No Longer Defective...

[GoldRover]

I'm sure many have similar stories, but this was a first for me....

Due to the cost of annual vehicle registration for my 1981 Series III 109, which was actually more than my wife's 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser, I did some inquiry to find out why. Since, as a 2dr hardtop, it was classified as a 3-seater, the wonderful govt of Australia naturally assumed it was used for "goods carrying" and therefore thought I could pay a lot more for the privilege of driving on their wonderful roads.
When I bought it a few months back, the fellow I bought it from threw in a pair of rear seats for it. I installed them and added seat belts (with large backing plates). Everything was fairly simple and done correctly so as to be as safe as those rear, inward facing seats can be, however little that is. Anyway, I was told that, to have the vehicle re-registered as a 7-seater, I would have to take it to Transport SA (South Australia) for a "seating inspection". "Great!", I thought. Seems simple enough.
Hehe. That's where things turned ugly.
After paying the $72 inspection fee, I was told to pull it into the inspection bay. Before I could turn off the ignition, the ape (inspector) starts telling me "headlights... left signal... right signal... wipers... horn... The ape actually argues with me when asked if it is a Series 3a, I try to inform him it's a Series 3, they never made a 3a.
Immediately I get this sinking feeling as it becomes apparent they are going to inspect the entire vehicle. Forty grueling minutes later, they hand me a list with no less than 15 items which have each caused them to defect my Land Rover. Oh, the 5 seconds they (yes, 2 apes, now) spent actually looking at the new rear seats quickly passed with a thumbs up.
I couldn't believe some of the items which they figured make my vehicle unfit for the road. A couple of examples: Since it's a 1981 model, it should have a non-vented oil filler cap vs. the vented one I had on it. Never mind that the Holden 6-cylinder engine in it is a 1970 model and had the original vented oil filler cap. (More on that later). Also, it had a couple of places where it leaks a drop or two of oil. IT'S A LAND ROVER FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! They ALL Leak!!! They also thought the hood latches, installed externally because the 6-cyl swap took away the original latch mechanism, had sharp edges and posed a hazard. Once again, IT'S A LAND ROVER! Every part of this thing is a sharp edge!
Anyway, I tried to just smile and be agreeable and hopefully it would all be over soon.
They slap the big DEFECTIVE VEHICLE sticker on the windshield and inform me I am only allowed to drive it from there to the place of repairs.
To their credit, they had noticed that my registration also expired that same day (pure coincidence, as the inspection appointment was made over a month prior). I was aware of this and was going to make that my next stop. He tells me, I should immediately afterwards go get in line and get it re-registered before the paperwork reaches the front counter, or else I won't be able to until after all necessary repairs have been made and it has passed reinspection. Nice apes.
To make a long story short (too late), $772 and 2 weeks in the shop later, I'm back on the road in my compliance-plated 7-seater.
I still don't know exactly how much this will "save" me when it comes time to renew the registration.

A follow-up: The Non-vented oil filler cap caused undue pressure in the engine crankcase which, in one day, left more oil on my driveway than the previous 4 months.
It, once again, has a vented cap and (no more oil leaks).
To anyone who has endured a similar experience (thank you sir, may I have another...), my condolences. Lesson learned? NEVER, and I mean NEVER, unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, go near the government inspection office, EVER.
Sorry about my rambling, but it hurt too much to keep it in.

Happily chugging along again,
George

[TerryS]

Unless you also have a non-return valve (PCV Valve) attached to the intake manifold, drawing from the crackcase, you would not want to use a non-vented cap. Vented caps are only used on pre PCV engines.

[GoldRover]

Yes, well you know that, and I know that, but the apes haven't been taught that bit yet. Their little rule book says if the vehicle is manufactured after a certain date these rules apply. They didn't, however, take into account when the engine was manufactured. This is a pre-PCV setup.
Also, the replacement hood latches they required (you know the rubber handle that pulls up over a metal bracket type found in any auto parts store) don't hold the hood (bonnet, sorry) down as securely as what was on it. AND, as far as I can see, the new ones have just as much of a sharp edge as the old ones. Now, anywhere above 80km/hr, one front corner of the bonnet kinda floats up and bounces. I understand the need for rules, but to force someone to change to a lower standard just because what's there isn't in their book is just plain dumb.
Sorry, more ranting.

I didn't realize how much I like having the old Land Rover around, until it was gone for a couple weeks. Good to have it back!

George

[Greg S]

I got pulled over at a suprise truck inspection stop when the traffic cop noticed I had a brake light out. I got cited with 3-strikes-you'r-out because of the aforementioned light, fresh oil on a front swivel and, due to an over heating problem by a motor in the process of blowing up and trying to keep it as cool as possible, the hood (bonnet to you foriegners) was strapped to the roof instead of being in it's proper place between the two front fenders.

After getting home and replacing the motor I still had to go through the Gov't inspection. I studied hard to make sure I would pass the requirements. I would fail if the floor mats or seat fabric were torn or if the door seals were torn, missing, or not sealing the door properly. BUT, (ready for it?) I would still pass if the original brake light was still burnt out. ---That would be the brake light I replaced while the original inspectors were still crawling under my Land Rover checking the oil leak. While they were doing the original inspection, I also put the bonnet back in place. They didn't care, gave me the check-up ticket anyway. Motor blew up just a few miles down the road, with the hood (bonnet) properly in place. A 250-mile tow home followed the next day.