MOT is looming....

martw80888

martw80888

Club Member
May 25, 2015
2,168
3,710
Poole, Dorset
I had a chat with my boss, I wanted to know if he could recommend a garage close to work where I could get my Coug tested next month. Turns out that his son runs a local garage and he would be happy to give it a quick pre-test inspection. Went there today, got it up on a ramp, had a good look underneath, and I was pleasantly surprised - there's some surface rust under there but no real rot, the brake pipes are a bit rusty but not too serious and there's some play in the trailing arm bushes at the rear. Other than that, it looks alright. I'm cautiously optimistic that she'll get through without too much drama - not bad for a 17-year-old Ford! :)
 
Hope you get a pass (y)

After flying though my last two MOTS on the Cougar I think as long as you take care of your car thoughout the year and do all regular maintiance etc theres not a whole lot to worry about
 
I thought this was a punny post, and slightly disappointed it isn't, although I hope it goes without saying I wouldn't wish loom issues on anyone, ever. :D

Good on you Mart. (y)
 
Hmmm, so I took it for the test and.... it failed :(

Nothing too serious though, a little "excessive corrosion" on the offside front sill (the one corner which didn't need welding last year). Should be getting it welded up and retested in the next couple of days, then all will be well.
 
We use salt on our roads, so it's kind of inevitable.

I've been where you are - and will be again because Tiger needs some welding in the next 6 months - but I hope you can get this done.

How bad was it? Do you have pics?
 
All the cool people have needed welding mate don't worry about it. Just make sure you inject the sills with some decent rustkiller when its done.
 
No pics, sorry. I know it's nothing too horrific, when I was under it the other week it didn't look too bad (no big holes or anything). Pretty confident it'll be easily sorted.
 
martw80888 said:
No pics, sorry. I know it's nothing too horrific, when I was under it the other week it didn't look too bad (no big holes or anything). Pretty confident it'll be easily sorted.
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Cut away as much rotten skinny metal as you dare, get it back to thicker metal and it will be a better stronger weld and you wont be patching the edges of your patch in two years time, make sure the rot is cut out not just patched over. On my sill fronts I cut it out down to the folded floor seam and the 90 degree bend where it goes into the door way.
 
backseateducation said:
All the cool people have needed welding mate don't worry about it. Just make sure you inject the sills with some decent rustkiller when its done.
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heh that makes you super cool then matt(y)

there arnt many cougs about now that are used often and don't need a patch or two...i hate driving melina when they have just put the salt down..not just because its highly corrosive but also because of the mess it makes to the paint..
when they've done the welding...as matt says get some rustkiller INSIDE the sills as most garages only brush seal underneath and its from the inside of box sections that cougs are most threatened.
 
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