It's because I just booked the MOT....

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:30 am

as you have found the hard way if the pipes are in that bad a state, it is pointless just trying to replace the one which is leaking, as in the process you will disturbe the others, just make 110% sure the new pipes you have /are fitting are not touching them selfs or any other pipe or the car body/susspension trailling arm, otherwise you will be back under there in a few weeks time

regards malcolm

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Mon May 25, 2009 3:30 pm

Look on the bright side, you've still got your 40 odd quid in your pocket and not got a fail notice. Smile

-I like your thinking!

Right, the front to rear return is in, routed, not touching anything other than the air down there and taken through the full cycles of pressure. I modified the part where the rigid return joins the rubber pipe to the LHM tank by shortening the rubber pipe and having a longer rigid pipe so that the join itself is near the LHM tank. It was then given a new band clip and tested after securing it.

ce n'est pas une pipe

All happy now and the OSR bleed nipple came undone with ease so the final stretch was successful.

Inspecting the bust pipes, they were each completely rust free from one end to the other apart from the single rust area (less than 1" long) at the turn at the wheel arch.. Seemed such a waste that there was so much good material left.

Anyway, the car is grubby now and is going for the test tomorrow at 08:30 instead.

lolz all round

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:38 pm

Aerodynamica wrote:Seemed such a waste that there was so much good material left.

I know exactly how you feel.

Then I think of all the perfectly roadworthy cars that are scrapped every single day, and I don't worry about it.

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:58 pm

Then I think of all the perfectly roadworthy cars that are scrapped every single day, and I don't worry about it.

-Me too, and the main Citroën dealer here has a late 90s Nissan with flat tyres out the front with a big sign on top saying "we paid £2000 for this"

It's why I have this sticker on my rear window:

E.L.V. not 'End of Life Vehicle' as the man would have you say but 'EXTENDED Life Vehicle' .. I have this on both the CX and BX.

Cars are engineered to last about 8-10 years from a materials perspective - a car that is used for less than this is a waste. As we know, they can last for over 30years.

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:06 pm

Where did you get that sticker from? I like that a lot.

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:41 pm

The ELV stickers are available from a guy on Retro Rides, I think they're still available anyway - two types: window type such as this 'cling on' type or the actual sticker for the rear panel.

I have a spare of the sticker type if you're stuck.

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:10 pm

Right so I take it for an MOT and ...... FAIL

Both front disks are excessively pitted and N/S headlight aim too high.

After getting the car there for 08:30am I was told there'd been an error and a car was booked for then - it would be done at 09:30 instead... Hmm. OK well I collect at half ten and off tho AEP to get a pair of disks £11 ea + vat and went back to fit them

Things going back together with new disk.

I love shiny new bits on old cars for some reason

I adjusted the NS light too and phoned to see if they'd take the retest the same day (was to be in the morning but tomorrow I'd have to leave it with them)

After some background consultation they said they'd take it immediately.

Back in, retested and I HAZ MOT!!

I was surprised when he said "that's £10" - I'd previously asked if there was a retest fee and told there was not - what was the £10 for? - "labour to adjust the headlight" - I told him I wish he'd said it would cost and that I'd adjusted it before returning but obviously still out.

Hmm.

But I haz MOT now!!
And looky looky! the V5c finally turned up!

Now I can finally sell the BX.

Trouble is, you guessed it. I don't want to...

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:42 pm

Aerodynamica wrote:I was surprised when he said "that's £10" - I'd previously asked if there was a retest fee and told there was not - what was the £10 for? - "labour to adjust the headlight" - I told him I wish he'd said it would cost and that I'd adjusted it before returning but obviously still out.

do WHAT?

a tenner to adjust a headlamp? FFS! My MOT man will adjust the headlamps, put some sealant on the exhaust, change bulbs, change wiper blades, and even allow me to do small repairs on the ramp there and then if needs be.

For free.

Strikes me you need to find a better MOT centre!

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:34 pm

DavidRutherford wrote:
Aerodynamica wrote:I was surprised when he said "that's £10" - I'd previously asked if there was a retest fee and told there was not - what was the £10 for? - "labour to adjust the headlight" - I told him I wish he'd said it would cost and that I'd adjusted it before returning but obviously still out.
do WHAT?

a tenner to adjust a headlamp? FFS! My MOT man will adjust the headlamps, put some sealant on the exhaust, change bulbs, change wiper blades, and even allow me to do small repairs on the ramp there and then if needs be.

For free.

Strikes me you need to find a better MOT centre!

Did you charge him for the 1 hour stuff up in booking times

Actually kind thing dont surprise me, I miss my old haunt of EuroService at Lee Mill Near Plymouth used to get that service David Reefers too. Where I am now despite other good relationship factors it depends on the mood I guess how much I get charge for a piddly job.

Like for example AA callout none start! Thought it was fixed got it to the driveway and it stalled on the road so coasted the 300metres to the workshops. Fiddled around couldnt get it started so in the workshop replaced the Dizzie Arm and1/2 labour charged. Same goes for the WOFS/MOTs one car failed on a damp spot of LHM by the accumulator the other passed.

Good to hear you percivered (sp?) and keep that BX on the Road though and well done on the photo log.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:06 pm

Congrats on the new MOT, Graeme!

Did I ever say........I LOVE that BX!!! Nicest "A" reg I've seen!
(No, I haven't got a spare £600 lying around....or I'd be on the first night bus to Glasgae!

)

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:36 pm

Strikes me you need to find a better MOT centre!

- it's what happens when you move.. new places. Worst part is that is is a Citroen Indie.

Anyway, they will remain nameless but I will not be returning.

Congrats on the new MOT, Graeme! Very Happy

Did I ever say........I LOVE that BX!!! Nicest "A" reg I've seen!
(No, I haven't got a spare £600 lying around....or I'd be on the first night bus to Glasgae! Wink )

Cheers sir! I really love this BX (despite the recent 3 hydr pipes saga) It's not the best A reg but it is good - has a few bad bits on the body work that mar an otherwise very sound low miles car.

My ideal one however, would be the same BX 16 TRS but in white, automatic with the better wearing tweed upholstery. Also with sunroof and ideally with renewed C-pillar windows.

Kiwi - I also have varied experience on road worthiness test costs: my previous regular MOT place actually charges £50 for the test (as opposed to £40) but they're better and there's no retest fee at all - oddly though they tend not to do things like headlamp adjustments..

I now wonder if I knw of an MOT place that actually IS any good.. I do prefer having a regular one.

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:39 pm

FAO David Rutherford.

I was wondering if you've not been getting my recent PMs to you? I'd sent quite a lot about the Digit.

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:31 am

I've not received any PMs from you recently.

Odd.

PM me on CXclub?

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:52 am

That is odd. Ok, I'll send via CXclub

Rob_e (UK) · Post by **Rob_e (UK)** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:23 pm

I thought I was having a bad week end trying to replace my one front to rear pipe.
But it looks like you were having an even worse time of it. That certainly seems quite an achievement to have got all that done in a weekend.

I was surprised to hear that crushing a pipe was enough to create a stopper to blank off one of the ports. I actually was thinking along similar lines my self as the suspension to doser valve pipe could go on mine at any time; so in readyness for needing to get the suspension up again I created a stopper ready out of the old pipe by crushing it closed at the end in a vice and then welding it closed for good measure; haven't had to see if it works yet
Fingers crossed I won't have to.

Rob