'Engine overheating' picked up on MOT
Discussion
Took a Honda Jazz for MOT at a Honda dealership, never quite 100% on doing that but never mind.
The guy on the desk said they'd found something a little alarming, and that when they were doing the emissions check the engine overheating light flashed up, and not to drive any long distances without getting it put right for the sum of £234. As we've never seen any warning lights, regularly do 1-hour motorway journeys and have never had any trouble with the engine at all, I politely declined.
Could there be something behind this, or was there a bit of chancing of arms going on? Not sure how an engine can overheat during the course of a short MOT but happy to be put right.
The guy on the desk said they'd found something a little alarming, and that when they were doing the emissions check the engine overheating light flashed up, and not to drive any long distances without getting it put right for the sum of £234. As we've never seen any warning lights, regularly do 1-hour motorway journeys and have never had any trouble with the engine at all, I politely declined.
Could there be something behind this, or was there a bit of chancing of arms going on? Not sure how an engine can overheat during the course of a short MOT but happy to be put right.
k themselves and take it to a independent next time.Twilkes said:
Took a Honda Jazz for MOT at a Honda dealership, never quite 100% on doing that but never mind.
The guy on the desk said they'd found something a little alarming, and that when they were doing the emissions check the engine overheating light flashed up, and not to drive any long distances without getting it put right for the sum of £234. As we've never seen any warning lights, regularly do 1-hour motorway journeys and have never had any trouble with the engine at all, I politely declined.
Could there be something behind this, or was there a bit of chancing of arms going on? Not sure how an engine can overheat during the course of a short MOT but happy to be put right.
The car is idling during the MOT for quite a long time, if the fan doesn't cut in the car will overheat. The guy on the desk said they'd found something a little alarming, and that when they were doing the emissions check the engine overheating light flashed up, and not to drive any long distances without getting it put right for the sum of £234. As we've never seen any warning lights, regularly do 1-hour motorway journeys and have never had any trouble with the engine at all, I politely declined.
Could there be something behind this, or was there a bit of chancing of arms going on? Not sure how an engine can overheat during the course of a short MOT but happy to be put right.
Try leaving your car on the drive for 20mins and see if the fan cuts in, if the temp light comes on your car needs attention. If the problem is the fan not cutting in it will not overheat as long as you keep moving, don't run the car in an overheated state.
FWIW I normally take my cars for MOT at main dealers rather than an "MOT Garage" as the it the core business of the "MOT Garage" to make money off MOT failures.
IMO all MOT stations should be independent and not offer repair services.
OP-Sounds like the radiator fan is not working. This is not something you would ever notice on a 1hr motorway commute.
IMO all MOT stations should be independent and not offer repair services.
OP-Sounds like the radiator fan is not working. This is not something you would ever notice on a 1hr motorway commute.
stevesingo said:
FWIW I normally take my cars for MOT at main dealers rather than an "MOT Garage" as the it the core business of the "MOT Garage" to make money off MOT failures.
IMO all MOT stations should be independent and not offer repair services.
OP-Sounds like the radiator fan is not working. This is not something you would ever notice on a 1hr motorway commute.
I've never had problems with MOT stuff, most testers seem very "by the book" which I like.IMO all MOT stations should be independent and not offer repair services.
OP-Sounds like the radiator fan is not working. This is not something you would ever notice on a 1hr motorway commute.
I've used main dealers, local garage, MOT garage and council run MOT only places. If you are concerned use a council run place no repairs allowed.
I like MOT places that offer repairs, saves hassell, something small can be dealt with at the time.
How did you get on OP? Faulty fan?
Edited by DocArbathnot on Saturday 18th May 17:37
It was a red notice on the MOT summary, but wouldn't constitute a fail, which is why I asked them not to look at it for the moment. That and the cost.
Not had a chance to test it yet - ours is an area you wouldn't really want to leave a car running on the driveway - but will try it at work in the week and see what happens.
If the fan doesn't come on, is that a new fan needed or could there be a number of things to check and replace?
Not had a chance to test it yet - ours is an area you wouldn't really want to leave a car running on the driveway - but will try it at work in the week and see what happens.
If the fan doesn't come on, is that a new fan needed or could there be a number of things to check and replace?
stevesingo said:
FWIW I normally take my cars for MOT at main dealers rather than an "MOT Garage" as the it the core business of the "MOT Garage" to make money off MOT failures.
That sounds like a pretty risky move; main dealers are the absolute worst for ripping people off IME.Use a council run MOT station if possible, they have no repair facilities so don't stand to make any more money by failing a car.
Twilkes said:
It was a red notice on the MOT summary, but wouldn't constitute a fail, which is why I asked them not to look at it for the moment. That and the cost.
Not had a chance to test it yet - ours is an area you wouldn't really want to leave a car running on the driveway - but will try it at work in the week and see what happens.
If the fan doesn't come on, is that a new fan needed or could there be a number of things to check and replace?
Run it see what happens, if it needs a fix book it in at a trusted indy. Labour charges are likely to be £50 per hour rather than £100 per hour. It could be a number of things.Not had a chance to test it yet - ours is an area you wouldn't really want to leave a car running on the driveway - but will try it at work in the week and see what happens.
If the fan doesn't come on, is that a new fan needed or could there be a number of things to check and replace?
As said I would be inclined to belive the garage but you can get the job done cheaper elsewhere.
A good indy is worth knowing, they tend to better at diagnosing and fixing mainstream/older stuff rather than just replacing bits in a haphazard fashion.
Twilkes said:
If the fan doesn't come on, is that a new fan needed or could there be a number of things to check and replace?
Could be anything really, does the car get warm according to the gauge ?Check both top and bottom hoses going to the radiator are warm and pressurised
Could be the fan itself but lots of other stuff too, some cars still have a switch in the radiator, when it gets too warm the switch makes contact and turns the fan on if that goes faulty the fan never gets switched on. Likewise there will be a relay somewhere,if that doesn't work the fan won't switch on.
If the water pump is worn or broken it means the coolant doesn't circulate properly so the car may overheat - 1.8T VAG engines are known for this because the impeller is plastic, they get worn, crack and fall off of the spindle of the pump.
Could be a damaged radiator that is providing insufficient cooling.
Probably best to find a trusted independent and get them to check it - should be less than half the price quoted by the dealer to check it out.
jagracer said:
What's a red notice on the MOT summary, I've never seen one of those before?
It was Honda's own internal record of tests, they're marked Red, Amber or Green. All the passes were green, a potential oil leak was amber, the overheating thing was red; and a faulty light and a steering rod issue were red and would have failed the MOT, so they'll fix those and issue the test certificate next weekend.Sat in the drive for 20 minutes with the engine running (hung a hose out the window just to give the neighbours something to talk about) and no overheating light. Couldn't tell if the fan came on or not, but there seemed a noise at the end that wasn't there at the beginning so that's possibly what it was.
Going back to get the steering fixed this weekend, so will quiz them about what they found and what their charge would have been for...
Thanks for the help
Going back to get the steering fixed this weekend, so will quiz them about what they found and what their charge would have been for...
Thanks for the help
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