NCT - slight flat spot on brake hose, not sure how NCT manual applies

phatony

Hi,

The ABS sensor cable was misrouted so as to rub a slight flat spot in the flexible brake hose outer covering (but not exposing core) - failed for fouling brake hose (a failure which to my mind normally means serious contact with a moving mechanical part).

Rerouted the ABS cable easily. It has been misrouted for over six years since before I owned the car and was not picked up on previous tests.

The NCT manual suggests that "A flexible brake hose should only be considered a reason for failure when the reinforcement material / cord is exposed under examination."

There is a slight flat spot to be felt where they were making contact, but the internal white core is not exposed. It does not bulge under pressure. The parallel lines that run along the hose to show whether hose is twisted or straight, are rubbed off on a very small patch that size of my little finger tip on one side, and that is it.

I couldn't get a clear answer on this point from the first tester - he got a bit grumpy/thick when I tried to ask him about it, no idea why. Maybe because I said car had only been driven 4k miles since last pass.

The retest is going to be in a different NCT center.

To my mind it was caught in time. In practice, is there a real risk they would fail the hose for this? The actual fouling is eliminated.

10-10-20

For your own sanity and safety, I'd just replace it.

I had hoses fail in the past from old age and cause the brakes to drag/stick. It's a pox to diagnose but an easy fix. I'd just do it now.

phatony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353165#Comment_120353165

It's really not justified, not a worry. Only chicken little would replace it. What I need to hear from are people who might be able to predict NCT tester atititude on it given that rules seems to suggest it should pass. Someone in a similar situation who has done test and passed/failed etc....

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353165#Comment_120353165

This, I'd fail it if I was a tester.

phatony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353350#Comment_120353350

But you're not, so no conclusions yet.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353617#Comment_120353617

If in the garage, I seen a brake pipe damaged in any way I'd mark it as needing replacing and inform the owner it may fail the nct.

It may be missed in the test or not. The tester may think nothing of it or not.

Either way it sounds like your just not gonna accept that it could (and should) fail.

Someone might come along and tell you what you want to hear, then if it fails you can argue "but the man on boards said it'd pass!"

phatony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353725#Comment_120353725

You're not a psychologist either. What I'm looking for is not opinions but hard examples where a pipe had superficial damage not extending to an exposed core as described in the manual, and what the outcomes were in those cases only. I'm sure you have no problem covering yourself by marking the least little thing as requiring replacement - but that is nothing to do with what I am asking. Your comments aren't about my situation, they are about you and how wonderfully superior you are. Gosh' don't you wish you were you?

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353896#Comment_120353896

You're aware of the horrible inconsistencies of the nct right?

A tester may fail it, in that case deal with it.

If you want a psychological breakdown of whatever tester you may have on the day, I can't help you.

Here's something for you anyway

"Yep that will 100% pass"

Print that and bring it with you.

I think with your attitude you probably wont have many more offering you advice. Just stick it through the test and replace the brake pipe if it fails.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353182#Comment_120353182

How is anyone on here supposed to predict a complete strangers attitude? Just because one person says they passed on here it doesn’t mean you will

Viscount Aggro

I had a car failed NCT.. tester came rushing towards with a sadistic grin... big, big fail.

Red circles everywhere.

Oops!

The pipes structure has been compromised, nobody can see inside it or its structure... What happens some day when you brake hard and the pedal goes straight to floor because the point on that pipe that had flattened before swells like a balloon? Forget about the book. I dont work for the NCT but with 24 years experience in the motor trade i'm fully qualified to give you this opinion.

Neilw

A qualified mechanic, probably with years for experience found a brake hose with damage due to contact with another part.

Based on his experience he marked it as a fail, I would trust his judgment over what’s written in the manual.

OP, don’t be cheap and replace the hose.

BrianD3

Based on my reading of the NCT manual and the description in the OP, this would not be a fail or even close to a fail. The manual is the Bible here and the NCTS have clearly tried to make the assessment of flexible brake hoses as objective as possible e.g with the statement about the core being exposed.

Not much point asking about it on boards though given the amount of posters looking to scold anyone perceived to be acting dangerously or "getting one over" on the herd . Same can be seen here anytime tyres are discussed - lectures about ditchfinders and so on.