Wednesday morning, where we met Malcolm who owns Gasoline Alley and has had many MGs pass through the doors. However, this particular one had got him stumped, as well as another local garage who had tried, so asked if we would be able to help.

On doing a cambelt service the engine mount bolts wouldn’t move, which is a fairly common occurrence. But we managed to get round it with our ‘Plan B’. Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt and air filter all replaced. It was good to meet Malcom and really interesting to hear about his long history in the motor industry.

Thursday morning found us back in the workshop for work on John’s 2004 TF 135 (in HFF) that he’d left with us the day before. He’d dropped in to see us on spec a few weeks ago whilst visiting relatives in the area.

Full cambelt service carried out, underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless, and a Mike Satur Daytona exhaust back-box fitted. All done and ready for John to collect in the afternoon, when he and his wife came back over from Keighley. Originally booked in alongside another job in the workshop that morning, which was canceled in the end. Saying that it would have been too much work to do in the rain on his drive and John was just happy to get everything sorted so soon. It’s a very good example, with a tasteful interior.

And that brings us to the end of week, and we booked the day off as it’s my lovely dad’s 85th birthday today so we’re taking him out for dinner at his favourite place.

Have a great weekend everyone, finally it looks like we’re heading for some dry weather and warmer temperatures. Good job as I think we will all be either growing webbed feet or gaining some gills! 🦆 – https://ift.tt/czvdg2D

The plan originally for this week was to go away for a few days in the warmth with it having been the occasion of Jon’s birthday on Sunday, but we had second thoughts on that as a bit too busy. I know, bring out the baby violin. He had the day off and went down to Stoneleigh instead, not very exciting in the end.

Ben had got in touch with us at the end of November to see if we could come over to Ingleton and sort a few things on a 2002 TF 160 (in xpower grey – LEF) that he’d just recently purchased, which didn’t have any paperwork. With it being a fairly large list we blocked out a couple of days to complete the work.

We then had an enquiry from Ian in Keighley, who also had a recent purchase of a 2004 TF 135 (in Trophy Blue – JEV), that didn’t have a great deal of history.

Tuesday morning found us up well before dawn to head up to Keighley, only for the turbo on the van to let go a couple of miles along the motorway. We limped it steadily back home and set into place a contingency plan, which involved decanting all the gear and parts necessary for the jobs into the back of the X5, in the dark! A quick message to Ian to let him know we’d be later than planned we still arrived at 10 o’clock, not bad going.

The only thing we couldn’t fit in was the gazebo, and seeing the forecast another message to Ian, who fortunately had one, which he kindly deployed in readiness for our arrival.

The job went really well with no awkward bolts and we were on our way by midday. Thanks to Ian for the brew and the shelter!

We then made our way over to Settle to stop for a cuppa and cake en route as we were too early to check in to the digs in Ingleton.

Wednesday morning found us less than a mile down the road to meet Ben. He has a company called Van Magik and a nice big workshop, complete with heater!

Ben hadn’t experienced any issues with the head gasket, but after doing a bit of research he wanted to have it done for peace of mind as he’s got a big tour of Scotland planned later in the year. When we removed the head found that the gasket that was on it was a Payen elastomer type, and that also been fitted with a saver-shim, along with a load of sealant.

Cambelt service carried out, which didn’t go to plan so had to resort to our Plan B, which was also not playing ball. Alternator belt replaced, but the bolt did not want to come undone either. The fuel filter hadn’t been replaced in a long time and was blocked. Air filter was well overdue a change.

Ben had bought a Mike Satur 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, which we fitted. He originally had on the list a new induction system and a new fuel pump. Then finally a Kmaps map was installed for him and he’s good to go.

A long days work, but we got everything done, so thankful of the heat as it was a really cold and wet day. Thanks to Ben’s lovely Dad for all the brews! I didn’t get any pics of the car, which is a shame as it’s a good example, too busy talking.

We wish Ben fun on his travels through Scotland. He’s sure to have a great trip.

So after another nights stopover in Ingleton we set off for home first thing on Thursday morning. Again we had thought about staying over another night and for me to climb Ingleborough again, but severe weather warnings were forecast.

Julie came over from Grimsby to collect her TF 135 from the workshop today. What should have been a weekend off Jon will now find himself in the murky depths of the vans engine replacing the turbo. Fingers crossed it goes to plan ready for our trip west on Monday and Tuesday.

It was lovely to see Chris and Sam again on Monday who came to pick up their Steppy, having made the epic journey from Acharacle, they then spent a few days in Scarborough before heading back home again on Thursday. Good to see on FB they made it back safely and dodged the snow this time.

An end to an era sees lovely Steve Gibson letting go his fab Trophy that he’s owned for decades and used as his daily commuter for most of it. The car will be enjoying a new chapter in its life in France. He’s also retired from running the MG North Yorkshire group that’s he’s been a great source of help and support in, not to mention the countless runs and events he’s successfully organised and held over the years. He’s still going to be around of course, but has bought himself a very snazzy Z4 to have some fun in. Thanks to Steve for sending us a lovely message thanking us for our help over the years, much appreciated. We shall be keeping in touch and will definitely take up the offer of a brew and a catch-up, with him and George, when we’re passing through. 💛

Have a great weekend everyone, near and far, I think there may even be some better weather in store tomorrow, which will be very welcome won’t it. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/CuKEHNo

Monday morning at workshop and ready for the arrival of Nigel and Jo, in their 2003 MG TF 135 (in Typhoon – IAB), who had driven up from Burnham-on-Sea on Sunday.

Initially booked on for a rear subframe replacement, as it had been noted, when they took it in for the recent respray, that there were holes in it.

Once up on our lift to give it an inspection we noticed that it was only the gearbox support arm that was holed and not the subframe itself.

We replaced this with a galvanized one and then rust treated and painted up the subframe. Whilst in there, we carried out a clutch replacement and a full cambelt service. The clutch had certainly done it miles, so was the right time to replace it.

The 4-way coolant connector just about fell to pieces, so this was replaced with new. The brake lights weren’t coming on and was found to be a faulty switch, so this was also replaced. All done and then sent round for the MOT on Wednesday afternoon.

It’s a beautiful example and does now look like a new car!

Lovely to see Nigel and Jo again, when they made their way back up the country to collect this afternoon. We waved them off on their long journey back, only for them to turn around after half a mile, as we’d omitted to refit the speed sensor, so we waved them off again and hope they have a smooth run back home, despite the truly grotty weather.

We will see them again on Sunday at Stoneleigh as they will be manning the stall again at the MG & Triumph Spares day, it’s a good event and worth a visit if it isn’t already on your calendars.

Everything now all complete on Julie’s TF 135, following the MOT on Wednesday, which brought up a few advisories. Now ready for her to come over from Grimsby to collect on Monday. So essentially we had an unexpected day off today, which was nice.

Have a great weekend everyone near and far. Maybe see a few people for a long overdue catch-up on Sunday! – https://ift.tt/zt5P2Fg

A busy and productive week, with a mix of days at the workshop and on the road…

An early start on Monday morning at the workshop to get cracking with the work on Julie’s 2004 TF 135 (in Royal Blue – JFM) that she’d had delivered to us over the weekend.

The car has been off the road for some time, as had failed the last MOT and Julie was deciding whether to keep it going, having owned it from new. So, after weighing everything up with us regarding the work and the subsequent costs, she decided to go ahead. Both front wishbones replaced, welding to both rear sills, amongst quite an extensive list, there’s still a couple things to sort next week and then finally to get it MOTd at the garage we use.

We had intended on going over to Crewe on Tuesday, but having heard the weather report with storm Chandra putting in an appearance, we contacted Ian, who fully understood that it would be in everyone’s best interests to reschedule to Wednesday, when the forecast was slightly less grim.

So Tuesday was spent at the workshop, with work continuing on Julie’s TF and an investigation into what had caused ‘Princess’s’ head gasket to go again. On pressure testing the system, found that the radiator hose clip had sprung a leak, both clips duly replaced and strip down commenced.

We eventually got to Crewe on Wednesday, following many delays on the M62, for work on Ian’s year 2000 MGF 120, (in British Racing Green – HFF) that he’d bought fairly recently to enjoy using for auto-solos. He’s been busy stripping it all out and making various modifications to get it race ready and asked us to come over to do a few bits. Head gasket replacement, cambelt service, hydragas pump up and a coolant flush all done. Great to meet Ian, we wish him well with the season ahead, and with his first event in this car in a few weeks time.

Thursday morning found us over in Marsden, near Huddersfield, where it was lovely to meet Mike and his 2004 TF 115 (in xpower grey – LEF) that his wife had bought him as a birthday present 10 years ago.

Full cambelt service carried out, along with replacing the throttle body for a 52 mm and installing a Kmaps remap. Interesting chats with Mike while we worked about his days spent rally driving and subsequently as a steward. Thanks to him for all the mugs of tea and choccy bics, very welcome on a cold drizzly day.

We then headed over to Emley for hydragas pump up on a 1998 MGF 120 (in Tahiti – JRJ) that has been in Mike’s family from new and is now going to be enjoyed by his granddaughter. The car was very low, and he was getting concerned, as the local garage, who used to pump it up, had got rid of their pump, sadly. Good to meet Mike, we’re pleased to have it back to the correct ride height again for them.

And that brings us to Friday again. Gary drove down from Teeside, in his TF 135 for some welding work to be carried out on the offside front sill, that he’d found when sanding down some rust spots. Great to see Gary as always and have a catch-up, we are pleased to hear that his son Liam has completed his apprenticeship at Porsche, can’t believe how that time has flown, doesn’t seem five minutes ago that Liam was telling us about starting it! Well done and congratulations to him for a brilliant career ahead. Shame about the foul weather for Gary’s drive back home in his car, that again can’t believe, was six years ago that he bought ‘Madam’ from us.

We’re also pleased to report that ‘Princess’ (year 2001 Mk1 MGF 120) is now back together again, having had a new head gasket, and a couple of other bits that we found whilst in there. She’s all ready for mum and daughter Leona and Laura to collect.

I’ve not looked at the forecast for the weekend yet, but here’s hoping it’s slightly more clement than the past cold and dismal grey days most of us have experienced. All the same, have a great weekend everyone near and far. It won’t be long until we have those sunny top-down days again! – https://ift.tt/Byk3dUx

What a wet week that was, thank crunchie it’s Friday!

Wednesday found us over in Tickhill, near Doncaster, for work on John’s year 2000 MGF 120 mpi (in Solar Red – CMU). We’d last seen him and the car a couple of years ago for hydragas pump up. Since then he’d had it in to a garage for a head replacement and to then find where quite a bad oil leak was coming from, only to be told that it would be in his best interests to just scrap the car. That’s not very helpful is it.

John thought the head gasket had gone again, so asked if we could come over and sort it. Fortunately, for John, the head gasket was fine. The cambelt service, however, was well overdue. So we got cracking and did this for him. The brake lines had come up as an advisory on his last MOT, so we replaced these for him too. The oil leak was coming from the cam oil-seals and the oil-pump oil-seal, so we replaced all of these and cleaned up the excess oil. We’re pleased to have got John sorted, he can again enjoy what is a cracking car, that definitely doesn’t need to be scrapped!

Thursday morning we went only a short distance along to Kirk Ella, for the minor service on Steve’s year 2001 MGF 120 (also in Solar Red). Good to see Steve again.

From there we headed over to Broomfleet as Laura had been experiencing an intermittent misfire on her MGF ‘Princess’, on inspection we found that the head gasket had gone again, not sure why, but we’ve arranged for her to come back into the workshop next week to get her sorted once again.

This Friday morning found us over in Stockport, for a cambelt service on Dave’s 2003 TF 135 (another Solar Red). He’d been given the car and is gradually getting everything done to get it back on the road, having been stood for a couple of years. It’s very low mileage and has evidently been well cared for in the past. We’d apparently worked on it some years ago, as there was one of our decals in the folder, which unfortunately didn’t have a lot of service history and we can’t recall the previous owner, which is a shame. Pleased to see though that Dave is invested in it and will enjoy a new lease of life.

Thanks to everyone for the welcome warming brews this week. Have a great weekend everyone, here’s hoping the wet stuff clears up a bit. ☔️ – https://ift.tt/NwpekdU