If they fail you for oil leaks there must not be many LBC's passing the MA
inspection.
Ron Olds
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Shoyer <Steve@shoyer.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 11:25 AM
Subject: Failed MA inspection
> I finally took my car to the inspection station, and I was dissappointed
when it failed. In MA, the car (1980 MGB) is not required to pass emission
inspection, just a safety check, which usually consists of makinmg sure that
all the lights work, horn, wipers, etc. The technician failed me for two
items:
>
> - He jacked up the front of the car and shook the wheels, and said that I
needed a new ball joint. He said that the other side of the car wasn't as
bad, that it just needed a tie rod end.
>
> - There was an oil leak. I opened the hood and saw that it was coming
from the oil dipstick tube. I had tightly fastened the oil filler cap
before going to the inspection station (it had been loose before), so it
looks like the system isn't venting correctly.
>
> On the suspension parts, I thought that the ball joint was on the tie rod
end, and that if there's other play that he was complaining about, it's
probably caused by a worn kingpin. I don't know what he was looking (or
feeling) for when he did the test, but can someone describe how to test for
worn suspension parts? I was thinking about putting in rebuilt swivel axels
($429.95 from Proper MG) and new front springs and bushings anyway, so if
that's what I need to fix this problem, I won't be too unhappy.
>
> With the plugged venting system, what's the best way to test for that?
I've been smelling fuel odors when I drive, so maybe it's connected somehow.
I had redone the carbon cannisters not too long ago, but there might be
something plugged somewhere.
>
> At least I can drive the car for 60 days without worrying about being
pulled over; the old sticker expired in September, but the car wasn't
running then. I've been driving it while my wife's car is in the shop, and
it's not too bad with the snow coming in the windows (when I decided that I
didn't need to fix the heater, I forgot that I wouldn't have a defroster
either). I just wish I had installed the radio. Good thing spring is
coming.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --Steve Shoyer (1980 MGB, garage only 9 months away!)
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