Morale Support for an MOT

As the title says my Discovery 1, Casper, is having its MOT, on Wednesday, normally I don't post anything up until the outcome.

But this year I feel I may already know it .

As even if it does pass the test, money will still need to be spent on it due to the amount of smoke coming into the car. Now this could be a simple oil leak where the exhaust has been heating it up, or it could the torque converter in the auto box slipping, or maybe even worse.

Other faults is the gearbox when the car is first started from cold, it does not want to change gear for a short while, and this short while is becoming longer each month, the EDC injector pump is also at the end of its life, and the blue and white smoke that has just stared comes out the exhaust on some mornings is so way over the top, I am sure this could be illegal.

Other than that the old landy is running, just, as when on an incline it can barely get past 45mph. Question Is how much money really do you spend on an 18 year old Discovery, along with various areas of corrosion. My landy has tons of sentimental value, just like other cars I have owned, but I guess I have to be sensible to.

Anyway let's see what happens on Wednesday and I will let you all know, in the mean time lets all hope for another years use out of ol Casper.

If you have smoke coming into the car
Be very careful you dont poison yourself.
Why run a motor with these faults. Fix it or get rid.
Always amazes me people are risking life and limb for the sake of a few quid

I agree, It started is last week and the MOT was already booked for Wednesday, so not been used since.

Going to the garage for an MOT and have told them about this little issue, so have to wait and see

Have you ever changed the fluid and filter in the auto box, they should be changed every 30k at least.

Oh yes that has been done over and over, in attempt to help with the changing of the gears when cold.

I'm completely RULED by sentiment which is why I still have and run a car that I bought when I was 23 my VW mk1 Scirocco! So maybe I'm not the best person to give practical advice on whether or not you should spend SHED loads of money on her?...OH HERE GOES .......Of COURSE YOU SHOULD!!!!!

Lol, I had my Nissan 100x for 9 years, which had great sentiment value to, but I could not justify £1300 welding on a car worth £300 max lol. Least the Discovery is worth a bit more I would say £1000-£1200, and back in August it was even my wedding car lol.

Still my fingers are crossed, the MOT I am not too worried about in all honesty, its he gear box. Though if it fails the MOT big time lease the decision will be easier for me.

The auto gearbox was not that sharp when it was new, your bands are probably worn, better off getting it rebuilt or finding a lowish mileage one.

Its been fine for the about the first 5 years, has been running a little different for the past two, with various oil changes, and oil cooler pipe changed. Only since a couple of weeks ago did the smoke begin.

Its done about 166k miles now

Todays the day, as soon as I know the outcome I will let you all know, my fingers are so crossed

So, how did it do then?

mot is like going to the dentist

Lol I had the dentist at 10am too, but I passed, unlike my Discovery, Casper.

Basically about half a dozen small areas need welding and a new steering arm - quote is £650 so not bad and worth doing - BUT.

The reason for the smoke is the manifold, and the manifold turns out so far has three snapped studs, its one of those jobs that could take a couple of hour or a day. The garage I am using is doing me a huge favour though, as yes they want my money, but they are realistic to.

They are going to do about an hours work to remove the manifold, before doing anything else. If it comes off nice and easy then they will proceed, however if more studs snap, or have already fallen in to the engine, then they will stop work, as the labour for the job as well as the MOT quote it simply be not worth it.

Bearing in mind that once was this if it gets done, I am still left with a failing injector pump and one major oil leak, which appears to be cover from either the rocker cover or head gasket. Though no sign of water loss or over heating at this time.

I should know by the weekend what the outcome is with the manifold and then of course I let you all know, every finger is crossed at the moment. It is good of the garage to give me the benefit of doubt just to see if this cost effective to do.

Well - I have had the phone call.........


Its all repaired

MOT work which was the six areas of welding and the steering arm, as well as fixing the internal smoke from the manifold - total bill though for all of it is £725 so that's a pretty good result I think.

Yes there is the gearbox and injector pump issues, but they have been issues for about three years, so I am well use to those by now. The oil leak is a bit more of a concern, and over the next few months I be washing the engine and trying to locate where the leak or leaks are coming from. I am hoping from the rocker cover gasket, but I feel it could be more of a harder job than that.

Still £725 is pretty good I feel, especially when you consider buying a Rover 25 for £300, which I saw just in case, then the tax and insurance on top, and you cant have as much in a hatchback.

result

Brilliant!! And when you pick her up she will have a big smile on her grill

Oh yes, picker her up this morning

Drove like a dream with no smoke, and its nice being able to get in and out again.