Oil
Long, long ago when I was young, I had a spare sunny summer to fill, and a Triumph Dolomite Sprint whose engine had seen better days. So I set about tearing the engine apart and replacing all it's bearings and pistons. Before removing the engine I took out the dashboard and left the speedo, oil pressure gauge and rev counter hanging. The job went well, and within a month I had got it back together again. A bit like Lego, car engines are really. My brother helped me lift the engine back into place, and I was feeling pretty confident as I removed my overalls, sat in the driver's seat and put the key in the ignition, despite the small pile of nuts and bolts that I could not find a home for. A small crowd of neighbours gathered round to observe the grand firing up ceremony.
I turned the key. The solenoid engaged sending a rush of amps into the starter motor. The engine started turning. And just then I noticed the funny pipe pointing at me. A pipe that pumped half a pint of oil all over my face. I'd forgotten to connect the oil gauge, much to the amusement of all the bystanders. I would have laughed myself, but I had a face full of oil!
(lazyman, Mon 25 Jan 2010, 1:38, Reply)