Hydraulic system Pressure Test In M.O.T ???

Nomad · Unread post by **Nomad** » 10 Feb 2006, 19:53

Hi All

This is just a quick question about MOT's

Yesterday i got my Xantia MOT'ed (it passed with no problem

) and the inspector connected a pressure gauge to some part of the Hydraulic system under the bonnet.
I asked him what he was doing, and he said "that they had to check the hydraulic system pressure on Citroen's as part of the MOT"

OK that does make a lot of sense to me, as so much depends on it.

I am just wondering if it is the same in England or any other country as it is here in Germany.

Tony

Mandrake · Unread post by **Mandrake** » 10 Feb 2006, 20:08

Where did he connect it ???

Although the idea of testing the pressure is good in principle, it can't be done without "disturbing" the hydraulic piping, and potentially causing leaks if they aren't careful about refitting the pipes just right.

In particular the large pipes coming off the regulator on some models use flanged type connectors without seals and they are quite fussy about the exact alignment of the pipe to prevent it leaking...

Here in New Zealand the MOT have absolutely *NO* idea about Citroen's..... some (but not all) stations will still even fail the rear brakes on an unloaded Citroen due to the automatic brake compensation, let alone do any Citroen specific tests...

Regards,
Simon

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 10 Feb 2006, 20:28

Its not part of the test that I've ever heard of before!! If the system isn't pressurised, then the brakes and suspension won't work, and it'll fail on that but that would be obvious without the need for pressure testing, and the accumulator would be clicking like mad if pressure is very low anyway.

Testers are not allowed to dismantle anything, so where he connected it to, goodness knows.

If, for example, you have a fancy exhaust trim and the tester can't get the emissions probe in, then he has to fail the car on emissions as he's not permitted to remove the trim, even though it may only push on.......

Nomad · Unread post by **Nomad** » 10 Feb 2006, 20:39

Hi

I'm not sure exactly where he fitted it, all i can say is it was to-wards the front middle of the engine bay. It only took him a minuet to do it.
I will have a look see tomorrow and see i can see where he connected it to.

Tony

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 10 Feb 2006, 20:49

If he only took a minute to do it - there are 2 options :

1) later hydraulic Citroens sold in Germany have a special connector or pressure gauge fitted - not found in other countries.
2) he did not test the pressure - he just looked for any signs of leaks. Because opening a pressure line, inserting a Tee-piece, read off the pressure and clean up again the mess - would take at least some 15-20min's. There is no provision to read off the pressure on standard road Citroens.

Never heard about in UK, DK, Sweden, Norway or Finland.

You're sure you did not mis-understood what the tester told you ?

Homer · Unread post by **Homer** » 11 Feb 2006, 07:24

AndersDK wrote:If he only took a minute to do it - there are 2 options :

1) later hydraulic Citroens sold in Germany have a special connector or pressure gauge fitted - not found in other countries.

Seems the authorities in Germany have less of a clue about Citroen Mechanicals than Citroen dealers do.

NiSk · Unread post by **NiSk** » 11 Feb 2006, 10:17

Hej Anders -

What do you mean by "later" Citroëns?

My '98 XM TD2.5 was originally sold in Germany. Where would I find this connector (if it's got one)?

//NiSk

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 11 Feb 2006, 11:39

NiSk wrote:Hej Anders -

What do you mean by "later" Citroëns?

My '98 XM TD2.5 was originally sold in Germany. Where would I find this connector (if it's got one)?

//NiSk

Thats exactly my question ! - as I've never heard of such things before 8)
Your german "born" '98 definately does not have such a "device" - and I think Tony is referring to something else.

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 11 Feb 2006, 22:24

A pressure gauge is not needed to test the system anyway if its working properly as the regulator does the job for you by ticking occasionally!

Its certainly not a requirement for the UK MOT test.