Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

Philp · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 14:50 Post subject: MoT Questions

The MoT on the new troop falls dues on the day we due to go to France next at Easter so I'm gonna get it done a month before so i have time to sort any problems should it fail. The question I have is I think the cam belt is due at 12K miles and its on around 116K, is it advisable to get it done before I put it in as I know they rev the danglers off it to check the emissions. Every time I take it in for an MoT they ask me if the cam belt is up to date so I'm guessing it is possible for them to break/jump during the test. If so I need to start thinking about arranging it now (not something I feel confident doing myself) also is it advisable to change the tensioner(s)? It did have a full main dealer service history pretty much up until I bought it so everything that should have been changed should have been!

Hopefully unless they find any rust it should go through, it's had new brake pads all round, new disks on the rear and a new master since I've had it, even tha handbrake works well which is a revelation after the MK1.
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

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Philp · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 14:52 Post subject:

Thats should read 120K miles (damn you lack of an edit button!)
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

dxmedia · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 15:00 Post subject:

It's worth changine at the sheduled time - shouldn't really matter for the MOT (although if it snaps you can't hold them responsible). 60000 miles is a safe distance... I've known vehicles with well over 100 000 on a single belt - but your in real lottery territory there.

For an MOT check -

Front end.

All rubber boots (CV, ball joins, track rods) are in good condition
Tyres are not nicked on the side walls
Tread is good across 75% of the tyre
Wheel bearings tight
Brake lines are not corroded (if they are paint grease on them with a stiff paint brush Wink

)
Head lights and indicators work (front fogs are not part of the test)

Middle.

All breaklines are good (as above)

Back

Handbrake cable is in good condition
Break pipes in good condition (as above)
All rubbers on suspension good
Tyres in good condition
All lights work, only off side fog needs to work, but might as well check everything

Interiour

All seat belts if fitted work properly
Seats are securly bolted in
Steering wheel is secure.

Engine bay

All pipe work is not corrorded (paint with grease again if a problem)
No oil or diesel leaks

The above won't pass you, but it's all the simple checks which can be done at home with limited tools. If you go for a test with the majority sorted the tester might be a little leaniant with regards to advisorys.

Tip with emissions - get the engine HOT before the MOT, drive in 3rd to the station rather than 4th or similar, it will clean a lot of rubbish out of the system (I've got cars with knackered lambda sensors through by thrashing the balls off them before an emissions test Wink

)
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Philp · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 15:07 Post subject:

Yeah, if it ever stops raining it'll get all the usual checks, tyres are about four months old, front brake pipes are a tad rusty in the wheel arches but a little moly grease (its nice and black!) will help. Lights all work as I check em regularly, I just need to give the suspension/steering the once over and have a little shufti for any rust. This summer all the front bumper/protection etc is coming off so I can derust, paint and wax the chassis, same with the back end too.
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

Philp · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 15:10 Post subject:

Oh and it'll get a couple of tankfulls of the mega pricey shell super diesel run through as I've found it does lower the emissions a little. My MK1 emissions actually dropped from one year to the next on the stuff as opposed to normal supermarket diesel.
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

gary820 · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 17:45 Post subject:

i'd do the belt, you can refuse to test a vehicle if there's no history of this, if you tell them not had a belt and if it goes it's still your fault!
like chris said a good check over of stuff, you'd be surprised how low standards are for an mot!!!
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Philp · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 18:40 Post subject:

I'm probably gonna get it done then and the tensioners replaced at the same time, I've just been out in it and actually its nearly on 117K so by the time we go to France in March and get back it'll be up there.

As to the rest, guys, I've got some eggs here, perhaps you could give me some instructions as to how to suck em...............After all, I've only been driving for 24 years so I've not put any dodgy old motors through an MoT before.... Wink

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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

dxmedia · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 18:45 Post subject:

K.Goodwin · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 19:18 Post subject:

i usually just take mine and let them inspect it for me Laughing

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