overheating during mot

coastline
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overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 9:25:17 GMT 1

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Post by coastline on Jul 25, 2013 9:25:17 GMT 1

Hi.
A bit of advice please. What are the rules regarding leaving the engine running during the m.o.t,
It has to be running to check emmisions and brakes/steering etc etc But is there any need to leave it idling for the whole test. Our local testing bay is basicly a tunnel with doors either end. Last week it was 30 degress and both doors shut and my vehicle was left idling for 40 mins before it sprung a tiny water leak. i pointed out to the tester that i would never allow the vehicle to idle for that lenght of time espicily with no cool air coming into the building also is it wise to have all them emisions in a confined space. He then took the huff and abandon the test just before the brake test.

What are the rules regarding leaving a vehicle ticking over. Also its a 1 man testing bay so what happens if anything goes wrong while he is underneath it. And finally is there a duty of care issue to make sure my vehicle is safr while in his care (i.e he should of opend the garage doors to let air in)
best regards

pete
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overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 9:50:32 GMT 1

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Post by pete on Jul 25, 2013 9:50:32 GMT 1

hi coastline, welcome to the forum.

have a look at this from the Vosa Testing Guide.

1. Testing Guide - click browse, then Contents, then Appendix 4, then click 1.

www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

Last Edit: Jul 25, 2013 10:03:19 GMT 1 by pete -

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overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 10:08:34 GMT 1

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Post by David on Jul 25, 2013 10:08:34 GMT 1

The engine has to be running at various stages during the MOT Test coastline. It's unfortunate your vehicle sprung a leak to be fair, it should cope with idling no problem in any temp unless you have a fault. You could find it's a faulty cooling fan or switch

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coastline
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overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 11:20:18 GMT 1

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Post by coastline on Jul 25, 2013 11:20:18 GMT 1

many thanks for the very quick replys. i agree that the vehicle should be able to idle for that lenght of time but i just cant help thinking that if the doors had of been open allowing fresh air in it would not of happend as it was absolutley roasting inside the test bay when we went in. since replacing the hose that leaked weve left the car ticking over for 2 hours outside without any problems so i belive the overheating was down to the location. Now im not a tester but i have to ask the question are these 1 man testing bays safe lets say it was the bottom radiator hose that had burst and covered the tester in scalding water who would be there to help or if anything goes wrong during the test say a fuel leak how can the tester switch the vehicle of when he is underneath the car. I think what miffed was the fact that he abandoned the test with only a brake test to go and to be honest it was only a drip and not a full pipe failure.
best regards
coastline

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overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 13:01:57 GMT 1

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Post by baz657 on Jul 25, 2013 13:01:57 GMT 1

To be fair to the tester, as the engine would have to be running in order to carry out a brake performance test, he did the right thing in abandoning the test when he did. Damage to the engine could have occurred if the coolant leak had got worse and the engine overheated.

While it's not 100% necessary to keep the engine running throughout the test, with a correctly functioning cooling system there should be no problem with any ambient temperature, with or without a cooling breeze (that's what the fan is there for). I know it may not be any comfort, but it's fortunate the leak showed up there and then and not while you were sitting stationary in an inevitable summer traffic jam somewhere in the middle of nowhere - the first indication you probably would have had was steam bellowing up from under the bonnet.

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David Administrator Owner\Director, AE\NT\SM, DVSA VTS Council Member, Registered Member & Administrator of The MOT Testers & AE's Forum If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts. Albert Einstein Posts: 6,722 Class tested: 4 Last Online: May 2, 2024 12:17:45 GMT 1 Likes: 965	overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 16:14:42 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by David on Jul 25, 2013 16:14:42 GMT 1 Did you check to see if it was condensation from Air-con pipes or not?
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overheating during mot Jul 25, 2013 19:22:25 GMT 1

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Post by grumpy on Jul 25, 2013 19:22:25 GMT 1

It is essential that the tester keeps the engine running whilst he is under the car. he will have applied pressure to the brake pedal and will be checking for bulging or leaking brake hoses and ancillary brake components, power steering operation and leaks, exhaust system leaks and integrity etc. it sounds as though the fault lay in a defect in your car I'm afraid.

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overheating during mot Jul 26, 2013 8:00:48 GMT 1

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Post by aylesburyjock on Jul 26, 2013 8:00:48 GMT 1

It's nice to see you're also concerned for the safety of the tester. The simple answer is that one man test bays are as safe as they can be. There is an element of risk in any engineering related job if you are working alone, and that is something everyone in that situation accepts. You cannot make things 100% safe.

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overheating during mot Jul 26, 2013 8:33:23 GMT 1

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Post by billyloadsamud on Jul 26, 2013 8:33:23 GMT 1

Unfortunately, overheating problems are not uncommon during MOT testing, the engine has to be held at a steady 2500/3000 revs when hot to get emission details,(and can be longer if first test is not a pass) it has to idle to do under bonnet and underside checks(normally just after emission test) and while brake roller testing. This should not throw up any faults on an engine/cooling system in good order, but will highlight faults in cooling systems.
When jacking vehicle and for other checks engine can be off.

does seem as though a cooling system fault has been highlighted, better to find it in a garage than sitting in trafic on way to something important

Hooters VTS Council member Posts: 1,122 Class tested: 4, 5L, 7 Last Online: May 2, 2024 17:16:52 GMT 1 Likes: 783	overheating during mot Jul 26, 2013 16:23:39 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Hooters on Jul 26, 2013 16:23:39 GMT 1 Hi coastline, nothing to add except to say you have my sympathy. Just out of curiosity, what was the make, model, age and mileage and was it in 'standard' trim?
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Post by coastline on Jul 25, 2013 9:25:17 GMT 1

Post by pete on Jul 25, 2013 9:50:32 GMT 1

Post by David on Jul 25, 2013 10:08:34 GMT 1

Post by coastline on Jul 25, 2013 11:20:18 GMT 1

Post by baz657 on Jul 25, 2013 13:01:57 GMT 1

Post by David on Jul 25, 2013 16:14:42 GMT 1

Post by grumpy on Jul 25, 2013 19:22:25 GMT 1

Post by aylesburyjock on Jul 26, 2013 8:00:48 GMT 1

Post by billyloadsamud on Jul 26, 2013 8:33:23 GMT 1

Post by Hooters on Jul 26, 2013 16:23:39 GMT 1