NCT tester left oil cap off...

redser7

Hi folks,

Can anyone tell me if part of the NCT test would involve removing the oil cap? We had our car tested on Sunday morning. I noticed a strong oil smell this morning when I arrived at work. Asked my wife if she had noticed it as she was driving it yesterday and she said defo, she had to open the window. I popped the bonnet and the oil cap was sitting on the engine block. The entire engine and bonnet is covered in oil. When I stepped back it was only then that I noticed the whole front grill and bumper is pouring with oil. We both made journeys on the M1 since Sunday. No doubt there was a danger of fire or the engine being ruined. There was barely a drop left when I checked the dip stick.
I'm positive I replaced the cap on Saturday when I topped up the oil. I can remember being careful not to over-tighten it. Besides, if it was me who left it off the tester surely would have spotted it when he popped the bonnet.
Any thoughts or opinions?
Cheers

biko

What car is it? Petrol or diesel?
For a diesel car the nct manual states "Engine Oil Level Ok?" before smoke test.

I have only ever had petrols and am fairly sure the oil level is not checked for them.

redser7

Cheers. It's a petrol engine. They could check the level with the dip stick so I'm wondering if there is any reason why they would screw the cap off?

grogi

redser7 wrote: »

if there is any reason why they would screw the cap off?

No, but it is not the first case of it being asked on boards...

PrettyBoy

I feel like I've read the original post (almost word-for-word) here before.

Yawns

PrettyBoy wrote: »

I feel like I've read the original post (almost word-for-word) here before.

This...

I can remember this word for word. The last guy had driven it since the NCT was done on the weekend too...

redser7

PrettyBoy wrote: »

I feel like I've read the original post (almost word-for-word) here before.

Well that would be an amazing coincidence then. It is exactly what happened.

grogi

Yawns wrote: »

This...

I can remember this word for word. The last guy had driven it since the NCT was done on the weekend too...

The previous one was a bit longer...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057652365

redser7

Yawns wrote: »

This...

I can remember this word for word. The last guy had driven it since the NCT was done on the weekend too...

And your point is what? Can you link to that post, would be interested to read what people had to say.

Yawns

Found the other thread. Thought it was a lot older than that.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057652365

Yawns

No point other than it sounded really really similar. The NCT don't need to take this cap off so I dunno why we now have 2 threads on boards about it. On the other thread another poster claimed the same thing so 3 counts of it so far when it's not needed to come off.

biko

biko wrote: »

What car is it? Petrol or diesel?
For a diesel car the nct manual states "Engine Oil Level Ok?" before smoke test.

I have only ever had petrols and am fairly sure the oil level is not checked for them.

You typically don't check engine oil level by removing the oil cap.

The oil level is of course checked for both petrols and diesels in the test.

Yawns

The general summary from the other thread was NCT will deny it most likely and you'll have a hell of a job proving it was them after driving the car for a while.

redser7

Yawns wrote: »

Found the other thread. Thought it was a lot older than that.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057652365

My god, it is word for word! Not. Bonnet wasn't touched from when the mechanic shut it on Sunday morning until I opened it this morning.

But thanks for the link, it essentially answers my question. There will be no liability admitted but thankfully no harm was done. Clean it up and move on.

Yawns

Ok it's not word for word when re-reading it but thinking back 6 months the basic story is the same. So much so I wasn't the only one who thought it and posted it. It's a fair enough cop.

You say you didn't touch the bonnet but you did drive it twice on the M1. I believe you, you don't need to convince me. It's the NCT you need to be ringing and saying this too. They will most likely deny they ever touched the cap tho tbh.

emo72

Well the obvious question we need to ask is, is it the same test centre?

redser7

Yawns wrote: »

Ok it's not word for word when re-reading it but thinking back 6 months the basic story is the same. So much so I wasn't the only one who thought it and posted it. It's a fair enough cop.

You say you didn't touch the bonnet but you did drive it twice on the M1. I believe you, you don't need to convince me. It's the NCT you need to be ringing and saying this too. They will most likely deny they ever touched the cap tho tbh.

I agree although I wonder do they have cameras over the bays? Perhaps if there was damage and cost involved I would pursue it but we seem to have gotten away with it, just about. Cheers

redser7

emo72 wrote: »

Well the obvious question we need to ask is, is it the same test centre?

Northpoint 1

Yawns

I'm assuming you've since topped the oil up and the engine is hopefuly running ok. It will be hard to get them to admit it was them and what redress you want from them. Do you want them to pay to have it checked out and cleaned up. There are companies that will clean the engine bay etc and remove the oil from bumpers

Yawns

I don't think they have cameras. Best bet would be to pop in and have a chat with whoever is in charge and show them the photos. Bring the test sheet to show it was in with them. If the car is ok, I'd try to get them to foor the cleaning bill at least. It won't be an easy or quick job to remove that oil from everywhere.

H3llR4iser

redser7 wrote: »

My god, it is word for word! Not. Bonnet wasn't touched from when the mechanic shut it on Sunday morning until I opened it this morning.

But thanks for the link, it essentially answers my question. There will be no liability admitted but thankfully no harm was done. Clean it up and move on.

Not exactly word for word, but the main points are the same; I had the exact same feeling - "I have read this post months ago!". Call it a textbook case of the "Mandela effect" - memory playing tricks on us and making us remember something differently than it was.

About the car, good that there was no damage done; At this point, considering that you remember clearly putting the cap back on and the other poster's experience as well, we have to assume there are a percentage of NCT testers who basically don't know what they are doing. I've seen it on my last NCT as well - I had to go in for a retest due to a broken spring; Even 'though the guy doing the test had the sheet et all, he started doing a complete test until somebody else pointed out he'd need to do the "rolling road" and visual inspection only...

redser7

Yawns wrote: »

I'm assuming you've since topped the oil up and the engine is hopefuly running ok. It will be hard to get them to admit it was them and what redress you want from them. Do you want them to pay to have it checked out and cleaned up. There are companies that will clean the engine bay etc and remove the oil from bumpers

Yes, oil topped up. I'll just give it a scrub with some degreaser and move on, I could do without the stress of arguing a point I wont win. Pity about the oil stains on my new jeans though!!!

Yawns

So I rang the NCT Customer Service and it was the most ridiculous talk I ever had with any Customer Service - they beat Eircom and Vodafone!
The lady on the phone listened to me, and when I got to the point about oil cap, she interrupted me by saying: it wasn't us, we don't test the oil cap. She didn't ask for my name, she didn't ask for the car model/engine type, she didn't ask what NCT Center it was tested, she didn't ask ANY details. She said that if I think it was NCT fault, then I should send them an email to info@ncts.ie - and they'll reply within 3 working days.

That's a quote from the other thread, I'd imagine you'll meet the same response if you try ringing them. If it was me in your shoes, I'd push for cleaning bill. You'll be hours at it with degreaser and still not get all of it most likely.

redser7

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Not exactly word for word, but the main points are the same; I had the exact same feeling - "I have read this post months ago!". Call it a textbook case of the "Mandela effect" - memory playing tricks on us and making us remember something differently than it was.

About the car, good that there was no damage done; At this point, considering that you remember clearly putting the cap back on and the other poster's experience as well, we have to assume there are a percentage of NCT testers who basically don't know what they are doing. I've seen it on my last NCT as well - I had to go in for a retest due to a broken spring; Even 'though the guy doing the test had the sheet et all, he started doing a complete test until somebody else pointed out he'd need to do the "rolling road" and visual inspection only...

I'm not a regular on here so didn't know about that other case. I thought someone was suggesting something untoward - apologies!

One idea I had was that perhaps he was checking for scum or foam inside the opening. I had a problem with a previous car that caused that. This car is a 98 Micra and they do seem to really put it through its paces at the tests. But she comes through every time

Yawns

Yawns wrote: »

That's a quote from the other thread, I'd imagine you'll meet the same response if you try ringing them. If it was me in your shoes, I'd push for cleaning bill. You'll be hours at it with degreaser and still not get all of it most likely.

^^^^^^^^^^

an ole paint brush to agitate and a hose, job done

zilog_jones

As others have said it will be very hard to prove who was at fault, so I'm not sure there's much point in going back to them.

It's always best to check these things after anyone's touched the engine, but it's easier said than done. I found a spanner underneath the bonnet of my car after getting some work done before - nobody's perfect

I guess the NCT tester could have checked for some evidence of oil under the cap, as the dipstick is not particularly useful if the engine has just been running.

redser7

zilog_jones wrote: »

As others have said it will be very hard to prove who was at fault, so I'm not sure there's much point in going back to them.

It's always best to check these things after anyone's touched the engine, but it's easier said than done. I found a spanner underneath the bonnet of my car after getting some work done before - nobody's perfect

I guess the NCT tester could have checked for some evidence of oil under the cap, as the dipstick is not particularly useful if the engine has just been running.

And he happened to be a really nice guy. Sh*t happens. Of course if the engine had blown I wouldn't be so understanding!

Atlantic Dawn

I might photo my engine bay before I set off for the next NCT, they could still argue with me that it doesn't prove anything but at least I would know it was on it when it went in.

MetzgerMeister

The thing to do is open the bonnet once you're handed back the keys after the test is done and ensure all is OK. Coming back a few days alter and trying to pin the blame on them whether they are at fault or not isn't going to bounce at all. Anyone could have been at the car since then and proving this is impossible.

Yawns

Well after reading 3 counts of it now, I'll be damn sure to be checking mine in September. It's not needed tho so why the hell are they doing it.

redser7

I guess the only hope is if they have cameras, as much to defend their own good work as to prove a mistake is made.

cruizer101

When I saw thread title I thought, oh wonder who is dragging this thread up did it happen to someone else. Read first post and was convinced the OP of other thread was posting again for some reason, very similar stories.

Feel sorry for you OP its a messy job to clean but yeah doubt there is much you can do, have my own NCT this evening in Northpoint and will definitely be checking after

hmmm

redser7 wrote: »

I'm positive I replaced the cap on Saturday when I topped up the oil. I can remember being careful not to over-tighten it. Besides, if it was me who left it off the tester surely would have spotted it when he popped the bonnet.

On the balance of probabilities I'd say you didn't put it back on properly and it flew off a few days later. It happens.

redser7

Nah no chance. It was sitting right where you see it in the photo. It's not going to casually twist itself off and place itself neatly down like that.

Kimbot

redser7 wrote: »

Nah no chance. It was sitting right where you see it in the photo. It's not going to casually twist itself off and place itself neatly down like that.

Well i wouldnt be too sure of that, depending on the clearance level between the cap and the bonnet (when closed) the engine vibrations could have loosened it and when you hit a bump it bounced out of place and kind of slid across to where it ended up cos its that slippy with the oil, and then with the lack of clearance it kind of just got stuck there. It would be very interesting to try replicate on an old banger tho to see how it would happen if the cap was slightly loose and you threw a camera in there to see what goes on during a drive.

redser7

That's a great idea, I'll get right on it. Will just go say goodbye to the wife and kids and report back in oh a gazillion years when that happenstance occurs.

aujopimur

Augeo wrote: »

You typically don't check engine oil level by removing the oil cap
Unless less it's a current Renault with a combined cap/dipstick

Cheensbo

quote="aujopimur;102916799"]UOTE=Augeo;102912073]You typically don't check engine oil level by removing the oil cap
Unless less it's a current Renault with a combined cap/dipstick[/quote

It's not a Renault though, it's a micra.

I've never seen the nct lads open an oil filler cap, see them check the dipstick on diesels alright before they give them hell..

I've (more than once) forgotten to replace the filler cap on a certain oil munching 4efe Toyota I had before - oil everywhere, some stink off it. i thought i remembered putting it back on each time that happened too...

punisher5112

Op on those you genuinely need to tighten well.

Nct wouldn't take off oil filler cap.

Vibrations can cause to loosen very quickly if not tightened right.

emo72

whats the point of checking dipsticks anyway at an nct test? the oil wouldnt have time to settle so you cant get an accurate reading?

Voodoomelon

Still don't buy that testers are taking oil caps off. Even it was a novice or recently qualified tester or whatever, there is zero need to go near the oil cap. Absolutely none at all. Even if the dipstick showed the car had no oil, they still wouldn't touch the oil cap.

In my view it's people not tightening it properly or leaving it off the day before the test.

mickdw

Surely the common denominator here is that owners will likely be topping up oil before the test. Considering that this cap needs to be disturbed to top up oil but not to carry out nct, logic would suggest that it is the owner that caused the issue by perhaps leaving the cap ever so slightly loose.

Toots

My oil filler cap has worked itself loose on two separate occasions now, both times resulting in my engine bay being covered in oil. Luckily it's never been on a long drive, and no damage done, but it can definitely happen. Both times it looked exactly like your picture OP - sitting nice and neatly in the engine bay. First time I went mental at my husband, because he'd had my car the previous day and I was convinced he'd been messing under the bonnet and left the cap off. Second time it happened, he was in America, so his alibi checked out :pac: I now make it a habit when I'm checking my oil/water every couple of weeks to make sure the cap is screwed down properly.

I wonder is it a case that the rattling and shaking the cars get on the NCT somehow works the caps loose, resulting in a few people having them come off a couple of days later?

demanufactured

Toots wrote: »

I wonder is it a case that the rattling and shaking the cars get on the NCT somehow works the caps loose, resulting in a few people having them come off a couple of days later?

Doubtful , the car gets more of a rattling on the road.