Corroded Pipes

[Hillsie]

Hi,

I have just bought a 1991 230TE Estate which has the MOT Advisory Items (The MOT was done in January)

Rear Fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded but not seriously weakened
Rear (both rear) Brake pipe slightly corroded
Rear fuel pipes slightly corroded

Should I be worried in the short term and are these expensive jobs to fix?

Thanks

Matt

 

[SilverSaloon]

Difficult to say without seeing it, but as its only gone as an advisary, i wouldnt worry too much. if they were really bad it would fail.

in your shoes, i'd clean them up with some grit paper and put some waxoil on them. maybe look at replacing the brake pipes as if these leak it can be dangerous, but the rest, if not leaking can wait IMHO. if you treat them then they should last years to come if its just surface corrosion.

to replace all the pipes the rear subframe needs to come off and its a major headache for the suspension pipes. i'd just treat them personally.

 

[Hillsie]

Thanks for the quick response.

The only way that I've got of getting underneath the car is the jack so I'm not sure I'd be able to do the above. How much do you think a garage would charge to just tidy up the pipes and possibly replace the brake pipe?

cheers

 

[umedc]

hi it cost me 880 sweets notes on mine s 55 amg as the rear sub frame as to come off to replace all pipes

 

[johnsco]

I had the same problem with a 230TE estate.
The suspension pipes are a real pain.
As advised ... buff them up with a light abrasive (nothing technical required).
Then waxoyl them.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Thanks for the quick response.

The only way that I've got of getting underneath the car is the jack so I'm not sure I'd be able to do the above. How much do you think a garage would charge to just tidy up the pipes and possibly replace the brake pipe?

cheers

hi

not sure how much a garage would charge, but if you keep to the small local places then it shouldnt be a great deal, especially to sand and spray some waxoil on (literally takes 10 mins for all pipes).

 

[Hillsie]

Hi,

I got back to the seller and asked about the MOT advisory's and he responded:


'Regarding the fuel, brake and suspension pipes,these were all replaced'

He seems like an honest bloke and the car is in great condition having being regularly serviced and oil changes every 4,000 miles. I'm hoping that I got myself a bargain for £900!

Only time will tell.....

Thanks for all the advice

 

[SilverSaloon]

Looks nice. if he has replaced just because of advisaries then the car must have been well looked after, especially those pipes as its a headache to do so will of costed some to get the subframe removed and the pipes replaced. it maybe worth checking that they have been replaced properly (if at all) when you get it.

 

[Raconteur]

Just replaced the rear SLS suspension spheres and pipes on my 230te.
The pipes were £53 each from MERC.

As far as I am aware, unavailable anywhere else....If its got to be done, do it properly.

 

[bolide]

Steel pipes will always have surface rust once the protective coating's worn away. You'll have those advisories every year with an estate - it seems to be a default advisory in every MOT station

Don't be complacent about it but don't panic over an advisory. Clean the pipes up with a Scotchbrite, grease them and leave them for another year

Nick Froome

 

[Mike Walker]

I had a similar advisory on my 190 - rusty springs. What do people expect on a car that is 24 years old I wonder?