Damsel in distress..mot failure. Brake line problem

[stocktake]

I've sent Andy a PM to make him aware of this thread

[Mikejaytee]

I have found that some testers will routinely give an advisory regarding brake pipe 'corrosion' if there is any grease, paint or waxoyl etc on the pipes. They won't even investigate further, they just assume that the grease or whatever is on there to 'cover up corrosion'. If, like me, you coat or paint the pipes to actually prevent them from corroding, you may get an advisory...even if the pipes are in perfect order...

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by Mikejaytee

I have found that some testers will routinely give an advisory regarding brake pipe 'corrosion' if there is any grease, paint or waxoyl etc on the pipes. They won't even investigate further, they just assume that the grease or whatever is on there to 'cover up corrosion'. If, like me, you coat or paint the pipes to actually prevent them from corroding, you may get an advisory...even if the pipes are in perfect order...

Problem is Mike, the tester isn't allowed to remove any coating, so if it obscures the condition of the pipe then it cannot be viewed.

I like many others routinely coat the brake pipes in exposed areas with clear waxoyl or LM grease, but this earned me an advisory a couple of weeks back.

I wiped off the grease and all there was underneath was a nice satin green pipe, just as it left the factory, so I recoated it with waxoyl.

If a pipe has to be painted, then generally it's not good practice, as unless the pipe is completely devoid of corrosion beforehand, painting a pipe can accelerate it's demise.

When it comes to brake pipes, if I'm in any doubt I replace the pipe using Kunifer, and using the original pipe as a pattern made up off the car.

These cars, unless exceptionally little used and kept dry in a garage will require brake pipes from front to rear, and from the ABS modulator to both front flexible hoses, as they will be ropey where they pass through the grommet in the inner wing, and where they're clipped under the floor.

Brian

[victorgte]

3 out the last 4 Rover 75’s I’ve owned have needed brake pipes front to back. One let go on the MOT test. Hell of a mess. I’ll try and upload the video.

[MSS]

I also coat the new pipes in clear Waxoyl so that the tester can see their condition.

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by victorgte

3 out the last 4 Rover 75’s I’ve owned have needed brake pipes front to back. One let go on the MOT test. Hell of a mess. I’ll try and upload the video.

It is a game with some MOT testers, especially if they suspect (rightly) that a rotten pipe has been disguised in any way.

While on the rollers, the brake pedal is pressed with all of the testers might, and this usually results in the failure of the corroded section.

Originally Posted by mss

I also coat the new pipes in clear Waxoyl so that the tester can see their condition.

I tend not to bother too much with the Kunifer pipework, as it will easily outlive any vehicle it is fitted too Maninder, but the unions still need protection

Brian

[p2roverman]

I had to replace both front pipes (one on each car) for their mots, and for speed bought ready-made ones off ebay, but these are in copper. Most tricky job is fitting the offside one where it runs behind the engine. Helped to have the plastic manifold off, fortunately I was doing the KV6 cambelt change at the same time.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Wolds_lady_2006

Sheet says: Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded main (1.1.11 (c))
Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded main (1.1.11 (c))

Thanks Debs. Mike has summed it up accurately:

Originally Posted by mh007

So in fact It's only failed on both front to rear brake pipes, a common problem on these cars.

The front-to-rear pipes corrode where they are held in the plastic clips securing them to the floor pan. You only need to replace this horizontal pipe run. This is exactly what I did on my car. You don’t need the whole lot replacing, but take steps to treat the corrosion mentioned in the advisories but only if there is any!

Simon

[sworks]

Covering brake pipes in a substance to an MOT tester looks as though you are trying to hide something and the new rules as of this year help with this. In reality it’s about cross sectional thickness which is impossible to test with a pipe that’s intact and so the tester will look to see if a pipe fails on the rollers. If it doesn’t then it should pass. However, before everybody starts complaining about failed brake pipes consider one thing, you have corroded pipes and they don’t fail on the rollers but two miles later the pipe pops on the way home.... who would accept this as the correct decision? I’m guessing nobody, everybody would complain about that the car had just passed its mot and seek retribution against the tester. If the brake pipes are corroded change them, if not wipe them clean before the test and retreat after, it’s as simple as that. I’m not sure why anybody would even want to be an mot tester these days!

[rockerbox]

I don't know where you guys and gals find your MOT testers. I've used the same fella for years and he knows me and my car. He rarely issues me with an official advisory like the "dirty" brake pipes but shows me anything suspect so that I can deal with it. He would be happy for me to undo a clip and wipe the pipe/union to reveal the condition there and then.
Only thing he keeps on at me about is the front wishbone bushes, they just don't seem to last, so they get replaced yearly.