MOT Fail

[gary58]

My Chimaera has failed on headlight alignment is there a legal headlight which can be replaced and adjusted without stripping down the the cowling.

[phazed]

You can adjust the originals, then that is it just is on rusted solid.

Or you can bite the bullet and take apart the original to replace defective parts.

If you feel flush and have the time, you can always go for the Lupo or faired in light conversion.

[gary58]

What is the best solution you would recommend

[phazed]

The nicest solution in my opinion is the fared in headlamps.

These are not cheap if you have them done by a professional but certainly make the car.

Gratuitous picture.

[Andav469]

Agree with the faired in headlights modification, I also had hid units fitted at the same time

[SMB]

gary58 said:

My Chimaera has failed on headlight alignment is there a legal headlight which can be replaced and adjusted without stripping down the the cowling.

assuming it's failed on alignment rather than corroded reflectors, i'd check the bulb first, in theory there is only 1 way to install the bulb correctly, but you can force fit and install the bulb incorrectly which will cause a fail.

you don't say if yours is a mk1 or mk2 model, mk1 being harder to get the bulb fitted correctly. Worth checking this first as it could be that simple.

[phillpot]

Wind the rear shocks up, this will bring the headlights down...... reset after MOT

[phazed]

phillpot said:

Wind the rear shocks up, this will bring the headlights down...... reset after MOT

Done that before but wound the front shocks up!

[Matthew Poxon]

Andav469 said:

Agree with the faired in headlights modification, I also had hid units fitted at the same time

That looks really nice with the faired in lights, etorils and cerb seats.

[ClassiChimi]

Matthew Poxon said:

Andav469 said:

Agree with the faired in headlights modification, I also had hid units fitted at the same time

That looks really nice with the faired in lights, etorils and cerb seats.

It just looks nice ,, period. Some cars have something, it's not just the clean,, it's not this or that,,,it's a blend that smoothly goes from one area to another,,, this car has that kind of blend I reckon,, it's got class.

[skiver.]

gary58 said:

My Chimaera has failed on headlight alignment is there a legal headlight which can be replaced and adjusted without stripping down the the cowling.

I've had mine MOT'd at the same place for 7 years and this time the same tester for all those tests said my headlights were set up for driving on the right! He let it go, out of embarrassment I think,but I'd get a second opinion in your case and maybe a re-test somewhere else.

[bobfather]

skiver. said:

I've had mine MOT'd at the same place for 7 years and this time the same tester for all those tests said my headlights were set up for driving on the right! He let it go, out of embarrassment I think,but I'd get a second opinion in your case and maybe a re-test somewhere else.

That's not set-up, it's the wrong lenses. It will say on the lens which direction their beam is

[skiver.]

The lenses are the correct ones, I think he or his equipment was having an off-day as I had them checked elsewhere and all was ok.

[gary58]

Thanks for all your info but I have decided to let the garage do the job for me at a price

[gary58]

Iv'e had the garage reline the headlamps and pass the MOT but they left the cowlings off and asked if would finish the job the last time they were refixed was with a water proof mastic does anyone know what is the best out there iv'e found a few but would like your opinions here are some that have been recommended and told you must keep cleaning down and smoothing with meths to stop lumping .


GEOCEL AUTO RTV SILICONE RUBBER SEALANT & INSTANT GASKET 310ML - BLACK
marine silicone rubber sealant
ever build silicone rubber sealant

[Paulprior]

Sikaflex seems to be the normal recommendation, there is normally one or two blobs at the top of the cowling

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I used Tiger Seal when I had to replace a broken headlight glass.

[bobfather]

Paulprior said:

Sikaflex seems to be the normal recommendation, there is normally one or two blobs at the top of the cowling

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

I used Tiger Seal when I had to replace a broken headlight glass.

Sikaflex and Tiger Seal are exactly the same stuff, only difference is that Sikaflex is far less expensive

[gary58]

just brought silkaflex black from screwfix will put on tomorrow what is the cure time ?

[Aussie John]

Sikaflex drys a bit more matt than tiger which seemed to be shinier.