Greatest Blog

New Stainless Steel Coolant Pipes for MGF

Joseph Elliot — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:03:12 +0000

So I got all the parts for my new old MGF, and I fitted new tyres to get it all road legal.

As I was driving away from the tyre centre, the exhaust blew out and started rasping. A service and MOT was booked, so I added to the list of known faults (new brakes, new bits on the exhaust) some queries, which were, while your opening things up, might as well do the timing belt.

I had been watching the coolant levels like a hawk, as I have owned a K series engine below, and experienced head gasket failure. This MGF has had a relatively recent head gasket change, but has never (as is par for the car) had its coolant pipes changed, and its now 10 years old.

I had suspected a slight leak of coolant, as the level appeared to have dropped marginally, though I couldnt be sure because of the hot cold expansion and the minimal amount the level changed.

I did not mention this to my friendly mechanic on taking the car in, but he picked it up, and confirmed the coolant pipes were “weeping” slightly. So they are being changed. I am beginning to get used to not using this car!

However, we agreed that the Rover parts are not the best, and opted to get stainless steel coolant pipes for their better anti-corrosive properties, and generally more robust nature.

When these are fitted, everything else required to get the vehicle through its MOT is already done, so we should be back driving.

I have now added to the list of things that should be checked next time I purchase a 10+ year old MGF the words “coolant pipes.”

I am still enjoying ownership and can confess, when I do get to drive my MGF, I am fast becoming an enthusiast: for the mooney, its really the best two seater sportscar I have found. For me!

Leave a comment below if you have also battled with MGF coolant pipes.Similar Posts:

Newsbeat Streaming

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:21:37 +0000

I’ve been streaming newsbeat all day long – what a mistake – instead of getting valid insight into the news, I get a story, introduced by a halfwit, then hear what 3 or 4 people off the street think about that piece of news.

If I wanted to hear what people on the street think about the news, I’ll go out onto the street and ask them.

Except I don’t. Care that is. What people on the street think about the news. And the reason for that is very simple: its not because I don’t care what people think, no, its because I don’t know what the news actually is. I told you at the start, and at the top, the reason for this – I’ve been streaming newsbeat.

Have you made this mistake? Have you been streaming newsbeat? Are you called “Tom” or “Dave”? Leave a comment below, then everyone will know what you think – because its all about knowing what you think. Not news.Similar Posts:

Website Fixed

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:17:05 +0000

So, as you may have noticed, this website has been fixed a lot of late.

I’ve removed the music videos. I’ve also added a new category about My MGF, a broken car I bought from eBay.

I will also be writing some short stories over the next few weeks, as I am going abroad on a writing trip, and I don’t have any commercial projects planned, for a great change.

Like the changes? Hate them? don’t care, and don’t know how you ended up here? Leave a comment below!Similar Posts:

Should I Get My MGF Suspension Re-Gassed?

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:35:58 +0000

This is just an aside, and just because I can but I have a question, which you might like to answer by leaving a comment – given that next to nothing has been done to my MGF in a couple of years, should I have the suspension re-gassed?

Leave your answer in the comments box below (reasons why and time between gassifications is what I’m really looking for!!).Similar Posts:

My MGF Wheel

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:32:37 +0000

I only just realised that my blog had the ability to post different post types, and this one is a gallery, so here is a picture of the wheel from my MGF. I have heard it described as “the least asthetically pleasing of all MGF wheel designs” which is a little demoralising, but I kind of like it…

Note that you can just see the bent bumper – I told you it had some damage, and bumps! It’s nearly buffed out

MGF Wheel

Similar Posts:

I Feel Bonnie

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:21:44 +0000

Much like Hot Chip, today, I feel Bonnie!Similar Posts:

Lord of the Internet

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:20:48 +0000

I’m the new Lord of the Internet, aren’t I?Similar Posts:

Euro Car Parts – Buying Car Parts Online – Another Positive Review!

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:09:54 +0000

Well, if you just read my post about buying tyres online from Black Circles, you’ll now know that I recently purchased a new car which was, at the time of buying, in a much unloved state.

After taking the ~~new~~ well used car home, I set about checking what was good, bad and truly ugly about the MG (MGF to be precise) I had just purchased. Well, there was little good, and a little more bad, but most of what I discovered was ugly!

The car needed four new tyres (which I ordered). It also did not appear to have had anything changed in the past 30,000 miles, which I knew when buying (for almost nothing). My new (to me !) MGF needed, at the very least:

A new battery;
A new air filter;
4 new spark plugs;
A new oil filter;
A new fuel filter;
A new rotor arm and distributor cap;
Might as well get new HT leads at the same time!
A complete oil change;
A complete coolant change and flush out seems sensible while we’ve got the engine compartment open!
Probably a new exhaust system some time soon;
Probably a new timing belt fitting.

So I ordered the tyres and then jumped onto the Euro Car Parts website – a site that had been recommended, but with which I was, as yet, unfamiliar.

As with Black Circles – but probably, in this instance, even more helpfully – Euro Car Parts let you enter your car’s registration number, then looks up all of the bits and pieces you’ll need for the make and model of your car – meaning all I had to do was select (most of) the above, pay, and wait.

I did not have to wait long – the box containing all of the parts I had ordered arrived the very next day.

I even managed to get some of these parts fitted, too!

So I fitted the new battery, and all of the non-taxing bits and bobs, and had a new set of boots on my MGF. I took the car out for a spin. Amazing, great fun to drive. 5 miles. We stopped for a hot drink and a chat with some friends, then came home. The exhaust I thought I might need then blew. Just above the cat, as far as I can tell.

This one’s beyond me, and the car is now at the garage getting a new catalytic converter, and probably a whole new exhaust system.

But Euro Car Parts were blameless in this, saved me money, sent everything I asked for, and arrived on time.

I cannot argue with that!

Fully recommended online retailer who does what you need them to.

Click here to visit the Euro Car Parts website.Similar Posts:

Black Circles – Buying Tyres Online – A Positive Review

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:49:35 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I needed to get four new tyres for my beaten up car.

I’m a writer, so naturally, my choice of new car was more heart than head, and I opted for a vehicle that had some real panache, but, unfortunately, had been somewhat unloved by its previous owner. I’m not even sure the tyres were legal to get me the 4-5 miles I drove the used car home!

The car I purchased? A 10 year old MG, convertible, the MGF. Lightweight, soon-to-be-classic sports car. Almost in bits and pieces!

In any case, what I had on my hands was a car that certainly needed four new tyres.

In the manual, it helpfully told me which type of tyres I might have, but gave a number of options. I went online and found the tyre type I wanted – after spending a while on a few “enthusiast” websites looking up which were best for my car (the Toyo T-1R Proxes, in case you care!).

I then went around on the internet finding the cheapest retailer (my local garage was able to fit, but I wanted to buy the tyres myself online with my card). The best retailer turned out to be Black Circles.

So I visited their website, entered my licence plate number, and, when faced with the same options as my owners manual posed, I ordered the wrong size – 16 inch instead of 15 inch.

I noticed my error as soon as I got outside to my car, some half an hour after receiving the confirmation of my order email.

I telephoned Black Circles, and the guy on the phone was genuinely friendly and helpful. He changed my order, and immediately processed the refund I was due without being prompted (15 inch tyres are cheaper than 16 inch tyres).

What’s more, those new tyres arrived the next morning, and were fitted by lunch time by my friendly local garage. Fitting cost a little more than Black Circles were going to charge BUT my nearest Black Circles garage is 15-20 miles away, and I like to use local tradesmen wherever possible, so I don’t mind.

It is rare that people write positive reviews, but that’s what I’m doing here!

Click here to visit Black Circles if you need to get tyres for your car – order with confidence!Similar Posts:

Hot Chip – I Feel Bonnie – House Remix

Joseph Elliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:29:41 +0000

Okay, I said there’d be no more music videos posted here in this Greatest Blog. I said that only this morning. But this isn’t really a “Music Video” as such. Its music, with an image in the background. So there.

Anyway, I first heard this track a couple of year ago. It’s called “I feel bonnie” which I like as a name in any case, and, if you listen to the words, is a track that speaks of a melancholy with which I can connect. This is the House remix. Bonnie Prince Billy (aka Will Oldham) voices over a track remixed by Hot Chip. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb02eldWZdASimilar Posts: