North East trip – 29th June to 3rd July 2026.
Taking in; Gosforth, Wideopen, Cramlington, Blyth, Bedlington, Newcastle, Gateshead.
Friday and back home after a successful week away in the north east, it seems yonks ago now our start of the week on Monday morning in Gosforth, where it was great to meet Colin for work on his 2003 TF 135 in Le Mans Green (HFN). The car had been overheating since having a split in a hose. First off we had to fettle the bonnet release, once that was done we cracked on with replacing the head gasket, the fuel filter as it had been fitted upside down, plus a new coolant cap and now all good to go.
A sunny Tuesday morning found us in Wideopen, where we met Duncan and his 1998 MGF VVC, in British Racing Green (HFF) for a short cambelt service. The expansion tank was snapped at the base, therefore explaining the loss of coolant, so we replaced this with one on our stock in the van.
We then went over to Cramlington, where it was lovely as always to see Alan. His 2010 TF 135 (post LE run) was booked in for the annual minor service, he’d also been experiencing an issue with intermittent non-starting so we’d taken along a new starter motor. Minor service delayed as he’s not really been doing the miles, so may as well keep his money in his pocket and we’ll see him next year. Thanks to Alan for the big pot of tea! Plus, it was lovely to have fusses with his woofers and Frank kept a close eye on proceedings!
A short commute up to Blyth for work on Ian’s and Terry’s MGs on Wednesday morning.
First up was Ian’s 2012 TF 135 (another post LE run), which was booked in for a full cambelt service (where do the years go?!). He’d also been experiencing some issues with the car where it was becoming too unreliable to drive. He’d had it in to a coupe of local garages who despite many tries couldn’t resolve the issue. On code reading, the main culprit being the Lambda sensor, so this was replaced. Following a test drive, all seemed good. As we were still in the area we advised a further test drive the following day for the car to relearn its fueling.
Next up was Terrys 2001 Trophy in Trophy Yellow (FAR) that he’d dropped off at Ian’s that morning. Cambelt service carried out for him, again where do the years go! Good to see him and Katie again and have a quick catch-up when they came to collect. Big thanks to Ian for the regular supply of welcome cups of tea and his new recipe rock buns!
A very windy Thursday morning found us heading up to Bedlington for a full cambelt service on Paul’s 2009 LE 500. Great, as always, to see Paul and have a good chat while we worked and thanks to him for the many cracking brews and of course the chunk of chocolate fudge cake for Jon.
From there, we trundled a few miles up the road to Morpeth, where it was lovely to meet Ian for the minor service on his 2005 TF 115 in Starlight Silver (MBB). Good to have a chat and a brew, hope he has a grand time at the MG Northumbria show on Sunday in his MGBGT.
Following a message from Ian to say that all still not right with his TF we went back over to see him in Blyth. This time we replaced the throttle body with one on stock and following a test drive everything seemed to be right. Good to hear later that evening, following a further run out, that his car was running as good as. Really pleased to have this sorted for him as he uses it for his work.
That brings us to our last day today, Friday morning and we left our digs to head a few miles along the road into Newcastle. Nigel had got in touch regarding his son’s recent purchase of a 2001 MGF 1.6 in British Racing Green (HFF) that was well overdue its cambelt service. Full service carried out, along with a full suspension pump up as it was very low on its stops. Lambda sensor also replaced as they had experienced a combination of mis-firing and stalling.
Have a great weekend everyone where you can, we just realised it’s the British GP this weekend, so I think we’ll be sat watching that on Sunday on the tellybox, maybe one day we will make it in person, it’s on the to do list! 🏎️ – https://ift.tt/VzMnUAh
