MOT exhaust help / advice

[TehAgent]

Well, got my new car and need to get it through its MOT, but there is one problem.

The last owner kept catching the exhaust on speed humps around the area, and after getting fed up with them unclasping the exhaust, he welded it up, at the flange.

so it goes like this, CAT flange to center silencer > welded at flange > center silencer to back box > welded at flange.

The rear back box isn't even a silencer but a bit of steel tubing 5" in diameter, that's just welded onto the center silencers end pipe flange with the mounting brackets welded in place, does look good from the rear of the car mind you but that's not the point.

Problem i have is, will it pass its MOT like this, there are no leaks in the system, it just makes a very nice low base rumble. like someone stuck a big bore pipe on it.

Took it to a MOT tester who said it was too noisy (sounds like a scooby impreza exhaust system), yet he was getting me to rev it hard, but i would hardly be driving around revving the nuts off it.

and the MOT manual doesn't really explain what "too noisy is"

Information Method of Inspection Reason for rejection
1. Examine the condition of the whole exhaust system, including the silencers and mountings, for security, deterioration and completeness
2. With the engine running
a. check the exhaust system for leaks

Note: A durable repair to an exhaust system which effectively prevents leaks is acceptable providing the system is structurally sound
b. assess subjectively the effectiveness of the silencer in reducing exhaust noise to a level considered to be average for the vehicle.
1.
a. A part of the system missing or excessively deteriorated

b. an exhaust system mounting missing, or In such condition that it does not fully support the exhaust system.

Note: An alternative mounting device is acceptable providing the system is secure and the fixing is not likely to fail prematurely-

2.
a. A major leak of exhaust gases from any part of the system

Note: A minor exhaust leak from, for example, a connection joint or a pin hole, is not a Reason for Rejection

b. a silencer in such condition, or of such a type, that the noise emitted from the vehicle is clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle with a silencer in average condition.

What is considered "unreasonable" ? Its not that my exhaust is too loud, but it sure is bass-e

Someone please help.

[DaiRees]

b. a silencer in such condition, or of such a type, that the noise emitted from the vehicle is clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle with a silencer in average condition.

Yeah that's bolox isn't it? It's subjective and down to the discretion of the tester. They could use that statement to fail every car that has a "sports" back box fitted .

My advice would be to try a different tester mate

[V6Exec]

It is subjective and objective.

Subjective in the statement "clearly unreasonable", but objective in the comparator "similar vehicle". If it does sound like a typical scooby, then you could argue that a scooby is a "similar vehicle" (saloon car of similar size) and therefore it performs adequately.

But easiest option is find a different tester

[TehAgent]

thanks guys, i really am getting to love this car and I've only owned it 3 days so far, but the nigglie things are worrying me for the MOT, like the fact the hand brake takes 8 clicks before it stops the car from rolling off...

[V6Exec]

the hand brake takes 8 clicks before it stops the car from rolling off...

If adjustment is correct there should be between 10 and 11 clicks before the handbrake is fully applied.

If adjustment is correct there should be between 10 and 11 clicks before the handbrake is fully applied.

*Between 10 and 11 - 10.5 clicks how do you manage that

[steve_earwig]

Crikey, my '9's got 8 and it's nearly verticle!

obviously at 10 the handbrake's not quite on and at 11 the cable's broken.

[DaiRees]

Subjective in the statement "clearly unreasonable", but objective in the comparator "similar vehicle". If it does sound like a typical scooby, then you could argue that a scooby is a "similar vehicle" (saloon car of similar size) and therefore it performs adequately.

Good point, I assumed "similar vehicle" to mean another 406 with the same engine.

[TehAgent]

Woohoo, what a result.

Got a back box brand new, and a exhaust from a exec down the local scrappy and the helpful guys at my local exhaust place, did a cut and sleeve job on it for £5 now it sounds very quite and MOT passable, now all i need to do is get the speedometer sorted out and its ready for the dreaded MOT.

Anyone got a picture of where this speed sensor is on the Gear Box? had the Bitron unit out today, but I'm not sure if its that or the sensor.

Got the Haynes book of lies, but it doesn't show where the speed sensor is... just tells you about it in no uncertain terms

[stuboypug406]

you dont need aspeddo for test and speedo sensor is on diff jusst above were the os drive shaft goes in

[TehAgent]

thank you for the advice, the old owner dropped the replacement speed sensor round tonight, and found out i have a slight blow from what sounds like the join between the cat and the manifold.

Will be putting the car on ramps tomorrow to sort out the speed sensor so will check the down-pipe, the Cat wasn't blowing when i had it on the 4 poster down the exhaust place this morning. just hoping its something simple, if its not too much of a problem, ill shove a load of exhaust paste on it for the MOT.

This Bitron sender unit behind the glove-box, its not also part of the sending unit for the front radiator fans is it?