failed MOT :-( advice if poss

[biker1981]

My van has failed its MOT on a few things.

Main ones being... Suspension ball joint dust cover missing, track rod ball joint voer no dust cover, upper suspension dust cover.... last woner wasnt a big fan of dust covers it seems.

It also failed on emmissions being to high.... but has been stood a while... any tips to get it down please#?

[SILVERFOX2013]

very unluck biker who did mot seams a bit jobs worth

[itchyfeet]

Emissions depends on which emission and which engine

[biker1981]

very unluck biker who did mot seams a bit jobs worth

Just a local mainstream garage, normally been pretty good but he was having an off day, failed it on body work because within 30 cm of suspension, the hole is in the sill about 29cm away......and is the size of a 1 pence peice

But will get stuck in this weekend, just a paint to repalce dust cover. think i will splash out and but new bits. if im gonna take them off might aswell repalce them.

[kevtherev]

Thete are quite a few emissions values
Which ones?
or just post up the values you were given after the mot

[biker1981]

Thete are quite a few emissions values
Which ones?
or just post up the values you were given after the mot

CO MAX 3.50 Reading 5.07 FAIL
HC 1200ppm Reading 248 ppm PASS

[kevtherev]

easy..
first off did you change the air filter at the last service
If not change it
otherwise it needs the mixture resetting
using a gas analyser turn the screw in till the value reaches 2.5%
I am surprised the tester didn't offer you this service..it takes minutes to do

[biker1981]

easy..
first off did you change the air filter at the last service
If not change it
otherwise it needs the mixture resetting
using a gas analyser turn the screw in till the value reaches 2.5%
I am surprised the tester didn't offer you this service..it takes minutes to do

Yeah I have just changed the air filter. ... Is this something I can do at home? is it just turning the mixture down. It has 2 carbs. The garage isnt really that type of garage its an Kwick fit style want tyres/Mots and bout it

[kevtherev]

It would help all the guessing if you put your engine type in your sig line
find a friendly garage that understand older engines.
be prepared to travel
having a twin carb set up is much trickier but not impossible.
what carbs are fitted

Is this an Aircooled engine?

[pionte]

guessing then that you have an Aircooled engine ? with twin carbs, so built before 1986 ?? in which case your emissions must be below 4.5 %. so you arent too far out, a little tweak should easily bring you under.

For vehicles registered between 1st August 1975 and 31st July 1986, the CO level must not exceed 4.5% by volume.

For vehicles registered between 1st August 1986 and 31st July 1992, the CO level must not exceed 3.5% by volume.

Vehicles registered after 1st August 1992 must conform to the manufacturers specification (the MOT testing garage usually checks these values on a database). The carbon monoxide level is tested at two speeds; “idle” and “fast idle”. Although the specification varies between car models, the guidelines are generally 0.5% at idle and 0.3% at fast idle.


Never take your van to quick fit type places, IMHO they are numties..... a local MOT test station that just does MOT'S will give a far fairer test...

[keytouch]

failed it on body work because within 30 cm of suspension, the hole is in the sill about 29cm away......and is the size of a 1 pence peice

I've always wondered, if someone drilled a hole slightly larger than the rust, presumably there is just a hole and no rust?

[Ian Hulley]

failed it on body work because within 30 cm of suspension, the hole is in the sill about 29cm away......and is the size of a 1 pence peice

I've always wondered, if someone drilled a hole slightly larger than the rust, presumably there is just a hole and no rust?

Put a grommet in the hole .... voila ! No hole.

very unluck biker who did mot seams a bit jobs worth

Nope, dust covers are (and quite rightly so) now part of the MOT. Dust and dirt ingress + old grease = grinding media creating worn ball joints. Besides it's a sign of general neglect.

Ian

[biker1981]

Sorry guys, yes it's a 1981 t25 2.0 Aircooled

That's good to know about emissions the guy said was 3 so I'm sure I can get it down.

Is it poss to replace ball joints myself or do you need a press etc

[Ian Hulley]

Is it poss to replace ball joints myself or do you need a press etc

Yes it is possible, yes you do need a press or similar. I'm (thankfully) not well versed in the early suspension/steering system so will leave it to others to explain further

Cheers and best wishes. Ian

[pionte]

Sorry guys, yes it's a 1981 t25 2.0 Aircooled

That's good to know about emissions the guy said was 3 so I'm sure I can get it down.

pretty sure its 4.5 max for your van.

one of the benefits of water cooling was better emissions.


For vehicles registered between 1st August 1975 and 31st July 1986, the CO level must not exceed 4.5% by volume.

For vehicles registered between 1st August 1986 and 31st July 1992, the CO level must not exceed 3.5% by volume.