MOT ramblings and other matters

[swiss]

Hi all, haven't waffled much lately so here goes. Figured this was a good place for a random chat about 406s

Got the Green Dream through her MOT on the weekend. Initially failed on a couple of bulbs, which meant a trip to the scrappy (yay!) and emissions (oh no!).

On the advice of the garage manager, I renewed the air and fuel filters (which didn't look that bad TBH) and threw in some Redex and engine cleaner stuff from Halfords. Also chucked in a tenner's worth of BP Ultimate Rip-Off Diesel (tm) for good measure.

Thus when it failed again the following morning I was somewhat annoyed. However, the young chap performing the test suggested I go take the car for a really good thrash up and down the M27 to blast through the exhaust. This I did, achieving 90mph in third gear(!) and red-lining the tacho. The whole time the car was looking at me going 'WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? AAAARGH!'...

Finally, the garage re-tested the emissions and logged me at 1.5, way below the 3 required. Happy days! They suggested older diesels should be driven like this on a monthly basis to scour the exhaust... only problem is the even if the speed cameras didn't pick me up then my clutch is now liable to fall out at any point ^^

Anybody have any experience with dragging an old diesel through the MOT in this fashion? Any other wisdom to add on keeping the emissions down?


Also, in other news I just saw a 3.0 V6 D8 estate on Ebay... trying to resist the urge to buy it just to outdo the missus in the engine capacity stakes ^^ Do Pug do a 406 estate diesel any bigger than 2.0?

[HimBigChief]

The garage had to do this to my missus old 306DTurbo to get it to pass the emissions. My garage said the same as yours regarding ragging it every now and then. My garage is also a member of the Good Garage Scheme, so I tend to trust what they say.

[Welly]

I always do an Italian Tune up on the way down to the test. The trouble starts when they leave your car hanging around in the cold and leave it idling or ages whilst they test the brakes and steering etc and THEN do the emissions - que hugh puff of smoke

I also run with the handbrake on a few times on the way to clean up the linings for a good grip on the test (we all know how good the handbrake is).

[steve_earwig]

theretoforehow making them even more shiney...

My Hdi's handbrakes work fine

[jasper5]

It always pays to change the diesel filter before the mot, when you fit the new one, fill up the fuel fliter housing with injection cleaner, run it for a couple of miles.

I use Wynns system clean.

Certainly doesn't hurt to take it in for test after a good run.

[Doggy]

Also, in other news I just saw a 3.0 V6 D8 estate on Ebay... trying to resist the urge to buy it just to outdo the missus in the engine capacity stakes ^^ Do Pug do a 406 estate diesel any bigger than 2.0?

Yep. D8 2.1TD, (like Steve's) or 2.2 HDi Like mine - what's the missus got?

I never had any trouble getting my old HDi 90 through - passed 4 MOT's on the trot, with only a cracked door mirror glass having to be changed once. To be fair, I travel 30 miles to work & booked it into a place just up the road from the factory for the last 3 years, so maybe that's the same as giving it a blast beforehand.

406 is due next week

[mjb]

This I did, achieving 90mph in third gear(!) and red-lining the tacho.
...
even if the speed cameras didn't pick me up then my clutch is now liable to fall out at any point

Nah, you're well out of the torque band there...


I like to give my 406 a good thrashing several times a week, just to "scour the exhaust"...

[teamster1975]

I like to give my 406 a good thrashing several times a week, just to "scour the exhaust"...

I would like to have a drive of the V6

[sulleycars]

hi new to all this i own a couple of 19 td 406's one saloon and one estate work as an mechanic /mot tester and the good thrash usually works but never had this problem myself as this is just how i drive. as for additives forte diesel system treatment is exelent

[ed209]

It always pays to change the diesel filter before the mot, when you fit the new one, fill up the fuel fliter housing with injection cleaner, run it for a couple of miles.

I use Wynns system clean.

Certainly doesn't hurt to take it in for test after a good run.

I have never changed the diesel filter in over 100,000 miles , and the cars done 233,000 miles now! (D8 1.9 td). Do you think its too late for my engine now? Incidently its used as a taxi, and gets M.O.T'd every 4 months, and has never failed on emisions, it's always been well below the limits!

[Doggy]

Mines booked for 9:00 tomorrow. I'm planning a 'less restrained' commute.

Wish me luck....

[Welly]

Good luck Doggy

To be fair, amongst all the other stuff, the 406 fairs well at MOT time

[jasper5]

[/quote]I have never changed the diesel filter in over 100,000 miles , and the cars done 233,000 miles now! (D8 1.9 td). Do you think its too late for my engine now? Incidently its used as a taxi, and gets M.O.T'd every 4 months, and has never failed on emisions, it's always been well below the limits! [/quote]



Why am I not surprised that simple maintenance is ignored by some taxi drivers?

[mjb]

Why am I not surprised that simple maintenance is ignored by some taxi drivers?

Interestingly my old tubby estate used to be a taxi, and despite having virtually no logbook stamps was obviously well serviced on a "no expense spared" basis.

Just wish he'd hoovered up all the dog hair before he sold it - took me hours to clean the boot and head lining! ;)

[Doggy]

Drat & Double Drat Failed

Corroded strap around back box = exhaust not secure!
Corroded hook on middle section of exhaust, (advisory)
Front pads low, (advisory)

Independant quoted me about £300 to change middle & rear sections of exhaust, (with aftermarket bitz) & do the pads.

I said no, thank you & picked it up. I'll do the pads myself, anybody got a feel for what's reasonabe if I have to swap the exhaust bits, assuming I can't just fix the supports. (Can't look up ServicePox at work)