Just put the hardtop on. We're off on holiday, so she'll be standing on the drive for two weeks, and the HT seems to kep the interior a bit drier. Probably stick solar charger on the battery for good luck. All I need now is a web-cam set up so I can see her while I'm away . . .
Posts by skellum
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Spent last night relining my hardtop, with the help of the lovely Mrs. Checked a couple of how-to's and figured it had to be a doddle.
Straight off I couldn't remove the front roof catches. A couple of the bolts turned, but wouldn't actually unthread- I'm assuming they thread into a captive nut in the hardtop, and these were turning rather than undoing.
Anyway, stopped before I did irreparable harm to anything and cut the headlining out.
Now recovered in Tartan (Yeah Baby!) and when glue fully dry will improvise a way of refitting it.
Oil and filter on stand-by for a change, but too much of a pussy to do it in the sleet. Sun guaranteed to come out tomorrow when back at work!
Straight off I couldn't remove the front roof catches. A couple of the bolts turned, but wouldn't actually unthread- I'm assuming they thread into a captive nut in the hardtop, and these were turning rather than undoing.
Anyway, stopped before I did irreparable harm to anything and cut the headlining out.
Now recovered in Tartan (Yeah Baby!) and when glue fully dry will improvise a way of refitting it.
Oil and filter on stand-by for a change, but too much of a pussy to do it in the sleet. Sun guaranteed to come out tomorrow when back at work!
Having fallen into the trap of thinking she was going pretty well recently, broke down :hysteria:
Stopped off on the way home from work to make a small delivery, came back to car one minute later to find her absolutely refusing to start. Not the battery (lights all bright) and hadn't locked her so don't think immobiliser. Turning the key to second position produces one soft click under the dash, then nothing at all. Doesn't turn over at all. Thinking it might be starter motor.
If I can rustle up some help I might try a push start to see.
Happy TF'ing everybody!
Stopped off on the way home from work to make a small delivery, came back to car one minute later to find her absolutely refusing to start. Not the battery (lights all bright) and hadn't locked her so don't think immobiliser. Turning the key to second position produces one soft click under the dash, then nothing at all. Doesn't turn over at all. Thinking it might be starter motor.
If I can rustle up some help I might try a push start to see.
Happy TF'ing everybody!
Thanks Peter- car started on a push without any trouble. Won't get to look at her in daylight until the weekend, so I'll have a poke about then.
Luckily we have second car, so not a crisis.
Cheers, Colin
On a positive note:
Sunday afternoon I clipped together my dodgy wiper linkage with one of those neat little chrome clips. Hopefully keeps the wipers working until I get time to replace the linkage properly. Luckily it doesn't rain much here anyway.
Less clever:
Suffering from an intermittent and unpredictable coolant loss, so yesterday morning in the freezing pitch dark I had a peek to see my level. Coolant cap off, shine a torch in, all ok.
Drive 12 minutes to work. Get laptop out of boot, and notice coolant cap still off
What a dick.
Oh, and apparently no coolant lost.
Sunday afternoon I clipped together my dodgy wiper linkage with one of those neat little chrome clips. Hopefully keeps the wipers working until I get time to replace the linkage properly. Luckily it doesn't rain much here anyway.
Less clever:
Suffering from an intermittent and unpredictable coolant loss, so yesterday morning in the freezing pitch dark I had a peek to see my level. Coolant cap off, shine a torch in, all ok.
Drive 12 minutes to work. Get laptop out of boot, and notice coolant cap still off
What a dick.
Oh, and apparently no coolant lost.
Not so much what I've done today as the last week;
Laid up my 54 plate 115- it felt like I was building up a backlog of things to do. Change PRT and a couple of hoses, investigate my rattle (lazy lifter, loose liner?!) Treat the subframes, deal with my shabby bodywork before the rot gets in. So she's now sorned awaiting overdue TLC.
However, being TFless for possibly quite a while felt bad, so at the weekend I bought another one
Picked up a BRG 135 with 52k miles pretty cheap as a second car. Good news? Looks like recent discs, exhaust fresh, coolant bottle clean enough to hint there's no history of HG trouble, and no suggestion of mayo on dipstick. Hood in excellent condition. Goes well and stops well.
BAD news? No history at all. A complete pig in a poke. Came filthy with a damaged front bumper, reflected in price. Drove her 400 miles home (having checked my RAC membership was still in place). So now I'm thinking I'd best service her, including the timing belt which is new for me. If the belt on this broke and I had TWO dead MGs on the drive I'd never hear the end of it.
Also thinking the 135 sounds better- throatier, deeper tone (found out the radio was bust en route, so had 9 hours to enjoy the engine note) and has a bit more 'urge'. Can that really be down to just 20 extra horses?? After a wash the metallic BRG is really pretty. These cars must have been such a pleasure to buy new- even 15 years old with battle scars Pixie (yeah, the wife has named her already) looks good.
Laid up my 54 plate 115- it felt like I was building up a backlog of things to do. Change PRT and a couple of hoses, investigate my rattle (lazy lifter, loose liner?!) Treat the subframes, deal with my shabby bodywork before the rot gets in. So she's now sorned awaiting overdue TLC.
However, being TFless for possibly quite a while felt bad, so at the weekend I bought another one
Picked up a BRG 135 with 52k miles pretty cheap as a second car. Good news? Looks like recent discs, exhaust fresh, coolant bottle clean enough to hint there's no history of HG trouble, and no suggestion of mayo on dipstick. Hood in excellent condition. Goes well and stops well.
BAD news? No history at all. A complete pig in a poke. Came filthy with a damaged front bumper, reflected in price. Drove her 400 miles home (having checked my RAC membership was still in place). So now I'm thinking I'd best service her, including the timing belt which is new for me. If the belt on this broke and I had TWO dead MGs on the drive I'd never hear the end of it.
Also thinking the 135 sounds better- throatier, deeper tone (found out the radio was bust en route, so had 9 hours to enjoy the engine note) and has a bit more 'urge'. Can that really be down to just 20 extra horses?? After a wash the metallic BRG is really pretty. These cars must have been such a pleasure to buy new- even 15 years old with battle scars Pixie (yeah, the wife has named her already) looks good.
Aaaargghh! That looks sore. And from the colour, is that an LE500?
What a shame Jorian. I hope you get that fixed, but I think damage to the rear panel is a bit more problematic. Any minute now someone who's had to fix something similar will come along.
Sorry, and good luck.
What a shame Jorian. I hope you get that fixed, but I think damage to the rear panel is a bit more problematic. Any minute now someone who's had to fix something similar will come along.
Sorry, and good luck.
To catch up-
Recently picked up a 135 to replace my sick 115. Serviced it the other weekend, and had the alignment fixed. One wheel was visibly toed-in too much.
Discovered during the service that (like my other TF) the three bolts to the inspection cover which sit under the T-bar just weren't there. Also to my surprise the under side of the inspection hatch has sound-deadening foam on it. Was that a feature ditched for cost?
Picked up new brake pads yesterday to see if they'd help my squeaky rear wheel, but required to cut our out-of-control grass today. Might get to the brakes tomorrow.
Also- a new TF recently appeared in our works car park and I finally met the owner. When I asked if he'd just acquired it he said no. It's been laid up for repair for months and only just gone back on the road. Yes, HGF .
Spent a few minutes swapping stories about what's broken on our cars and which jobs have been not too hard. Both agreed they're an absolute hoot to drive and well worth the occasional hassle.
Recently picked up a 135 to replace my sick 115. Serviced it the other weekend, and had the alignment fixed. One wheel was visibly toed-in too much.
Discovered during the service that (like my other TF) the three bolts to the inspection cover which sit under the T-bar just weren't there. Also to my surprise the under side of the inspection hatch has sound-deadening foam on it. Was that a feature ditched for cost?
Picked up new brake pads yesterday to see if they'd help my squeaky rear wheel, but required to cut our out-of-control grass today. Might get to the brakes tomorrow.
Also- a new TF recently appeared in our works car park and I finally met the owner. When I asked if he'd just acquired it he said no. It's been laid up for repair for months and only just gone back on the road. Yes, HGF .
Spent a few minutes swapping stories about what's broken on our cars and which jobs have been not too hard. Both agreed they're an absolute hoot to drive and well worth the occasional hassle.
and put an alloy bee sting aerial in place.
New car came with one of theses in place. Definitely a bit more hiss and crackle than in my other TF with the OEM aerial.
Cleaned her out today- CDs I never listen to, window scraper I only used about twice all winter, my furry hat (looks dumb, but stops my ears falling of when its really cold) dried up pack of screen wipes, AND found 52p in coins rattling around.
Result!
New car came with one of theses in place. Definitely a bit more hiss and crackle than in my other TF with the OEM aerial.
Cleaned her out today- CDs I never listen to, window scraper I only used about twice all winter, my furry hat (looks dumb, but stops my ears falling of when its really cold) dried up pack of screen wipes, AND found 52p in coins rattling around.
Result!
Changed the front badge.
Not a big deal, but now people can see it actually says 'MG'.
The kid in the petrol station recently asked me what my car was. I thought he was pulling my leg, but if he's 20 or so years old, MGR went bust when he was 7 or 8 years old. And there aren't many F/TF's up here.
Not a big deal, but now people can see it actually says 'MG'.
The kid in the petrol station recently asked me what my car was. I thought he was pulling my leg, but if he's 20 or so years old, MGR went bust when he was 7 or 8 years old. And there aren't many F/TF's up here.
Do you need MOTs on the Isle of Lewis?
Yes, but at one time the Isle of Barra, further south, was exempt.
When I moved to the Islands back in the 90's I also got the impression some local testers were 'flexible' in their interpretation of the regs.
I remember getting a lift in a rust-bucket Micra one day, which had holes in the floor so big I could see the road through them. The owner blithely told me he was actually on his way to the MOT centre.
A few days later I bumped into the same guy in the pub, and asked how he got on.
"Passed, of course . . ."
Yes, but at one time the Isle of Barra, further south, was exempt.
When I moved to the Islands back in the 90's I also got the impression some local testers were 'flexible' in their interpretation of the regs.
I remember getting a lift in a rust-bucket Micra one day, which had holes in the floor so big I could see the road through them. The owner blithely told me he was actually on his way to the MOT centre.
A few days later I bumped into the same guy in the pub, and asked how he got on.
"Passed, of course . . ."
Changed my gear box oil.
Interval seems to be 100k miles, or 7 years.
Car's only on 55k, but she is 15 years old and sometimes gear selection feels a bit baulky, so decided it was definitely due.
Nice straightforward job, fiiled the box from the top with a bit of hose.
The oil which came out was pretty murky, and as far as I can tell I only got about 1.6 litres out! Engine warm, and gave it plenty of time.
A dry fill is (I believe) 2.4L, and I must have put close to that back in.
Taking her for a blast after lunch, see how she feels.
Interval seems to be 100k miles, or 7 years.
Car's only on 55k, but she is 15 years old and sometimes gear selection feels a bit baulky, so decided it was definitely due.
Nice straightforward job, fiiled the box from the top with a bit of hose.
The oil which came out was pretty murky, and as far as I can tell I only got about 1.6 litres out! Engine warm, and gave it plenty of time.
A dry fill is (I believe) 2.4L, and I must have put close to that back in.
Taking her for a blast after lunch, see how she feels.
Changed brake pads Sunday morning- cleaned everything up and lubed the slide pins. A couple of the rear pads had been hammered into place and needed knocked out.
It's cured an infuriating squeak the car's had since I got her.
Our other car is an Alfa Giulietta, 2.0 diesel 140. last week I took it down to Harris, and today took the TF on exactly the same drive. Very interesting; The Alfa is gutsy, and in 'Dynamic' mode it really wants to romp along. It's been a great car on a couple of long motorway trips. However, it's much softer and has far more bounce and body roll than the Tf.
On the twisty roads we have here the TF is just so much more fun to press-on in. It feels like it's stuck to the road, and just eats up the bends. Came home feeling good, so tomorrow I think I'll treat her to some well earned new tyres.
It's cured an infuriating squeak the car's had since I got her.
Our other car is an Alfa Giulietta, 2.0 diesel 140. last week I took it down to Harris, and today took the TF on exactly the same drive. Very interesting; The Alfa is gutsy, and in 'Dynamic' mode it really wants to romp along. It's been a great car on a couple of long motorway trips. However, it's much softer and has far more bounce and body roll than the Tf.
On the twisty roads we have here the TF is just so much more fun to press-on in. It feels like it's stuck to the road, and just eats up the bends. Came home feeling good, so tomorrow I think I'll treat her to some well earned new tyres.
Put petrol in it (now 125.6 a litre here!).
Turned round to find another TF filling up behind me. Girl bought it to replace her Land Rover, which was facing an epic MOT bill. Picked it just on price, without knowing anything about them. Turns out it's a 160. Gave her a quick tour of things to watch out for, and pointed her here.
Nice to have some company, as another local MGF driver recently binned his on a corner that has claimed a few cars.
Gutted for him as he'd just put the car back on the road after HGF.
Being cautious with my own as I put new Toyo T1Rs on last week, and she feels decidedly 'squirmy' on damp roads. Hoping a few miles wear will settle them down a bit.
Turned round to find another TF filling up behind me. Girl bought it to replace her Land Rover, which was facing an epic MOT bill. Picked it just on price, without knowing anything about them. Turns out it's a 160. Gave her a quick tour of things to watch out for, and pointed her here.
Nice to have some company, as another local MGF driver recently binned his on a corner that has claimed a few cars.
Gutted for him as he'd just put the car back on the road after HGF.
Being cautious with my own as I put new Toyo T1Rs on last week, and she feels decidedly 'squirmy' on damp roads. Hoping a few miles wear will settle them down a bit.
Thanks g0rsq.
Ran my other TF on T1Rs year round, seemed OK, but I'll see if these settle down any. Only done about 70 (gentle) miles since fitted.
Here, we get very little snow and ice over the winter (Island climate). Must be 10 years now since we had proper full-on winter conditions. When I ran R600s I had two sets of wheels, with winter tyres on the car November to April.
On the TF, bearing in mind how tyre sensitive they are, does anybody run with winter tyres on? If so, what are they??
I'm completely open to the idea having a seasonal change.
Ran my other TF on T1Rs year round, seemed OK, but I'll see if these settle down any. Only done about 70 (gentle) miles since fitted.
Here, we get very little snow and ice over the winter (Island climate). Must be 10 years now since we had proper full-on winter conditions. When I ran R600s I had two sets of wheels, with winter tyres on the car November to April.
On the TF, bearing in mind how tyre sensitive they are, does anybody run with winter tyres on? If so, what are they??
I'm completely open to the idea having a seasonal change.
Came to work, and noticed when I parked that one front wheel is very dirty- sure enough, warm top the touch whilst the others are stone cold. Got a sticky caliper, and I've just sorted the rears!
Luckily it's a gorgeous day, so when I get home I'll investigate.
Luckily it's a gorgeous day, so when I get home I'll investigate.
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