MOT PASSED!!! update! (former MOT Failed - advice needed)

Post by **Welly** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:29 pm

MOT testers are worse than pre menstrual Woman sometimes

When my FTO struggled to pass the emissions, he worked like a dog to try, try, and try again and tested the CAT manually and eventually it went through after alot of revving up. On first impressions though it was a big FAIL

Suppose you get good guys and bad guys sometimes.

vladman · Post by **vladman** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:16 pm

wow, i don't check in an hour, and then there's five new replies!

ok, thanks for diagnosing my emissions, i'm relieved to hear you think everything is as it should be regarding other emissions readings, and it makes sense it's the exhaust drawing air in which is causing the bad lambda reading.

and yes, the car runs perfectly, no backfiring, nothing, just that nice smooth, strong pull (and lovely noise from that leaky exhaust - i wish i could keep the noise!), as usual.

any suggestions as to where to take it, in or around london? someone who won't rip me off and will do a good job?

Malachy · Post by **Malachy** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:51 pm

Welton wrote:MOT testers are worse than pre menstrual Woman sometimes

When my FTO struggled to pass the emissions, he worked like a dog to try, try, and try again and tested the CAT manually and eventually it went through after alot of revving up. On first impressions though it was a big FAIL

Suppose you get good guys and bad guys sometimes.

yeah well to be a VOSA certified mot tester all you need to do is a 1 week course, you do not need to be a qualified mechanic you do not need to have any other qualifications,no previous mechanical knowledge.

The pass/fail is there little bit of power they get in life so there ya go

much like security guards are always asses on a power trip and storesmen always make your life hell to put in the exact reference code (causing you to go back to your office dig out the catalogue and search for ages) even they know exactly what your after and where it is located.

back on topic i have no idea of garages in london unfortunatly as i am not that local the best bet is to take it to a non franchised/small family run place these make there bread and butter on mot's so they have to keep a good rep, franchised dealers have the backing of the part dep/sales etc etc so they can afford to be more picky.

vladman · Post by **vladman** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:13 pm

Guys, just found a website which sells the full exhaust system (or just the individual parts you need) for a really good price. http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/

I even found a guy in the Testimonials section who seems very pleased with the full system he ordered from them for his "Peugeot V6"!

So, I think I'm going to order this and attempt replacing the thing myself! Do you think this should be relatively easy? Does anyone who's done this before have any tips, or is there anything in particular I should be aware of?

Also, from those readings of my emissions, does it look like anything might be wrong with my catalytic converter? I ask because these guys sell this too, but it's over a £100 just for the converter, so I'd rather not replace it if I don't have to.

Thanks guys!

Post by **Welly** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:50 pm

It is possible to fit your own zorst, but not that easy on your drive/on jacks and axle stands, some of the bolts can be well rusted on and have to be cut out

Also you will need exhaust sealer compound for the joints and various fixings and possibly a couple of what I call 'Doughnuts' like a wedge shaped metal O ring or even another normal metal O ring etc. for the flanged joints.

Why not ring a small family type exhaust place and ask for a price to 'fit only', including any jointing & fixings needed, I don't think it will cost much, I would happily pay someone, say, £30.00 to fit my exhaust.

I don't think you will be needing a CAT just yet, plenty of miles left yet.

vladman · Post by **vladman** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:21 pm

Thanks Welton.

I've ordered the parts now. Ordered some of the paste too. They were quite helpful on the phone, and helped me choose all the correct parts, and I'm hoping I've now ordered everything I'll need.

Yes, I was thinking that, to have a go myself, and if it turns out it's too difficult, take it somewhere to have it fitted. Although, that might be difficult, if I decide I can't do it myself after I've already taken off the old system...

I reckon I'll also start the car after I take the old system off.

Bet it will sound awesome! Might record the noise too, post it here...

Post by **Welly** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:56 pm

Well, after you've fitted yours, you can do mine too....I'll buy you a pint for your trouble

Oh and it must be fitted before 10th January 2007, for the MOT

Welly.

vladman · Post by **vladman** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:27 pm

two pints and that's a deal welly!

the exhaust i ordered from that website arrived. it took less than 24 hours to arrive since i ordered it! top service. it also looks HUGE, sitting on the floor in my office, and i'm almost worried it's a wrong item, meant for a bus... but hopefully, it's right and just looks big in an enclosed space of my office.

the only thing i'm not 100% happy about is that the end of the exhaust that's visible from the back of the car isn't oval and chromed as the original, but just a generic, down-angled cut off pipe.

ah well, still, this was so cheap, and delivered so quickly, that i can't really complain.

fingers crossed i manage to fit it!

Post by **Welly** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:13 pm

vladman wrote:the only thing i'm not 100% happy about is that the end of the exhaust that's visible from the back of the car isn't oval and chromed as the original, but just a generic, down-angled cut off pipe.

Oh dear, people will think your driving a Diesel

The later HDi's had a perculiar chrome straight tail pipe, but inside it was the original 'donkey's plonk' looking down at the road through a hole cut out in the bottom of the chrome pipe, weird

vladman · Post by **vladman** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:25 pm

Welton wrote:Oh dear, people will think your driving a Diesel

i guess it doesn't bother me that much, as i quite enjoy the wolf in sheep's clothing factor this car has, because 99% of other road users have no idea that the car next to them isn't just another diesel (no offense meant to anyone here driving one!), and with a non-descript tail pipe, i will be even better "camouflaged"!

vladman · Post by **vladman** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:00 am

It passed!!! Woohoo!

Very proud, as I did it all myself!

Thanks for your help guys, doubt I would've done it without your advice!

P.S. Check this thread for something I did when I was changing the exhaust...

Post by **Welly** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:44 am

Nice one, saved yourself a bit too

How did you get on with the non performing handbrake, was it just the shoes?

Post by **DaiRees** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:20 am

Well done mate!

Got meself a new ticket on Friday too, it's nice having a next due date of Jan 8th 2008.