MOT and carbs/throttle bodies

[TheLarneMan]

Just a word of warning for anyone with open carbs or throttle bodies when it comes to MOT time. They now must be covered or enclosed.

The 205 failed its MOT a while back due to the throttle bodies being a 'fire hazard'. The car passed three or four MOT's before this year without any bother. According to the fail sheet, a fire trap was missing. Apparently the centre had a couple of rally cars in that backfired and spat some flames into the engine bay.

Here's the before picture - MOT FAIL:

I had the choice of fitting an airbox (expensive and the slam panel needed cut) or four fire-resistant socks (cheap and easily fitted). Here's the after picture - MOT PASS:

 

[pablo]

socks FTW. Straight back off again I presume?

 

[stevieturbo]

Nothing new about that. Im amazed it ever passed before. Was it in England or here ?

Carbs have never been allowed to have their inlets exposed.

 

[TheLarneMan]

Nothing new about that. Im amazed it ever passed before. Was it in England or here ?

Carbs have never been allowed to have their inlets exposed.

It was new to me. All previous MOT's were in NI. Nothing was ever mentioned to me before. The examiner at the centre told me it was a new guideline.

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[stevieturbo]

Definately not new. A friends MK2 Escort failed on this, must be almost 20 years ago for the same reason. And it certainly wasnt new back then either.

 

[TheLarneMan]

Would you prefer if I deleted the post seeing as you knew about it 20 years ago?

I'm passing on exactly what the examiner told me.

The car passed it's last fours MOT's in NI and failed this year due to no firetrap.

If it saves someone a re-test fee, then good.
If the information is as old as the ark, then ignore it. Don't go on about it.

 

[mikey]

I brought my da's Honda motorcycle to the test a couple weeks back and I was given an advisory about the open bellmouth carbs although no mention was made at the previous 3 MOTs.....

 

[Coog]

Silly question time...

How's the air filtered in the top set-up?

 

[worky]

Silly question time...

How's the air filtered in the top set-up?

Its not

 

[Coog]

Learn something new every day... cheers worky.

I've no clue about ITB's... must look into them a bit more

 

[chunky]

it's like everything surrounding mot's ...all depends who you get and where you take the car ...luck of the draw ...any money that car could pass next year without the socks tho obviously makes sense not to chance your arm since you have them

 

[Mark_C]

BX almost failed in 2001 for having exposed throttle bodies. Luckily I had a clip on panel and box in the boot.

To the OP - I found that socks were a pile of balls. A proper enclosed airbox works much better.

 

[worky]

Learn something new every day... cheers worky.

I've no clue about ITB's... must look into them a bit more

They are something I need to have sometime. They sound amazing on the c20xe. Just need to get my finger out.

 

[Overload]

Not too much of a change atleast Got my car up for MOT here in the next few weeks

 

[chrisd1]

always been like this as far as i know! You should really get an enclosed box or atleast socks/aluminium guard shield made up...

With the ITB's at the front like that, you suck in 1 stone or something it wont go down too good

 

[Mark_C]

never mind the stones - all the dirt and road grit of the day being sucked in and slowly wrecking your bores!

 

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

I remember someone asking me about this, I think it may have been the OP, must ask in wiork again, I don't remember the answer I got last time, its definately not a new guideline though, and not something I've heard of before. Many's a rally car I've passed with no airbox.....

 

[stevieturbo]

Carbs with no covering can be lethal, especially sidedraughts. They do have a habit of spitting fuel back out on occasion.

There are very many silly fails when it comes to MOT's, but this one is a major safety issue.

 

[pablo]

They do have a habit of spitting fuel back out on occasion.

which is why foam filters are bad, soak over time with fuel, get a wee flame then WOOF!

 

[TheLarneMan]

It just goes to show the inconsistencies across the MOT centres. One mans pass is another mans fail. One examiners new guideline is another examiners old news...

A proper airbox is the preferred solution but the socks got it through the test.

 

[peter "T"]

It was new to me. All previous MOT's were in NI. Nothing was ever mentioned to me before. The examiner at the centre told me it was a new guideline.

Don't shoot the messenger.

ive looked here, and found nothing that say"s about trumpets being exposed ?
MOT | NIDirect

 

[natogreen16v]

where do i get there flame retardant socks. I'll need some next week

 

[stevieturbo]

Roy in Motorsport & Spares in Ballymena would likely have them in stock.

 

[natogreen16v]

thanks stevie