Failed NCT for brake wheel unit leak

Amouar

Hi,

I just had my NCT this morning and the tester failed the car on the brake test for leaking. When I asked for more details, he said that the Offside rear brake wheel unit was not properly closed when the brake fluid was bled during the brake fluid change.

I challenged this as the brake fluid was changed last September in a Peugeot main dealer, and the brake fluid is still at the max level since then. He insisted that it's leaking, he said that it was a slow leak even if the level is still at max.

Peugeot claims that they provide 12 months warranty on labour and parts. I will call the Peugeot dealership tomorrow morning and ask them to fix it under the labour warranty, but I'm afraid that they will have none of it, especially that the brake fluid level is still at max. I think that they should also cover for the NCT retest fee, but I wouldn't go that far.

What do you guys think?

Henry Ford III

Tighten it. Clean off any fluid. Retest.

Spook_ie

Amouar wrote: »

Hi,

I just had my NCT this morning and the tester failed the car on the brake test for leaking. When I asked for more details, he said that the Offside rear brake wheel unit was not properly closed when the brake fluid was bled during the brake fluid change.

I challenged this as the brake fluid was changed last September in a Peugeot main dealer, and the brake fluid is still at the max level since then. He insisted that it's leaking, he said that it was a slow leak even if the level is still at max.

Peugeot claims that all they provide 12 months warranty on labour and parts. I will call the Peugeot dealership tomorrow morning and ask them to fix it under the labour warranty, but I'm afraid that they will have none of it, especially that the brake fluid level is still at max. I think that they should also cover for the NCT retest fee, but I wouldn't go that far.

What do you guys think?

It is possible that the mechanic never wiped the area clean and dry after bleeding, however, if there is a leak then they should fix it.

khaldrogo

I very much doubt the bleed screw is loose. It is much more likely that the wheel cylinder is leaking inside the drum.

Amouar

I very much doubt the bleed screw is loose. It is much more likely that the wheel cylinder is leaking inside the drum.

Could this means that this is not caused by the last brake fluid change, or is this leak something that the leadership is responsible for?

Here is what they mention in the NCT report

Amouar

I have another question: Are such leaks supposed to be noticed during the car service? I'm asking because I decided to go for NCT before my service as it's due in August and the NCT certificate is valid until end of August. I just thought that's it might be better to go for NCT first in order to know what exactly needs to be repaired when going for service, instead of doing the service, NCT and then going back to the garage to fix any issues.

If I go for service now instead of end of August, are such repairs/fixes done for free as part of the minor service or would they charge extra (if done in a separate dealership from the one that did the brake fluid change)? If so i'd rather want the dealership to repair it under warranty.

What do you guys think?

mickdw

If its a loose bleed screw, it's a quick fix. It should be very clear where the fluid is coming from and one journey will burn off any spilled fluid once the leak is stopped.

Amouar

Update: Went back to the main dealer who replaced the brake fluid last September with the NCT fail sheet, they agreed to take a look free of charge. They checked the back wheel braking system that was flagged as leaking by NCT, and they said that there was only some small dampness and no actual leaking. They just rebled the brake fluid and cleaned up the area.

My question: Since there was actually no leak ( this also makes sense as the brake fluid level is still at max since last September), should I complain to the NCT that they shouldn't have failed the car? Or just the fact that there is dampness is enough to justify the fail?

Henry Ford III

I wouldn't waste the energy.

Amouar

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I wouldn't waste the energy.

Why not? Can they fail a car just because of dampness? I remember seeing the NCT mechanic spending several minutes on that specific wheel, shaking it and probably trying to see if it's going to leak. Apparently it didn't but he still decided to fail the car.

Henry Ford III

Your call. I wouldn't bother

Markcheese

Amouar wrote: »

Why not? Can they fail a car just because of dampness? I remember seeing the NCT mechanic spending several minutes on that specific wheel, shaking it and probably trying to see if it's going to leak. Apparently it didn't but he still decided to fail the car.

I suppose an nct tester sees dampness around a bleed screw he's got to make a call, he can't sit there watching it for a week.. So he gets you to come back for a retest..
How much is a retest? (is it classed as a visual test? )

kadman

Its a visual, so the tester makes the call, based on what he sees.

He sees dampness, and that signifies a possible leak. Proper call.

barneygumble99

kadman wrote: »

Its a visual, so the tester makes the call, based on what he sees.

He sees dampness, and that signifies a possible leak. Proper call.

Exactly, if there’s dampness or sweating around a brake component, it’s leaking.

Amouar

Markcheese wrote: »

Amouar wrote: »

Why not? Can they fail a car just because of dampness? I remember seeing the NCT mechanic spending several minutes on that specific wheel, shaking it and probably trying to see if it's going to leak. Apparently it didn't but he still decided to fail the car.

I suppose an nct tester sees dampness around a bleed screw he's got to make a call, he can't sit there watching it for a week.. So he gets you to come back for a retest..
How much is a retest? (is it classed as a visual test? )

Makes sense. The retest is 28 euros.

Amouar

Markcheese wrote: »

Amouar wrote: »

Why not? Can they fail a car just because of dampness? I remember seeing the NCT mechanic spending several minutes on that specific wheel, shaking it and probably trying to see if it's going to leak. Apparently it didn't but he still decided to fail the car.

I suppose an nct tester sees dampness around a bleed screw he's got to make a call, he can't sit there watching it for a week.. So he gets you to come back for a retest..
How much is a retest? (is it classed as a visual test? )

Makes sense. The retest is 28 euros as for some reason he wants to repeat the whole brake test instead of just visually inspecting the braking mechanism for leaks (see my nct fail sheet in one of my posts above)

_Brian

Amouar wrote: »

Update: Went back to the main dealer who replaced the brake fluid last September with the NCT fail sheet, they agreed to take a look free of charge. They checked the back wheel braking system that was flagged as leaking by NCT, and they said that there was only some small dampness and no actual leaking. They just rebled the brake fluid and cleaned up the area.

My question: Since there was actually no leak ( this also makes sense as the brake fluid level is still at max since last September), should I complain to the NCT that they shouldn't have failed the car? Or just the fact that there is dampness is enough to justify the fail?

Dampness indicates a tiny leak or weep, why else would it be damp.

Just make sure it’s dry and have it retested.

There’s nothing to be gained from bumping heads with the NCT crew.

Just have it retested.

Amouar

_Brian wrote: »

Dampness indicates a tiny leak or weep, why else would it be damp.

Just make sure it’s dry and have it retested.

There’s nothing to be gained from bumping heads with the NCT crew.

Just have it retested.

Looks like the dampness is due to the fact that the mechanic didn't properly wipe the area clean when he last changed the brake fluid.

barneygumble99

Amouar wrote: »

Looks like the dampness is due to the fact that the mechanic didn't properly wipe the area clean when he last changed the brake fluid.

Since last September ??

Amouar

barneygumble99 wrote: »

Since last September ??

That's what I was told. Is that possible? If not then maybe there was actually a small leak (despite the fluid level still at max?) and the main dealer didn't tell me.

_Brian

Amouar wrote: »

That's what I was told. Is that possible? If not then maybe there was actually a small leak (despite the fluid level still at max?) and the main dealer didn't tell me.

Think of all the dirt and crap you’ve driven over, puddles and muck.

Anything from that time is long gone.

There was a tiny leak from the site and this it was kept damp all the time.

Just clean it and retest

Amouar

Car passed the retest this evening.

But before that I noticed that the tester was testing the lights, opened the bonnet and plugged the smoke sensor to the car's exhaust therefore I thought that he was going to do a full test again. Went to talk to him in order to double check if he is doing a retest or a full test but he started shouting at me and claimed that he only opened the bonnet to check the VIN number and that I shouldn't tell him what to do. I understand that this is probably a tiring job therefore it's easy for the tester to get upset, so I decided to not mention that I saw him checking the lights and attaching the smoke sensor to the car's exhaust and walked away. (Btw, is this part of all car retests regardless of what made the car fail? Genuine question as it's my first time going to the NCT).

I went back to the watching room and saw him driving to the brake test area. It took him 5 minutes to recheck the brakes and passed the car.

dkd21

That is the usual pre checks for a full test . The tester doesn't know if its a retest or full test until logging onto the computer or unless they are told by admin or by a visual telltale on the car (post-it in the window) . Nothing to be worried about

Retested cars are only checked for previous failures , items relating to those failures (eg: wheel nut missing after changing brakes ) or obvious dangerous defects