The new adventures of Brownnova! Another Saab joins the fleet… 13/10/24

[gm]

I had the same pipe burst on a previous mx5, annoyingly once fixed another one burst, I fixed that then another one went and I gave up and replaced the bloody lot. 8mm fuel hose from Halfords is much cheaper than the proper Mazda hoses and works just as effectively. 

[gm]

at least you don’t have the oil cooler on the 1.6 engine, that is a pig to replace the pipes on

[LightBulbFun]

On 5/7/2019 at 7:19 AM, brownnova said:

Proper classic AC (not model 70 sadly)

 

PPK481L to PPK680L are all AC Model 70's so its almost there  (at least tells us that, that AC probably is probably wearing its original registration )

[brownnova]

27 minutes ago, gm said:

I had the same pipe burst on a previous mx5, annoyingly once fixed another one burst, I fixed that then another one went and I gave up and replaced the bloody lot. 8mm fuel hose from Halfords is much cheaper than the proper Mazda hoses and works just as effectively. 

Yep, I used 8mm fuel hose on this job too! Far cheaper! Now waiting for the next pipe to go... ?

[brownnova]

Multiple test drives completed... all ok. Fans still kick in, and it’s holds its drink! 

Sills still full of water, broke my drill bit trying to drill a hole in it. 

MoT booked for Tuesday. 

WCPGW... 

[brownnova]

MoT fail achieved... 

Sadly it was worse than first feared.

When they looked properly (and to be fair I trust these guys) it needs a new downpipe, a rear brake service and all new brake pipes. That’s not a small bill... 

Hmmm... 

This car has cost me some significant money lately!! 

[loserone]

Can you do the brake lines yourself? That shouldn't be too costly?

[The Moog]

That's not too bad at all. Downpipes are relatively cheap, rear brakes will be sticky so a clean will sort that and brake pipes aren't the worst to do.

Would take that over rot anyday

[Six-cylinder]

1 hour ago, snagglepuss said:

That's not too bad at all. Downpipes are relatively cheap, rear brakes will be sticky so a clean will sort that and brake pipes aren't the worst to do.

Would take that over rot anyday

I agree rot would be a lot worse.

[The Moog]

Stick a 421 downpipe on for more brummmmmmm

[brownnova]

Oh absolutely, it’s solid at least! 

Ive never done brake lines, so not sure  what that involves tbh! The garage quote seems a lot higher than I expected.

Im pricing the parts... can’t see how they’ve got it to over £800!!! 

Might well have a go myself... 

[loserone]

It's all time, struggling with rusty bits.  That's why it will be ££

[dollywobbler]

They'll probably just be replacing the rear calipers outright. Can't see them bothering with a strip and clean.

[The Moog]

They'll probably just be replacing the rear calipers outright. Can't see them bothering with a strip and clean.

Rear calipers are about £40 a piece on eBay if you do it yourself.

Stainless downpipe is about £130 so not too bad. eBay prices so obviously garage will be more - plus labour.

Brake pipes run under the car so not tucked up inside things which makes it easier.

[brownnova]

2 hours ago, dollywobbler said:

They'll probably just be replacing the rear calipers outright. Can't see them bothering with a strip and clean.

One calliper was replaced 2 years ago, so I’d be annoyed if they did! Reckon I need to see the breakdown of their bill- I’ll pick it up tomorrow when I get the car back. 

Brake pipe entire kit is £82 from MX5 parts and a downpipe is £40 from ECP... that’s only £122 parts. 

Chap I know is an MX5 specialist, but is a bit further away than my classic car garage (where I took the MX5 for its MoT), I’m going to get him to quote for the work to get a comparison. 

The problem is my actual main car (the Saab) is booked in with the same place for its MoT Friday, so if that’s buggered then it’s the 2CV or nothing!! 

[loserone]

Which might be a pain on the middle of winter, but should be okay for a week or so in June!

[loserone]

Rear calipers seize very often on these, especially if the car is left with the handbrake on for periods of time.  I use to leave mine with the handbrake off when at home, which avoided the issue.

[brownnova]

Theres no way I can justify spending big bucks on it, I was in two minds about selling it anyway! 

[brownnova]

Picked the Mazda up today. Speaking to the mechanic he was talking about how fiddly a job the brake lines are not sure he wanted the job if I’m honest. I’m going to get a second quote for the work from a local MX5 guy who I’ve used before and then probably buy snagglepuss’ Rover anyway. 

The bad news is that the main reason I bought it home was because the Saab was being dropped off for its MoT with them... wish me better luck than the Mazda! 

In other news have a pic if the 2CV brightening up a dull work car park! 

[brownnova]

Hurrah!!!

There’s some weird stuff on here... if the rubber pipe on the filler was snapped it would be leaking fuel... I think I’d notice that!!! I’m dubious about the suspension advisories too... Spring looks fine to me, and there’s no creaking or anything from the bushes... 

In other news I’ve had a second quote for the Mazda at less than half the price! 

[sutty2006]

Could be a vent line on the filler neck. Not having much luck with these mots recently! 

[brownnova]

Nope two in a week failed... FFS...

[brownnova]

So decided to have an investigate of the issues on the Mazdas MoT fail. 

The most important fail was for brake pipes. Corroded front to rear apparently...

Erm... ok then. They look fine to me. Poked and prodded no areas of concern... 

Offside front, 

A small amount of what looks like surface corrosion, might clean up... might not. 

Nearside rear... 

Nope can’t see excessive corrosion here either... 

So decision made, I’m taking it for a second opinion. 

On the Saab’s MoT They've also misidentified the breather pipe as the fuel line- and said the fuel line is cut. 

And I’m a bit dubious about the suspension fails too... 

 

[brownnova]

Both the Mazda and the Saab are off to specialists this week... which sounds dead posh, but in fact seems to be working out much cheaper as they have bits on hand and expert knowledge so therefore labour times are less. 

I may even have a working MoTd fleet soon! 

[brownnova]

What’s that I spy yonder in the distance... 

Oh it’s an MX5 with a full years MoT!!! 

I took it to an MX5 guy today, and left it with him with the MoT fail. I told him I had been underneath, thought the brake pipes were fine, and could he check what he thought about the back brakes and exhaust downpipe. 

He had said he was busy and would see to it when he got a chance, so when I got a message to say “Car’s passed” later on I was stunned to say the least! 

Mark had checked the brake pipes and agreed with me, they were fine, he cleaned the end if the one which had surface rust on. He put some paste on the exhaust, and said the brakes were fine. 

He popped it in for a test with his tester, and it passed with only one advisory. That was after less than half an hours work. 

Remember, I had been quoted £850 to get it through the test. I’m not sure that garage even checked it properly as they only arrange the tests and do it elsewhere. Mark (MX5 guy) charged me a tenner for the time plus test fee. 

Not sure what to do next. I had the Saab in the same place, and I’m now getting that work done. Starting to wonder if it needs doing at all! 

Should I complain to VOSA? I am certainly going to mention it to the garage (I’ve used them before happily for work, and it’s not them that do the MoT so I think they should know) 

I’m just pleased because I thought the MX5s time with me was done. I’ve had it 4 years, and I’m not quite ready to part with it yet... 

[richardmorris]

The underneath photos looked spotless. Complain if you want, but I don’t expect you’ll get a refund of the test, I’d just go elsewhere in future.

The last car I had a fail on was the current 2cv in 1998 - main Citroën Dealer in ascot which we went to, in royal ascot week, due to time issues. My usual Citroën specialist couldn’t even find the yellow crayon marks. A patch that year and a new galvanised  chassis the next as it’s cheaper in the long term - £450 20 years ago!

[dollywobbler]

Can't see the mileage in complaining to be honest. Part of the 'joy' of old cars is finding an appropriate MOT garage. I actually pulled a car out of a test once as my previous favourite place had a new tester and he was an utter arse. Got some right abuse hurled at me by the tester and his gobby assistant "It'll only fail anywhere else." Sure enough, it didn't. Sure enough, I've not been back to the original since. I don't mind a fail, but the warning signs for me start when I'm ordered into the viewing area (especially as this place had one where you could see SOD ALL). I know it's not in the strictest letter of the rules, but I like watching the test closely. I like being pointed at fails, or fails-to-be if I don't sort it out.

[Tickman]

I would have a word with the garage you took it to as they might be unaware that there is an issue 

[brownnova]

I doubt I’ll complain to VOSA... I’m too British... 

But I do intend to mention it to the garage. The owner has been a mate for years, and is a cracking mechanic. I happily send people with classic cars his way. I think he needs to know that the place he sends his cars for MoT have been duff on this occasion. 

I should really time it so my MoTs are in the summer hols so I can go and observe them all! 

[brownnova]

Saab now in for its work. Should be ready tomorrow! Had good company at the specialist.