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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 11 – 13 of 15…

Following a stopover in Dumbarton we headed on to Clydebank on Wednesday morning, where it was great to catch-up with Aldo again and his 2004 TF 135 (in Nightfire Red – CBT) that was needing its cambelt service. Full service carried out, all went nicely, on a weirdly freezing cold morning, thanks to Aldo for the warming cuppas!

From there we went over to Lochwinnoch to see Neil’s 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi (in Solar Red – CMU) that he’d reported was having difficulty with the clutch pedal. Clutch slave-cylinder replaced and system bled through, replacing the manky old black fluid. Good to have a catch-up with Neil again before heading off to our digs in Largs for the next couple of nights

Thursday morning found us at Alan’s, bright and early, for the start of a busy couple of days working on some of his interestingly ever depleting and alternatively growing fleet!

In no particular order we carried out the following…

2006 TF 135 (in Twilight – IAV) we hauled the big old bearing press up with us to replace the nearside rear wheel bearing that he’d noticed was on its way out. Rear discs and pads replaced, front discs replaced and calipers cleaned up. Cigar lighter repaired as he may be using this one for his and Andy’s holiday to France this year.

2003 TF 135 (in Typhoon – IAB) a fairly recent acquisition Alan that had wanted us to check out. The coolant was quite low in the tank, we found the heater control-valve was leaking so we replaced this, oil leak was due to a loosely fitting oil filter, this was replaced along with a few litres of oil, the noise in the engine he’d noticed was due to very tappity hydraulic-lifters, so a can of Wynn’s hydraulic-lifter cleaner was added, and after about 20 minutes the engine was sounding really smooth. We also fitted the stainless-steel exhaust back-box from his donor car, a bit of an improvement!

2003 TF 160 Sprite (in Le Mans Green – HFN). Another fairly new acquisition, which was in need of a full cambelt service, alternator belt and new coolant cap. We also replaced the wing mirrors and door handle from the donor car (poor Noel, bits of you will live on). New heater controls fitted and radio looked at, which was found to be duff. Shame we had run out of reverse-light switches, the one on Noel was duff too unfortunately. Other than that this would have been ready for its MOT. All in all it’s a really nice one he’s got himself.

His 2004 TF 160 (in Aurora – paint code MBB haha) had a blow from the exhaust, found to be coming from a broken flexi-section, we removed the one from Noel and fitted that. Cigar lighter checked over and cleaned up, as again this one may be used for the France trip and will be handy for phones and satnav.

Then that leaves us with ‘Bugsey’, his 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi (in Copperleaf Red – CDX). This car runs really well, once it’s going. It’s always been a little reluctant at starting, and when stopped at traffic lights etc. it starts to overheat.

So after some diagnostics and pressure tests etc, we replaced the spark plugs, which were in fact the wrong ones for the car, replaced the thermostat, the ECU temperature sensor. It’s still not quite right. But, Alan has some big plans for the car that we’re looking to do later in the year anyway. We actually think it’s the proverbial, this will get done as part of the plans anyway. It’s a lovely car and it’ll be good to get it to the spec he’s after.

A very busy two days work, we got everything done, which is great. Alan took the Aurora and the Twilight for the MOTs today, which both got a clean bill of health and will be ready for the adventures that await this year.

Great to see Alan and Andy and have a chat and a catch-up. They headed off this afternoon, while we were still there, for their weekend on the Highlander, at Nethybridge, which we must try and get to again next year, (if it goes ahead), it’s a cracking few days and we look forward to seeing everyone’s photos and updates.

We now find ourselves in Prestwick for the night. It’s a beautiful sunny Friday evening and as we made our way here saw that the pubs were all heaving and people making the most of this amazing weather. It’s tea, bath, telly and bed on our agenda, no such fun for us. We have our penultimate day of the trip tomorrow, not many miles south from here, in Dalrymple.

Have a fab weekend everyone, hope you can, where possible, get out and about with your tops down in the sun. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/jVi8hPO

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 9 – 10 of 15…

A very picturesque commute on Monday morning, to work, from our digs in Strontian to Acharacle, where we had two days booked in on some of Chris’s fleet.

First up was to check out a coolant leak on his 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi (in solar red – CMU). He wasn’t sure where it was coming from, a hose or the proverbial. On pressure testing the system we found that the two-way coolant outlet from the cylinder head had sprung a leak. This was removed, a new gasket fitted, which happily solved that problem.

Then onto his 2001 MGF Trophy (in Trophy Blue – JFV). Minor service carried out, all grease points greased and a hydragas pump up. We’d taken along a squib/rotary coupler as the horn wasn’t working, Chris had already tested the fuses, but there was a far simpler explanation, the horns had been disconnected. Bit of a result for Chris as lot less costly a job!

Next up was his 2003 TF Stepspeed (in x-power grey – LEF). Minor service carried out. Chris had concerns about the sound of the drive-plate, so this will come down to the workshop for replacement.

Then last, but not least, his 2005 TF 135 (in x-power grey – LEF). Minor service carried out, both front arms greased, rear discs and pads replaced. The front ones were in good condition so these will be done on our visit next year, so for now the front calipers and pads were cleaned up. One of the caliper pins had snapped and was corroded so we replaced this with new.

Having such a productive day and getting everything done on the list we ended up having another day off! We had intended traveling down to our digs after we’d finished at Chris’s this afternoon/evening. So instead got a nice early start this morning, left our, it has to be said, fantastic digs in Strontian and headed over Oban, to have a wander and purchase the obligatory fridge magnet. Amazing weather again and stunning scenery en route.

Really great to see Chris as always, and chat to him while we worked and lovely to feed the abundant wildlife too. Big thanks to Chris for all the teas and Tunnock’s. We look forward to seeing him later in the year at the workshop with his Steppy.

We’re now in our next digs in Dumbarton for one night, with not too far go in the morning to Clydebank for the first call of the day. – https://ift.tt/cODJfkm

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 5 – 8 of 15…

After a stopover in Inverness for the night on Wednesday, we headed off nice and early on Thursday morning to Kiltarlity, where it was great to meet Gordon, Kate and their very bouncy retriever Darwin.

The first job of the day was to carry out a full cambelt service on Kate‘s 2003 TF 160, in Le Mans Green, that she’s owned since the car was a year old and used to be her daily car.

There was also quite a bit of an oil leak that Gordon had mentioned, this we found to be coming from the hydraulic plunger, so we replaced both of the gaskets in the plunger, which has cured it.

The MOT tester had commented on the back box the last couple of times and Kate had fancied a stainless one, so treated herself to a MGOC super-sports, which suits the car and has a very nice tone. As the cambelt service was quite overdue she’d not been using it, so is now excited to get out and about and enjoy the car again.

The next job of the day was to carry out a short cambelt service on Gordon’s Caterham.

He’s owned the car for almost thirty years, having had many adventures in it, including a run round the Nurburgring and what sounds like an amazing trip across America, over three to four weeks, with 20, or so, other Catherhams. Some great stories shared, throughout the day, between us all.

From there, we headed along to Dingwall and to our digs for the next three nights.

We got cracking bright and early on Friday morning with only a few miles to travel, up the hill, to Eddies house. Whilst there last April we had arranged for a couple of days work with him.

First job of the day was to carry out a full cambelt service, we’d last done this for him at his previous home, so all went nicely with no awkward bolts.

Next job of the day was to replace all four of the hydragas spheres, we’d taken a set of our refurbished ones with us. He and his wife had noticed the ride had become quite harsh, so hopefully this will have given them some comfort back.

The plan was for us to return on Saturday and replace the resister pack, being an aircon model we had made allowance for this, but Eddie decided he’d live without it for now and was just so happy with the other work carried out, it’s given him the chance to use it more often.
Really good to see Eddie again and have a chat while we worked, big thanks to him for his fantastic hospitality too. Plus it was lovely to have doggy fusses with Mervin and Chewbacca.

So we had Saturday off! It was very welcome as was we were feeling a little bit pooped.

So that brings us to today, Sunday. We departed from our digs in Dingwall and took a steady drive down to our new digs for the next couple of nights. We stopped off for cuppas at the Loch Ness centre and in Fort William on the way, with such good weather and stunning scenery. We’re now in a very remote spot, with only a short distance to our next call in Acharacle in the morning.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend getting out and about, where possible, enjoying some very favourable weather. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/Ail9STk

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – May 2025
Days 1-4 of 15…

We’re now up in Inverness, for the night, following our fourth day on this current trip.

We started off with our first leg on the morning of Sunday 4th, in Morpeth, for some work on Dave’s 1997 MGF VVC (in Diamond White II) that he’s owned for over twenty years. We replaced the middle section of the speedometer cable, only to find that this hadn’t resolved the issue, we will return on our way back down at the end of this trip, and to replace one of the control arms. Thanks to them for a brew and a bacon butty on a very cold morning.

From Morpeth we headed on up to Lockerbie for the night, ready to carry on to Carmyle on Monday morning.

Monday morning found us over at Glenn and Susan’s. When Glenn had been replacing the headlights on his TF 135 85th Anniversary he’d noticed that the condenser for the aircon was badly corroded, along with the radiator that was starting to show signs of corrosion. Plus the bonnet lock cover had seen better days. Glenn had managed to source the condenser, along with a pump and pipes. As the pump and pipes were all in really good order still it was decided to just replace the condenser. New radiator also fitted, along with a stainless bonnet-lock cover. The gear selection was being a bit notchy so both gear cable ends were replaced, the bracket was slightly bent too, so this was straightened out and the gears are feeling loads better. Both front track-rod-end ball-joints replaced and car all good to go again.

Really lovely to see Glenn and Susan and have a catch-up. Thanks to them for the tons of tea and Tunnock’s! Plus the sun shone all day too.

From there we headed up to Kirkintilloch for the night, where we had a short commute, of a couple of miles, the following morning on Tuesday.

Neil had bought himself a 2003 TF 1.6 (in xpower grey) a couple of years ago as a project. Having done a lot of work himself he wanted the clutch replacing as a preventative measure, as he felt it was a bit on the stiff side anyway. So full clutch replacement carried out along with a new clutch release-arm. A couple of awkward bolts, but all in all a good one to do.

It was great to meet Neil, who had nipped back down from the rally event he was at, with his family, in Fort William. Thanks to him for the provision of a constant flow of cuppas.

From Neil’s we set off to head further north to our next set of digs in Dunfermline.

From Dunfermline, this morning, we headed over to Cupar, where it was lovely to see Ewen again, great to have a catch-up with him whilst we carried out the minor service on his 2009 LE 500 – number 284. Thanks to him for the tea and Tunnock’s! We look forward to seeing him again next year when the cambelt service is due.

From Ewen’s, we had good run up to Inverness, with fab weather again allowing for the amazing scenery that Scotland provides, and enough time to get out for a decent walk when we got here. It’s not too far for our commute tomorrow morning, over to Kiltarlity. – https://ift.tt/pFjmYuV

Bowmans Ridge and Poachers Hide were our destinations on a bright and sunny Monday morning to start off our week.

First call of the day was in Spilsby for the annual minor service on Denis’s 2004 Stepspeed. Lovely as always to see him and his wife and have a quick chat before heading down to Gosberton.

Emma’s 1999 MGF was also due its annual minor service, plus she had a couple of advisories on the last MOT that she asked us to sort. Great to see Emma again.

Our first call on Tuesday morning was in Wilberfoss for the annual minor service on Derek and Margaret’s TF 80th anniversary, and also to replace the gear cable ends as he’d noticed it getting a bit sloppy getting into gear on the forward and back motions on the gearstick. Lovely to see them both as always and have a chat before heading along to Pocklington for the next call.

Sean’s 2005 TF 135 (in Sonic blue) was due for the cambelt service, so we got this all done for him along with plugs and filters etc. Good to see Sean again, it’s been a few years since we were last there, cars still looking good and still on low miles.

For the last call of the day we went over to Driffield, where it was lovely to meet Les and his wife, who have just recently moved into the area and have owned their MGF (in Copperleaf) since new. It was sitting a bit low so they had got in touch to see when we could fit them to pump it up.

Wednesday morning found us at the workshop to get cracking on the two cars that had been dropped off with us at the weekend.

Craig had come up from Colchester with his 2004 TF 160. We carried out a full cambelt service, underfloor treatment, repair of the bonnet release and replaced the windscreen washer pump, that had packed up. Craig enjoyed a few days in the area and came over today to collect. Thanks to him for bringing us some cakes, hope he has a great run back home to Colchester, at least he’s got some fab weather for it.

Pete came over from Selby to collect his 2001 TF 135 (in Starlite Silver) this morning. This was in with us for welding of the nearside front sill as we’d noticed it needed some attention when it was last in with us, plus the minor service also carried out for him. Jon had a chat with both Craig and Pete before they headed home, shame I didn’t get to see them, I was otherwise occupied.

We had another visitor yesterday morning, Peter drove over from Leeds in his 2002 TF 135 for the annual minor service, and to have the MOT done at the station we use on site. Always lovely to see Peter and have a chat with him. Pleased he had some sunshine too for his drive back home.

A busy week with some fab cars and fab people!

So the van is now very well stocked up, and straining at the gunwales somewhat, all ready for our next big trip away to Scotland, over 15 days, starting with a call in the North East, on the way, on Sunday morning. Let’s hope I’ve remembered everything, it’s taken some planning and organising this one!

Hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend and has some good plans and adventures ahead, where possible, and that the weather stays kind to us all. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/fp3vBq5

After the Easter bank holiday weekend we got cracking, on Tuesday morning, with our visit call of the week, over in Beeford, for work on Bob’s 2006 TF 135.

Originally booked in for the annual minor service we had realised that it was, in fact, due for the cambelt service, another of those where does the time go moments.

Full cambelt service carried out, along with easing off of the clutch-release arm, which had stiffened quite a bit, having been stood for its winter hibernation. So that’s Bob and Lis all sorted, once again, to enjoy days out throughout the summer months.

Wednesday morning up bright and early to head up to Redcar, where it was lovely to see Jon again for work on his 2004 TF 135.

A full cambelt service carried out along with new alternator belt. He’d noticed that some wires had been somewhat chewed by a mouse, so Jon set about the repairs; two earth wires, the ABS pair of wires and all four Lambda sensor wires had succumbed to some sharp teeth!

Jon and his son are heading over to Italy in the car this summer, where it will feature as the bridal car for his daughter’s up and coming wedding. We look forward to seeing the photos. Jon wanted a bit of advice on what things to take along, just to be on the safe side, as far as is possible.

Beverley was our location on Thursday morning, for work on Stephen’s new acquisition of a TF 135. He’d always fancied owing one and came across this very nice example, in February, which had been a Jersey import originally.

Preemptive head gasket replacement carried out, along with a cambelt service, plus replacing the underfloor coolant pipes with stainless. New spark plugs fitted as the ones in the car were just standard ones. On code reading it came up with error code P0170 and a couple of others also relating to the forward Lambda sensor. So we swapped out the Lambda sensor, which was one of cheap eBay ones that are known to be unreliable.

Stephen’s really looking forward to getting out and about with his wife, Gloria, over the summer months, having peace of mind, in so far as you can, that everything is sorted. Great to meet him and have a chat, making for an enjoyable mornings work.

That brings us to today, and it’s now Friday evening.

Our first call of the day was over in Barnsley, for the minor service on Lilian’s 2002 TF 135. Date arranged for next year when the cambelt service will be due again.

The next call was in Conisbrough for a couple of things on Mark’s 2003 TF 115. His MOT tester had mentioned slight corrosion on the sill ends, so Mark asked if we could treat these. Engine-oil change carried out, plus investigation of the SRS light, which continues to have an intermittent fault. Whilst cleared when we were there Mark reported, later in the day, that it had recurred. So, next step is to replace the seatbelt pretensioner. Good to see Mark again and we will hopefully see him again soon to sort the SRS issue finally.

Our last call of the day was in Mansfield, where it was great to see Phil again and his 2004 TF 135.

Gearbox-oil change, engine-oil change, clutch-fluid change and brake-fluid change all carried out for him. He’d also noticed a recent problem with the alternator, so we replaced the voltage regulator, which has cured that.

A short but, nonetheless, busy and productive week. It’s certainly been extra busy on the admin lately, I’m responding to enquiries as quick as poss!

Thanks to everyone this week too for your fab hospitality and welcome cups of tea and biscuits.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend, near and far, with whatever adventures you are getting up to. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/iXLDbUs

Biggleswade, Letchworth, Royston.

A couple of head-scratchers that needed to resolved…

Up bright and early to head to Biggleswade, yesterday morning, to see Barry’s TF 135 that had previously been investigated elsewhere for a possible fuel pump issue. (Please see blog dated 13 November for our previous investigations). We took back with us another fuel pump (thanks to Mr Bell for supplying) and fitted this, still no joy, so investigations continued. A little strange as last time all power and grounds were found to be good, however, when testing them again, this time, there was a lack of ground to power the relay. All wiring therefore stripped back to try and find a break, traced the ground wire back to the ECU, where it was found to be a poor connection to the ECU, rather than a break in the wire.

Once this was sorted the car fired into life, barring the fact that it now had a flat battery. We checked the alternator that it was supplying the correct output and that was all good. All wiring taped up and put back as it should be.

Really great to have all this sorted for Barry, finally, he can look forward to getting out in it again.

It would have been bit of a schlep to go back home, plus we didn’t know how long everything would take, so we stayed over in Letchworth for the night, which is an interesting place.

From our digs, we headed back over to Royston this morning to see Jonathan’s MGF that we’d also seen on our November trip. Whilst the car had been sat on the drive it appeared to be running fine, following everything we carried out, only for Jonathan to get back in touch to say the problem had recurred.

We took along with us today a new map sensor and fitted this, after a test drive it was still playing up, but without cutting out as often this time. Just to make sure there were no air leaks we replaced the inlet manifold gasket. On further diagnosis it could now only be down to the wiring, or down to the ECU. The wiring connectors were all sprayed and cleaned, Jonathan had a spare ECU that the previous mechanic couldn’t code to the car, we managed to code this to the car, which instantly eradicated the fluctuating tic-over. On a further test drive car found to be running smoothly with no stalling or fluctuations, result!

So all in all a successful couple of mornings, just a shame that we couldn’t fit either of them in initially, but so glad to have resolved these rather protracted issues for the owners.

Here we are, it’s the weekend again, thermals at the ready! Have a good one everyone near and far. 🥶 – https://ift.tt/kBEoUXr

TF 135 2003 59k on the clock in paint code JFV Trophy Blue.

Peter dropped his car off with us at the weekend and we got cracking with it on Monday morning…

Full cambelt service carried out along with alternator belt. Full underfloor treatment carried out, with rust cure and removal of the wheel arch liners to remove the inevitable build up of crud.

The EML had been on for the last few years, and Peter had taken it to another garage to have it sorted, only for the light came back on the day after, this was due to it having been fitted with an inferior Lambda sensor, unfortunately it doesn’t pay to go with the cheap versions, they are false economy, as they just don’t last. It’s best to stick to either a Bosch or Delphi one, new sensor fitted along with a new flexi-exhaust section, and pleased to see that the light has indeed stayed off.

There had been a few advisories on the last MOT (one of which was the underseal) such as wheel bearing, service brake fluctuating and brake lines.

No need to replace the wheel bearing as the problem was due to the top-arm pin-bushes needing packing out with grease, both sides done for good measure. These often get overlooked, it’s good practice to grease them up.

The brake lines were just covered in over-spray from a previous undersealing job and the fluctuating brake issue was down to the pads not sitting correctly, these were rectified and the calipers cleaned and freed up.

A full health check carried out and then sent round for the MOT this afternoon.

Great to meet Peter and his brother Fred, plus Paris, his very cute poodle, who drove over from Worsley this afternoon to collect. The car was previously owned by Fred for 10 years before Peter took ownership of it a couple of years ago. Lovely to have a chat a cuppa with them before they headed back home, unfortunately the fog had descended on what had been a lovely sunny morning. Safe travels to them all.

Van packed up with the essential parts in preparation for our visits away over the next couple of days. – https://ift.tt/p3yMiaT