Swanland, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Barton-on-Humber, Alpraham in Cheshire, Warrington, Ashton-in-Makerfield…
A bit of a longer than usual week this one, commencing last Sunday with a local call, just up the hill from us, in Swanland to replace the alternator on Peter’s 2002 TF 135 in Solar Red (CMU) as it had been squealing like a banshee and waking up his neighbours!
Monday and Tuesday found us in the workshop for work on Ian’s TF 135 (post LE run), that he’d driven down in from Blyth at the weekend. He’d had quite a few advisories on the last MOT. All brake lines replaced, all discs and pads replaced, grease top suspension arms, replace a track rod end and then carry out a full underfloor treatment. Great to see Ian as always when he came over to collect on Tuesday afternoon, we heard later that he’d had a great run back home.
We then headed over to Barton-on-Humber on Wednesday morning, where it was great to meet Chris and his year 2000 MGF 120 mpi, in Alumina (HFH), that had sprung a leak from the welds on the underfloor coolant pipes. Thinking that’s all we were going for (never think that!) we then discovered on running the car up to temperature that the head gasket had actually gone as a result. Date booked in to get this sorted for Chris. We did have another call booked in, for a minor service, but as the car hadn’t really turned a wheel in the past 12 months it was decided between us and the owner to leave it until the cambelt service is due next year. Good job really as it turned into a longer day than expected.
Back over at the workshop on Thursday morning, to work on Hamish and Sandra’s stepspeed, that he trailered down from Greenlaw on Monday. When we were with him back in August we checked the car over as it was suspected that it was aqua locked and obviously couldn’t risk starting it up.
Thankfully, on removing the cylinder head on Thursday there was no further damage to the pistons or liners etc. All gaskets replaced, along with a cambelt service and she’s good to go, Hamish and Sandra have owned the car for some time and have taken trips over to France in her, so happily they can now continue to enjoy her. A shame we didn’t get to see Hamish when he came to collect, as we were on the road, but great to hear from him to say he’d taken her along to his local garage to have the MOT done and is looking forward to getting her back on the road.
Friday morning found us up bright and very early to head over to Alpraham in Cheshire for work on Wayne and Ali’s year 2000 MGF 120 mpi that they’d owned for many years and had actually used as their wedding car. It’s been off the road for some time and they made the decision to invest in her and get her back up and running for their son to start using.
Head gasket and cambelt service carried out, along with a few other bits. It still needs a few other things doing to get her right, so a date arranged for Wayne to bring her over to the workshop in a few weeks time whilst he can visit relatives in the area. Really great to meet them all and have fusses with their beautiful woofers.
Following an overnight stay in Warrington we headed on to Ashton-in-Makerfield this Saturday morning. Seemed silly to have driven home yesterday only to return along the busy old M62 again today.
It was lovely to see brothers David and Peter again, whose cars were both due for minor services and a couple of other bits.
First up was David’s year 2000 MGF VVC in British Racing Green (HFF), minor service carried out, along with replacing the gear-cable ends and gaiters, as his were quite worn out. New alternator fitted as his was also screeching like a banshee! New alternator belt fitted too.
Peters 2004 TF 160, also in British Racing Green, had the minor service done, along with replacing the lower timing cover, as a couple of the bolt holes had snapped off. He’d had the oil pressure sensor replaced, but it still wasn’t reading, which we found to be the gauge itself. We’ll post one of ours out to him and between them they’ll fit it.
Big thanks to David for all the cracking brews, and Jon’s steak pie! Plus it was lovely to have fusses with David’s very sweet woofer Rosie. We look forward to seeing them all again in two years time when the cambelt services are due once more.
After a quieter run along the M62 this afternoon we’re now back home, looking forward to a day off tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a fab weekend everyone near and far. 🌻 – https://ift.tt/ND9bBvH
