MOT Time

Some of my rather scarce spare time over the past month or so was spent preparing the cars for their biennial General Periodic Inspection (or MOT for the UK residents). First in line was ‘t Kreng. During her final check-up I couldn’t find much wrong. So I wasn’t surprised that she passed without any advisories. As always it was good to see that all the vital points were still spot on.

With a fresh MOT for ‘t Kreng she was put back in the shed. And the DHC was woken after a 9 months long hibernation, to be brought home. The engine did need some persuasion with a liberal dose of quick start in both carburettors. But after a few minutes on the road the cobwebs were already blown away. But the handling was a bit vague during the short drive. Hardly surprising as the tyre pressures had dropped a bit. From the usual 2,0 Bar all round to a random 1,7 to 1,8 Bar.

Another problem I found was a slight knocking noise while checking the LH front bearing for play, with the wheel of the ground. But I wasn't convinced it was coming from the bearing, as there seemed to be no play. There was also no noise coming from the bearing. First impression was that the captive nut for the shock absorber might be loose. Because I thought it was too hot for any physical work, I decided to try my luck and have the car MOT’ed.

But while turning of the motorway a few minutes away from the work shop I did smell fuel. And on arrival we soon found the culprit, another split fuel hose. For those who regularly follow these ramblings might have a Déja Vu! And another job for the up coming service.

Luckily the hose (supplying the rear carburettor) could be replaced within minutes. And the inspection could begin, starting with the emissions. And it immediately became clear that the engine was running a little better, compared to when the car was driven into the workshop. And the emissions were nicely within the prescribed limits too (CO ±3,5%; CO2 ±10,0% and λ ±1,0) They were actually more or less the same as ‘t Kreng’s.

All other inspection points were also passes without any advisories or worse! And the noise in the LH front suspension? That turned out to be a little play in the top cone caused by the fact the suspension wasn’t loaded, and as such not an inspection criteria. So another two year certificate of good health for both cars.

Pré MOT check DHC

But I’ll start with a belated happy 42nd birthday for the DHC, as she was first registered on the 6th of June 1980! As for this posts title: The initial plan was to fully service the DHC yesterday, in preparation for its upcoming biennial MOT. But with temperatures in the shade of almost 35ºC that wasn't an inviting perspective. So I decided to limit the work to the most vital bits and carry out the service somewhere after the car’s MOT later in the week.

I started with a check of the wheel bearings and a visual check of the other visible suspension bits. After which I moved my attention to the engine bay. Traditionally the first check is the water pump area. Always nice to see nothing wrong there.

Routing and condition of the choke cable.

The (6mm fuel) hose is there to prevent the cable from kinking.

Checking the custom throttle actuator rod

No play or funny noises on the viscous coupling and pulley bearing.

Clean connectors on the hi-torque starter motor

Checking lights etc.

And finally a few overview pictures of the engine bay. Certainly not concourse condition, but not too shabby either after 12 years of use since her restoration was completed.