Morris Minor Owners Club

Just got the Moggy through another test
Bit strange this year though.... I got new tester and he issued an advisory for an engine oil leak and the tester told me it could have failed on that everything else ok and no work required
Can't see what on earth an oil leak from the engine has to do with safety nipped bolts up and it's fixed... what's the world coming to..

Mal

Well done! I dread to think what your tester would have said about the oil leak from the rear crank seal on my sidevalve then!

Well done! I dread to think what your tester would have said about the oil leak from the rear crank seal on my sidevalve then!

Thanks
This must be another way of trying to get the older cars off the road I've never heard of this one.... he can't be aware that nearly all old British cars/ m. cycles have slight leaks, and I wouldn't care but it was nothing more than a couple of slight spots, not exactly running out ah well, at least I'm ok for another year

Mal

Was the tester older or younger than the car?

Was the tester older or younger than the car?

Hmmm.. yes he was a lot younger than the car ( if he'd failed it on the oil leak, he wouldn't have reached nowhere near the cars age ) I've been to that garage for years but he was new.. think he's just past his testers exam as he was like 'Maxwell' with his silver hammer
Anyway, the main thing is the rest of the car had a 'good' test and I know it's safe

Mal

well done, if the oil leak is away from any brake parts can not see a problem
my mot man has never asked about il leaks when i had them, and thats most of my vans

A completly leak free minor has got to be quite a rare car I would think.

Kevin wrote:A completly leak free minor has got to be quite a rare car I would think.

Apart from 2-stroke Ray who was the only car with oil that didn't drip in Coventry ;)

well done, if the oil leak is away from any brake parts can not see a problem
my mot man has never asked about il leaks when i had them, and thats most of my vans

I wonder if this is a new thing with the mot's, maybe Jonathan could answer this one....
The very 'minor' oil leak was from the rear sump gasket.. now nipped up and not leaking, also a very slight trace around the drain nut, where I have just done an oil change, now nipped up a bit so no leak.
I still can't see what this has to do with the roadworthiness of any vehicle but I'm just happy it's got a years test and the way the tester went through the rest of the car I know it's safe ( until I get behind the wheel )

Mal

yes i must admit can not really see a problem with an oil leak in that area, pro beneficial to the minor as well, it will keep the chassis well oiled, and stop the rust bug

one thing should be noted that it should leak while under testing.

this could cause a problem!

james

The Midget got the same advisory.

I forgot to ask where exactly it was leaking from, but I'd imagine it was the very slight drip from the bellhousing or maybe the small drops that collect on both the sump and box drain plugs. Whatever the case I'm certainly not losing oil at a noticable rate and the car barely leaves its mark when parked overnight, so I don't care

The Midget got the same advisory

Ah, I'm glad I'm not alone.... As I've already said, it don't bother me and I'm only pleased I got a new test.. what did concern me is the mention of it just wondered if this was another 'extra' thing added to the mot...
I never use any oil between my two oilchanges each year, so I wouldn't call the leak large... just wonder what that's got to do with the car been roadworthy though.. after all that's what an mot is supposed to be about.

Mal

Yes, well done on passing the MOT- my Traveller did on Sat, 2nd time lucky, I had to fix the rear number plate light, fit a new front wheel bearing, new rear cylinder bleed and adjust the brakes and handbrake.

Its a great feeling isn't it! BTW, the test centre were really good and the one recommended by the East Kent branch. PM me for details if you are local to Thanet East kent.

I never knew oil leaks could fail an MOT - my blue Minor was leaking very badly when it was tested (so much so from the rocker cover that the exhaust manifold was smoking) and it only got an advisory. I've fixed that one now though

Have a test tomorrow, so will ask if the testers have been given a new directive

They can refuse to test the car if its too dirty to inspect properly. Other than that, maybe excessive fluid leaks are a new environmental requirement of the test. My Traveller is not too bad for leaks- no mention from the MOT man, except "nice and solid underneath"!

Have a test tomorrow, so will ask if the testers have been given a new directive

Thanks Jonathan, would just be intersting to see if this 'young' mot tester is correct or is he just a bit above himself if it's the latter and it's not correct regarding oil leaks I'll be back down there for an explanation.... even though the Moggy has a new test, I still have an advisory showing an oil leak

They can refuse to test the car if its too dirty to inspect properly

I think that is fair enough, if the underside is covered in mud etc; and a half decent examination of the chassis, floorpans etc is impossible.. this could be hiding dangerous corrosion.. but I do draw the line at a small oil leak which is surely not dangerous.. unless you slip in it

Mal

Or the tester considers that your/someone elses car might slip in it, surely

Nowt there to slip in

Mal