North East trip – 16th to 20th June 2025
Just arrived home this Friday evening, following a week up in the north east of the country, starting off with a bright and early start on Monday morning to head to the first call on this week’s agenda.
Durham – 2004 TF 115 Sunstorm (Nightfire – CBT). Mike had asked if he could be included on our next trip to the area to replace both front wishbones, the underfloor coolant pipes with stainless and sort out the sticking throttle, we’d taken both cable and pedal, turns out the pedal was causing the issue so this was replaced for him. All done in good time we made our way to our digs for the next four nights in Gateshead.
Tuesday – North Shields for the first call on Dave’s 2003 TF 135 (Trophy Blue – JEV).
Underfloor coolant-pipes replaced with stainless ones and replacement of the rear plastic window. As Dave’s is a blue roof, the panel has been posted away to Ireland and we will return to fit it, a temporary black one fitted for now. Good to see Dave again, we’ll be back soon!
We then headed over to Cramlington, for the minor service on Alan’s TF 135 (one of the post LE 500 run cars). Discs and pads replaced all round too. Great to have a chat and catch-up with Alan.
Wednesday – first call in Pegswood – 2003 TF 160 (Xpower Grey – LEF). Daniel had bought the car as a lockdown project, but had got busy with other things so was now wanting to get it finished. Full cambelt service carried out for him. Then he’s going to carry on replacing the interior in Grenadine, which will look fab when he’s finished. Good to meet him.
We then headed over to Belsay for work on a TF 160, which was registered in 2007 (Ignition Blue – JGY). Head gasket replacement carried out along with a cambelt service.
We didn’t meet the owner, Alastair, as he was away on his hols, but we were looked after very well by his cousin Chris.
Our last call of the day was in Dinnington, where it was lovely to meet Chris who had just bought himself a MGF 75th anniversary (Mulberry – CDM) number 1904 of 2000, which was in need of a hydragas pump up.
Thursday – Sunderland – 2003 TF 135 (Trophy Blue – JEV). It was lovely to see Steve again, who has owned this car from new and never had any issue with the proverbial, until he noticed a few telltale signs last year. So he tucked it away for the winter months and awaited our visit. All gaskets duly replaced, along with the service items. Thanks to Steve’s parents for the loan of their driveway and for all the welcome cuppas. We look forward to seeing Steve and his Dad again, next year, when they come for a run out to the workshop for the cambelt service.
That brings us to this morning, and a very warm Friday. We left our fab digs in Gateshead and headed over to the first call of the day.
Consett – 2001 MGF 120 (Platinum – MNX). Andy had just recently bought himself the car, having wanted to own one for a number of years. Initially, it was booked in for just a check over to see what was needed to be done. But, as he was having issues with the EML and had found that the cambelt service was well overdue we reshuffled yesterday’s original booking to this morning.
Full cambelt service carried out, a very timely save of the alternator belt as it was hanging on by a wing and a prayer! Catalytic converter replaced, along with the forward Lambda sensor. New HT leads replaced as his fell to pieces. A chat about a few others things he’d like doing at a later date at the workshop and he’s good to go. Great to meet Andy, thanks to him for the cuppas and not forgetting the box full of different varieties of popcorn, that’ll keep Jon quiet for a while!
Then onto our last call of the week, this afternoon, which found us back in Durham for the annual minor service on Roger’s 1996 MGF 120 (British Racing Green – HAM), plus replacement of one of the track rod ends. Great to see Roger and have chat with him before heading home.
Bit of a long slow stop-start trip in the heat, but it was great to finally get back and be greeted by our very lovely and very vocal cat.
As always warm welcomes and fab hospitality from everyone on our latest trip in the north east, on what has been a successful and productive week.
Hope everyone has a super weekend, where possible, and can get out and about for some top down fun in the sun. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/LsmN6QA
