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Technical MOT done and I'm still smiling

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Technical MOT done and I'm still smiling

hastingsmum

hastingsmum

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Parked in the garage
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Aug 27, 2013
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610
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Location
Hailsham, East Sussex
lol, I had nightmares about this MOT so long before, and so many people seemed to be giving up on their Multis thisa year that I really didn't think mine stood a chance.


I knew it would fail coz it has a massive crack in the front screen, but all the other failes were just minor things, tyre, headlight aim, etc.

The biggest thing was the N/S/F lower arm ball joint dust cover. I assume this needs a whole arm? (And I'm sure you will all tell me to do both at the same time ;) )

Really so happy though!! :slayer:
 
Hey, that's really great news.

It's always a relief to get through the MOT, mine has a massive screen crack too, but just outside the swept area so have got away with it so far.

The problem is, what car could replace the multipla? When they go wrong they can be really challenging, but when they go well, they're just so dashed clever.

Just driven mine from Worcestershire to South of France, 6 up with luggage and towing a trailer. Happy happy happy. .......kinda makes it all worthwhile.
 
darracq said:
Hey, that's really great news.

It's always a relief to get through the MOT, mine has a massive screen crack too, but just outside the swept area so have got away with it so far.

The problem is, what car could replace the multipla? When they go wrong they can be really challenging, but when they go well, they're just so dashed clever.

Just driven mine from Worcestershire to South of France, 6 up with luggage and towing a trailer. Happy happy happy. .......kinda makes it all worthwhile.
Click to expand...

Lol, just after I wrote this my alternator finally seized and snapped the belt, so another thing to do before MOT retest or I won't even get there...

I had to borrow ex hubbys v reg Saab 95 estate for a couple of days and I thought I wouldn't be able to get used back to the Multi after, coz the Saab is a 2.3 turbo and so powerful, but amazingly I loved driving my jtd again, even with no power steering.

It certainly is a special car thats for sure
 
hastingsmum said:
The biggest thing was the N/S/F lower arm ball joint dust cover. I assume this needs a whole arm? (And I'm sure you will all tell me to do both at the same time ;) )

Really so happy though!! :slayer:
Click to expand...

First, it will be the complete arm.
These guys will supply an original equipment one.
http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=512&sku=29789
Whilst comparing prices, beware you are looking at VAT inclusive, as both appear on that site, then you'll need to add carriage.

If yours are both originals, then you could replace just the one, if you use another original. Recommendation is always fit a pair.

If you get an aftermarket one cheaper, it is always best to fit a pair, as they may be slightly different dimensionally, which works as a pair, but can throw wheel alignment out if only one fitted.

Grovel underneath (again) and see if you can find any identification marks.
 
widemouthfrog said:
It never rains; it pours. Hope you get back on the road soon. Are you going to do the alternator yourself?
Click to expand...

I'm gonna try to, but i remember how very fiddly it was when I had a look previous.
I got til Monday when I have to have it retested so should be enough time, saying that, remember how long that bloody clutch pipe took me:mad: lol
 
My turn for the dreaded MOT today. Taken into Grays garage in Warwick. Expecting some work needed to be done on the passenger airbag as the light is on. Not expecting anything else, but I am not a mechanic..

Fingers crossed!! 2003 tdi round nose 120k miles.
 
Cheesy said:
My turn for the dreaded MOT today. Taken into Grays garage in Warwick. Expecting some work needed to be done on the passenger airbag as the light is on. Not expecting anything else, but I am not a mechanic..

Fingers crossed!! 2003 tdi round nose 120k miles.
Click to expand...

Fingers crossed.... oh and your Multi looks just like mine (y)
 
Cheesy said:
My turn for the dreaded MOT today. Taken into Grays garage in Warwick. Expecting some work needed to be done on the passenger airbag as the light is on. Not expecting anything else, but I am not a mechanic..

Fingers crossed!! 2003 tdi round nose 120k miles.
Click to expand...

Did you tell them to check the orange connector on the floor at the front left corner of the passenger seat, or the one behind the airbag itself under the dash panel? Some WD40 and a good wiggle of the connectors is normally enough to sort the problem. Don't let them bill you for a new airbag!
 
widemouthfrog said:
Did you tell them to check the orange connector on the floor at the front left corner of the passenger seat, or the one behind the airbag itself under the dash panel? Some WD40 and a good wiggle of the connectors is normally enough to sort the problem. Don't let them bill you for a new airbag!
Click to expand...

I did, and that is exactly what they have done. I have no idea on how the airbag system works, but I am hesitant to squirt any fluid onto a connector not knowing if it could set the bag off. Appreciate the heads up, but i am actually scared of fiddling with it!! im ok to pay out on this one :)

£109 all in for MOT and airbag system now working.
 
portland_bill said:
First, it will be the complete arm.
These guys will supply an original equipment one.
http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=512&sku=29789
Whilst comparing prices, beware you are looking at VAT inclusive, as both appear on that site, then you'll need to add carriage.

If yours are both originals, then you could replace just the one, if you use another original. Recommendation is always fit a pair.

If you get an aftermarket one cheaper, it is always best to fit a pair, as they may be slightly different dimensionally, which works as a pair, but can throw wheel alignment out if only one fitted.

Grovel underneath (again) and see if you can find any identification marks.
Click to expand...

Thanks PB sorry I didn't see this post til now

I can have a thorough look at the arms whilst looking at that alternator (y) :rolleyes:
 
Cheesy said:
I did, and that is exactly what they have done. I have no idea on how the airbag system works, but I am hesitant to squirt any fluid onto a connector not knowing if it could set the bag off. Appreciate the heads up, but i am actually scared of fiddling with it!! im ok to pay out on this one :)

£109 all in for MOT and airbag system now working.
Click to expand...

Yay. Good news. Another round nose dodges the grim reaper for another year. Any advisories?
 
widemouthfrog said:
Yay. Good news. Another round nose dodges the grim reaper for another year. Any advisories?
Click to expand...

Just collected the car. No advisories. Now the airbag light is sorted. The car is good. Touch wood!! :) I just wish it would stop being scraped by the neighbours lousy parking!! Thats two of us with positive Mots in this thread :)
 
hastingsmum said:
Right, I've had a look...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...01090562.1073741837.1379530087&type=1&theater

so how likely is it that this caused the belt to snap? or the snapped belt caused this to happen?

struggling with pics, hence the link to my fb
Click to expand...

I take it from your facebook thread that the bolts are the alternator mounting bolts. I think these are probably victims, rather than culprits.

Chicken or Egg?

a) If the bolts work loose, the alternator will wobble and the belt may jump grooves and pop off or shred if fouling other stuff. Loose bolts are likely to cause the alternator body to crack.

b) If the alternator bearings try to seize, or the freewheeling pulley doesn't freewheel, the alternator will be subjected to vibration and stresses it is not meant to cope with. This may cause the body to crack, the bolts to loosen, and the belt to squeal and break.

The cracked body will not get better.
You have a "new" alternator and a new belt. Before the next raincloud, get in there and swear a bit and replace it.
Put new locking nuts on the bolts. The originals have probably gone awol anyway.
 
portland_bill said:
I take it from your facebook thread that the bolts are the alternator mounting bolts. I think these are probably victims, rather than culprits.

Chicken or Egg?

a) If the bolts work loose, the alternator will wobble and the belt may jump grooves and pop off or shred if fouling other stuff. Loose bolts are likely to cause the alternator body to crack.

b) If the alternator bearings try to seize, or the freewheeling pulley doesn't freewheel, the alternator will be subjected to vibration and stresses it is not meant to cope with. This may cause the body to crack, the bolts to loosen, and the belt to squeal and break.

The cracked body will not get better.
You have a "new" alternator and a new belt. Before the next raincloud, get in there and swear a bit and replace it.
Put new locking nuts on the bolts. The originals have probably gone awol anyway.
Click to expand...

(y) Just wish the rain would hold off for a bit, I've already got a cold, lol.... hmmmm am I feeling sorry for myself again? :rolleyes: lol
 
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