Hope everyone had a good festive season, and here we are already a week into a very chilly 2026…
The last job of 2025 was on the 30th December, up in the north east, first in Amble to get the engine mount bracket replaced on Darren’s ‘05 TF 135, that the bolt had sheared off on (see previous post). Big thanks to Phil Bell & Maggy for posting one out to us. Then we headed to Blyth, Ian had read that we would be back up and had a problem with his TF 135 (Chinese post-LE run). The 3-way coolant hose connector had split so we advised to purchase a Mike Satur anodized one, which we duly fitted for him, glad to have him sorted as it’s his daily runner at the moment, good to see him again too.
So after a few days off, over new year, we got back at it in the workshop on a very cold Monday morning. Doors shut and space-heater sparked up, only for it to run out of gas after 20 minutes, nooo not good! 🥶
Paul had his ‘97 MGF 1.8 mpi delivered to us from Sheffield, we’d last seen the car for assessment, following a suspected snapped cambelt. Sure enough the damage was significant, so we got on with sourcing a replacement engine, thanks to Will Naylor for supplying it.
Originally booked in to commence work on Wednesday, the clutch job booked in for Monday morning had forgotten! So we got cracking on this.
Old engine out, then once it was out, we replaced the clutch and water pump. Once back in new head gasket fitted, cambelt replaced, alternator belt replaced and everything else reassembled.
Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless, hydragas pump up, new battery fitted and coolant cap. Car ran up to temperature and now sounding smooth as, the engine we replaced was half the age of the old one. So ‘Pixie’ is now all ready for a new lease of life and for Paul and his wife Enis to enjoy for many years to come.
Robert had also trailered over his ‘06 TF 135 to us from the north east on Monday afternoon, initially booked in for a clutch replacement, he asked if we could also take a look at a couple of other issues and give the car a check over and then send it for an MOT.
We set about replacing the clutch and discovered, once it was out, that it had been done not too long ago. The clutch release-arm was seized solid, which if not eased off at the time of fitting a new clutch kit it will just leave you in the same position. The pressure-plate had been forced on to the friction-plate, wearing away all four of the retaining rivets. See pics. Arm duly eased off, and everything reassembled. One of the bolts was missing on the gearbox support arm and one of the others was loose! All four bolts replaced. The PRT was leaking, as it had a broken clip and the other had been replaced with a tie-wrap, hmm.
Plus we replaced the rear nearside shocker as the spring had snapped, nearside rear drop-link replaced. Window mechanism repaired, as this had collapsed.
Minor service carried out then sent round for the MOT. All now complete and ready for Robert to come and collect. We look forward to seeing him again, we’re really pleased to have it all sorted for him to finally enjoy getting some miles in.
Our other visitor this week was Steve, who came over from Woodmansey to leave his ‘05 TF 135 Spark with us for its annual service and MOT. Good to see him as always.
So with our no-show on Monday we’re done a day ahead of schedule, so will take the opportunity tomorrow to drop off the yearly tax returns, which we did whilst off at new year. Then head over to Stockport to drop off a big batch of spheres with Kevin for refurbishing, and then finally on to visit Will to collect a galvanised subframe.
Hope the weather isn’t too grotty with storm Goretti threatening to wreak havoc. Stay warm and safe everyone, batten down those hatches! 💨 – https://ift.tt/jxg7baB
