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Changed line(s) 32 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.
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* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping or destroy evidence, the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command the [[FasterThanLightTravel warp core drive]] is malfunctioning.
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Compare PlayingSick and ObfuscatingDisability for when a person does this for similar reasons. May be part of a HurricaneOfExcuses.
to:
Compare PlayingSick and ObfuscatingDisability for when a person does this for similar reasons. Compare FakeStatic for supposed difficulties with communication rather than transportation. May be part of a HurricaneOfExcuses.
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Not an example. Running out of gas is not faking engine trouble.
Changed line(s) 69,72 (click to see context) from:
* At the end of Side 1 of Music/SesameStreetSingAlong, Ernie's bus was almost out of gas, But luckily there was gas station near by. Ernie told everybody home to turn over the record while Ernie gets some gas for his bus.
-->'''Ernie''': While we stop by to get some gas, You at home can turn over the record. (Both Ernie and Bert laughs)
-->'''Ernie''': While we stop by to get some gas, You at home can turn over the record. (Both Ernie and Bert laughs)
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-->'''Ernie''': While we stop by to get some gas, You at home can turn over the record. (Both Ernie and Bert laughs)
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Changed line(s) 69 (click to see context) from:
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* At the end of Side 1 of Music/SesameStreetSingAlong, Ernie's bus was almost out of gas, But luckily there was gas station near by. Ernie told everybody home to turn over the record while Ernie gets some gas for his bus.
-->'''Ernie''': While we stop by to get some gas, You at home can turn over the record. (Both Ernie and Bert laughs)
-->'''Ernie''': While we stop by to get some gas, You at home can turn over the record. (Both Ernie and Bert laughs)
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Changed line(s) 61,62 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/{{Cannon}}'': In "Stone, Cold Dead", the KillerOfTheWeek does this: killing the engine on the boat and telling the girl he was giving a ride that 'the fuel pump died'. When the girl resist his romantic advances, she suffers DeathByFallingOver and becomes the VictimOfTheWeek.
to:
* ''Series/{{Cannon}}'': In "Stone, Cold Dead", the KillerOfTheWeek killer does this: killing the engine on the boat and telling the girl he was giving a ride that 'the fuel pump died'. When the girl resist resists his romantic advances, she suffers DeathByFallingOver and becomes the VictimOfTheWeek.
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* ''Series/{{Cannon}}'': In "Stone, Cold Dead", the KillerOfTheWeek does this: killing the engine on the boat and telling the girl he was giving a ride that 'the fuel pump died'. When the girl resist his romantic advances, she suffers DeathByFallingOver and becomes the VictimOfTheWeek.
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Changed line(s) 58 (click to see context) from:
* TheGreatestAmericanHero: In a number of episodes Bill would fake car trouble as a cover while Ralph goes into a situation inside the building.
to:
* TheGreatestAmericanHero: ''Series/TheGreatestAmericanHero'': In a number of episodes Bill would fake car trouble as a cover while Ralph goes into a situation inside the building.
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Changed line(s) 5 (click to see context) from:
'''Spock''': (looming over Scotty) Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock as ordered, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will ''never'' see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive '''again'''. \\
to:
'''Spock''': (looming over Scotty) Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock as ordered, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will ''never'' see the captain Captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive '''again'''. \\
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* In the episode "Dead Freight" of BreakingBad, this was done with a dump truck to get a train to stop so they could steal Methylamine from one of its cars without getting caught.
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* In the episode "Dead Freight" of BreakingBad, ''Series/BreakingBad'', this was done with a dump truck to get a train to stop so they could steal Methylamine from one of its cars without getting caught.
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Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
'''Spock''': (looming over Scotty) Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock as ordered, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again. \\
'''Scotty''': Could take weeks, sir.\\
'''Scotty''': Could take weeks, sir.\\
to:
'''Spock''': (looming over Scotty) Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock as ordered, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never ''never'' see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again.'''again'''. \\
'''Scotty''': '''Scotty''': ...Could take weeks, sir.\\
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Changed line(s) 48 (click to see context) from:
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* ''Literature/HonorHarrington'': In ''on Basilisk Station'', before HMS ''Fearless'' arrived at Basilisk, the Havenite freighter ''Sirius'' arrived and parked in orbit, claiming it was waiting for replacement parts for its Warshawski Sails. [[spoiler:It's actually a Havenite Q-ship, a warship disguised as a freighter, and it's monitoring the situation as a prelude to a Havenite invasion of the Basilisk system.]]
Changed line(s) 50 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/SeaQuestDSV''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
to:
* ''Series/SeaQuestDSV''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, accepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
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Changed line(s) 19,20 (click to see context) from:
* An excuse for showing up late for work or at class.
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* An an excuse for showing up late for work or at class.
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Do not refer to the page quote.
Changed line(s) 32 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, such as the conversation that is this trope's quote.
to:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, such as at one point telling Starfleet Command the conversation that warp core is this trope's quote.malfunctioning.
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Changed line(s) 32 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.
to:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command such as the warp core conversation that is malfunctioning.this trope's quote.
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Changed line(s) 2 (click to see context) from:
'''Scotty''': (barging in) Who fired tha--?!
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'''Scotty''': (barging in) Who fired tha--?!tha--?!\\
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Changed line(s) 2 (click to see context) from:
'''Spock''': Ah, Mr. Scott, I understand you're having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair? \\
to:
'''Scotty''': (barging in) Who fired tha--?!
'''Spock''': (interrupting) Ah, Mr. Scott, I understand you're having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair? \\
'''Spock''': (interrupting) Ah, Mr. Scott, I understand you're having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair? \\
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* ''Film/CaptainPhillips'': One of the bluffs Phillips uses to stall the Pirates, claiming the ship's engines overheated after their chase.
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Changed line(s) 45 (click to see context) from:
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* The first scene of ''[[Literature/XWingSeries Wraith Squadron]]'' features a TIE Interceptor pulling a WoundedGazelleGambit via fake engine damage.
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Changed line(s) 72 (click to see context) from:
* In a ''Videogame/DayZ'' stream, [=DanielFromSL=] picks up a hitchhiker in a semi truck, then later fakes running out of gas to try and get the hitchhiker out to run him over. A zombie attacks Daniel, forcing him to start the engine back up to flee. A few minutes later, he kills the engine again and says they've run out of gas.
to:
* In a ''Videogame/DayZ'' stream, [=DanielFromSL=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qsX-9JZsS8 DanielFromSL]] picks up a hitchhiker in a semi truck, then later fakes running out of gas to try and get the hitchhiker out to run him over. A zombie attacks Daniel, forcing him to start the engine back up to flee. A few minutes later, he kills the engine again and says they've run out of gas.
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[[AC:WebVideo]]
* In a ''Videogame/DayZ'' stream, [=DanielFromSL=] picks up a hitchhiker in a semi truck, then later fakes running out of gas to try and get the hitchhiker out to run him over. A zombie attacks Daniel, forcing him to start the engine back up to flee. A few minutes later, he kills the engine again and says they've run out of gas.
-->''Daniel'': "Aw shit, no more gas."
-->''Hitchhiker'': "No more gas again, huh?"
* In a ''Videogame/DayZ'' stream, [=DanielFromSL=] picks up a hitchhiker in a semi truck, then later fakes running out of gas to try and get the hitchhiker out to run him over. A zombie attacks Daniel, forcing him to start the engine back up to flee. A few minutes later, he kills the engine again and says they've run out of gas.
-->''Daniel'': "Aw shit, no more gas."
-->''Hitchhiker'': "No more gas again, huh?"
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Changed line(s) 47 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/SeaQuest''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
to:
* ''Series/SeaQuest''.''Series/SeaQuestDSV''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
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When it comes to examples, trope quotes do not exist.
Changed line(s) 31 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, with this trope's quote being one such instance.
to:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, with this trope's quote being at one such instance.point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.
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Changed line(s) 31 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.
to:
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at with this trope's quote being one point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.such instance.
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Changed line(s) 39,40 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Film/HeartAndSouls'', the trolley bus driver fakes engine trouble as a way of delaying looking for souls, so they will have time to complete their unfinished business. It should be noted that the being he is attempting to fool with this ploy is God.
to:
* In ''Film/HeartAndSouls'', the trolley bus driver fakes engine trouble as a way of delaying looking for the missing souls, so they will have time to complete their unfinished business. It should be noted that the being he is attempting to fool with this ploy is God.
* In ''Film/TheCannonballRun'', Mad Dog and Batman tell a motorcycle cop that their brakes have failed so he wil clear a path for them and they don't have to slow down. A few seconds later, they discover their brakes actually have failed as they are speeding towards a railway crossing with a train on it.
* In ''Film/TheCannonballRun'', Mad Dog and Batman tell a motorcycle cop that their brakes have failed so he wil clear a path for them and they don't have to slow down. A few seconds later, they discover their brakes actually have failed as they are speeding towards a railway crossing with a train on it.
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Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
to:
* In ''Film/HeartAndSouls'', the trolley bus driver fakes engine trouble as a way of delaying looking for souls, so they will have time to complete their unfinished business. It should be noted that the being he is attempting to fool with this ploy is God.
Changed line(s) 45 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/SeaQuest2032''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
to:
* ''Series/SeaQuest2032''.''Series/SeaQuest''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
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Changed line(s) 3,4 (click to see context) from:
'''Scotty''': There's nothing wrong with the bloody thing!\\
'''Spock''': Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again. \\
'''Spock''': Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again. \\
to:
'''Scotty''': There's nothing wrong with the bloody thing!\\
thing...!\\
'''Spock''': (looming over Scotty) Mr. Scott, if we return tospacedock, spacedock as ordered, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again. \\
'''Spock''': (looming over Scotty) Mr. Scott, if we return to
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Changed line(s) 7,8 (click to see context) from:
-->--''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry''
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Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/{{Thunderball}}''. After JamesBond rescues Domino from drowning, he fakes engine trouble on his boat so he can ask her to take him to an appointment in her boat (and get to know her better).
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* ''Film/{{Thunderball}}''. After JamesBond Film/JamesBond rescues Domino from drowning, he fakes engine trouble on his boat so he can ask her to take him to an appointment in her boat (and get to know her better).
Changed line(s) 42,43 (click to see context) from:
* In the book ''TheMonumentsMen'' is based on, James Rorimer fakes a flat tire on his bicycle and takes a long time fixing it in order to have an excuse to watch a suspicious building and see who comes in or out. [[SubvertedTrope He doesn't observe anything useful.]]
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* In the book ''TheMonumentsMen'' ''Literature/TheMonumentsMen'' is based on, James Rorimer fakes a flat tire on his bicycle and takes a long time fixing it in order to have an excuse to watch a suspicious building and see who comes in or out. [[SubvertedTrope He doesn't observe anything useful.]]
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Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
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* In the book ''TheMonumentsMen'' is based on, James Rorimer fakes a flat tire on his bicycle and takes a long time fixing it in order to have an excuse to watch a suspicious building and see who comes in or out. [[SubvertedTrope He doesn't observe anything useful.]]
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[[AC:Literature]]
* Used in ''The White Riders'' by Monica Edwards: The villain, a CorruptCorporateExecutive, suspects the teenage heroes are sabotaging his project to build a holiday camp. So he takes them out in his car, which then breaks down, stranding them where they can't do any harm. Or rather, as the youngsters soon realise, the car had been modified so he could simulate a breakdown at will.
* Used in ''The White Riders'' by Monica Edwards: The villain, a CorruptCorporateExecutive, suspects the teenage heroes are sabotaging his project to build a holiday camp. So he takes them out in his car, which then breaks down, stranding them where they can't do any harm. Or rather, as the youngsters soon realise, the car had been modified so he could simulate a breakdown at will.
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->'''Uhura''': Mr. Spock, Starfleet is screaming for us to return to port.\\
'''Spock''': Ah, Mr. Scott, I understand you're having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair? \\
'''Scotty''': There's nothing wrong with the bloody thing!\\
'''Spock''': Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again. \\
'''Scotty''': Could take weeks, sir.\\
'''Spock''': Thank you, Mr. Scott. Valeris, please inform Starfleet Command our warp drive is inoperative.
-->--''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry''
What? You want us to leave? Well, we can't because...we're having engine trouble. We need to get it fixed first.
This is where characters make the excuse that their car, truck, boat, plane, starship or whatever is having engine trouble, which means they can't go anywhere until it's repaired. This is generally used as a stalling tactic which, if it works, should buy more time for them to do whatever it is they need.
Other possible reasons include:
* as a cover for illegal activity
* a means to keep someone trapped in the middle of nowhere if they think their ride is out of order
* a trap for good Samaritans
* an excuse to get some alone time with a significant other, preferably in a deserted area so they can make out, or get intimate.
* An excuse for showing up late for work or at class.
It only works for so long before the one they're stalling either begins to get suspicious or offers to personally take a look at it. If that happens the jig is up.
Compare PlayingSick and ObfuscatingDisability for when a person does this for similar reasons. May be part of a HurricaneOfExcuses.
'''Not to be confused with VehicularSabotage'''.
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!Examples
[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.
* In the first ''Film/{{Transformers}}'' movie, Bumblebee (who is the car) fakes engines problems to try and bring Sam and Mikaela together.
* ''Film/{{Thunderball}}''. After JamesBond rescues Domino from drowning, he fakes engine trouble on his boat so he can ask her to take him to an appointment in her boat (and get to know her better).
* In ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', there is a scene where Truman tries to leave the town on a bus. However, the driver crunches the gear box to make the excuse that the bus is not working, so Truman cannot leave town.
* ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'': One of the HurricaneOfExcuses that Jake gives his ex-fiancee for leaving her at the altar.
-->'''Jake''': Oh, please, don't kill us! Please, please don't kill us! You know I love you baby. I wouldn't leave ya. It wasn't my fault!\\
'''Mystery Woman''': You miserable slug! You think you can talk your way out of this? You betrayed me.\\
'''Jake''': No, I didn't. Honest...I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!
[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''Series/SeaQuest2032''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
* ''Series/MagnumPI''. In "Home From the Sea", Rick takes one of his girlfriends out on a boat for the 4th of July. Later, he tells her one of the engines is out so they can't make it home through the reef in the dark and will have to wait until morning, and he intends to make the most of it...until he starts to get the feeling that Magnum's in trouble and starts up both engines without a problem. She just rolls her eyes at that.
* ''Series/OnceUponATime:'' After their father, a mechanic, refuses to care for them, Emma must drive Eva and Nicholas to Boston where they will enter the foster care system. As they leave Storybrooke, Emma fakes engine trouble as an excuse to call their father out for one final chance to change his mind.
* In the episode "Dead Freight" of BreakingBad, this was done with a dump truck to get a train to stop so they could steal Methylamine from one of its cars without getting caught.
* ''Series/{{Bewitched}}''. In "My Grandson, the Warlock," Maurice takes the Tates' baby, Jonathan, mistaken him for Samantha's newborn; when Darrin picks the Tates up at the airport from their vacation, Samantha and Endora have him stall for time while they try to locate Maurice, and among the many different stalls Darrin pulls is engine trouble.
* In an episode of ''Series/{{House}}'', Foreman is late for work and claims that his car broke down.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'' has this happen in "The Daleks." The Doctor wants to explore the city on the planet they just landed on while his companions want to leave. He pretends a part is damaged in order to force a trip to the city.
* TheGreatestAmericanHero: In a number of episodes Bill would fake car trouble as a cover while Ralph goes into a situation inside the building.
* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': PlayedWith in the episode "Phantasms"; Admiral Nakamura begins to suspect Picard is pulling this since he's supposed to be at the annual admirals banquet, and has been ducking it for years, but the ''Enterprise'' [[SubvertedTrope really is having trouble]] with a new warp core which still has a few bugs to work out, literally. Picard is in no hurry to have it fixed but as the delays mount up, Nakamura finally offers/threatens to have them towed in. Picard firmly states that they will [[DefiedTrope resolve the issue and arrive on schedule]]. [[spoiler: Ultimately they miss the banquet. And Picard's just fine with that.]]
* Eugene in ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' actually causes real engine trouble to delay getting to Washington D.C [[spoiler: since he was lying about having a cure for the plague.]]
[[AC:{{Music}}]]
* PlayedWith in the ShowWithinAShow in Music/MichaelJackson's MusicVideo for "Music/{{Thriller}}." Michael's character says he's out of gas, while in the woods with his girlfriend.
-->'''Michael''': Honestly, we're out of gas.
-->'''Girl''': So what are we gonna do now?
-->''cut to the two of them walking down the road''
-->'''Girl''': I'm sorry I didn't believe you.
[[AC:{{Radio}}]]
* In one episode of ''Radio/TheNavyLark'' Commodore Povey orders the crew of HMS Troutbridge to fake various problems with the ship so he can get out of dinner with his mother-in-law, a variety of SpringtimeForHitler plot complications soon take place though.
[[AC:TabletopGames]]
* Classic ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'' campaign ''The Traveller Adventure''. In the adventure "Inselberg", the March Harrier sets down on the planet Lewis to pick up the {{PC}}s after they complete their mission. If the {{PC}}s are late arriving the March Harrier's crew must give an excuse for the ship to stay longer, such as a breakdown of the ship's engines.
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''. After the Earth Queen dismisses Team Avatar, Asami says they can't leave just yet since the airship had a malfunction in one of its engines, and won't be flight worthy until the morning. This gives them the night to search for Kai, who had been forcibly recruited for the Earth Queen's army.
* Done on ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' by Ray, when he sees Le Chuffre chasing them in a helicopter.
--> "[[ScrewThisImOuttaHere Oh, rocket launchers.]] My car is slowing down for no apparent reason. Just must be out of... carburetor."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'': When Carlos needed some more time to perfect his music instrument, Ms Frizzle overheated the bus's engine to buy some. It's unclear if she actually overheated it or if she just said it was given the bus winked at her as she was checking it.
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'''Spock''': Ah, Mr. Scott, I understand you're having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair? \\
'''Scotty''': There's nothing wrong with the bloody thing!\\
'''Spock''': Mr. Scott, if we return to spacedock, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain or Dr. [=McCoy=] alive again. \\
'''Scotty''': Could take weeks, sir.\\
'''Spock''': Thank you, Mr. Scott. Valeris, please inform Starfleet Command our warp drive is inoperative.
-->--''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry''
What? You want us to leave? Well, we can't because...we're having engine trouble. We need to get it fixed first.
This is where characters make the excuse that their car, truck, boat, plane, starship or whatever is having engine trouble, which means they can't go anywhere until it's repaired. This is generally used as a stalling tactic which, if it works, should buy more time for them to do whatever it is they need.
Other possible reasons include:
* as a cover for illegal activity
* a means to keep someone trapped in the middle of nowhere if they think their ride is out of order
* a trap for good Samaritans
* an excuse to get some alone time with a significant other, preferably in a deserted area so they can make out, or get intimate.
* An excuse for showing up late for work or at class.
It only works for so long before the one they're stalling either begins to get suspicious or offers to personally take a look at it. If that happens the jig is up.
Compare PlayingSick and ObfuscatingDisability for when a person does this for similar reasons. May be part of a HurricaneOfExcuses.
'''Not to be confused with VehicularSabotage'''.
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!Examples
[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'': Starfleet orders the ''Enterprise'' to return to Spacedock, but since Chancellor Gorkon's assassins are on board, to keep them from escaping the crew keep coming up with reasons not to return, at one point telling Starfleet Command the warp core is malfunctioning.
* In the first ''Film/{{Transformers}}'' movie, Bumblebee (who is the car) fakes engines problems to try and bring Sam and Mikaela together.
* ''Film/{{Thunderball}}''. After JamesBond rescues Domino from drowning, he fakes engine trouble on his boat so he can ask her to take him to an appointment in her boat (and get to know her better).
* In ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', there is a scene where Truman tries to leave the town on a bus. However, the driver crunches the gear box to make the excuse that the bus is not working, so Truman cannot leave town.
* ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'': One of the HurricaneOfExcuses that Jake gives his ex-fiancee for leaving her at the altar.
-->'''Jake''': Oh, please, don't kill us! Please, please don't kill us! You know I love you baby. I wouldn't leave ya. It wasn't my fault!\\
'''Mystery Woman''': You miserable slug! You think you can talk your way out of this? You betrayed me.\\
'''Jake''': No, I didn't. Honest...I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!
[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''Series/SeaQuest2032''. One episode had ''seaQuest'' getting caught in Macronesian waters, and Captain Hudson giving the excuse they were having engine trouble, and the Macs offer to "escort" them to port. Hudson acccepts, and orders his helmsman to take an erratic course with variations in speed until he can find a way to make a break.
* ''Series/MagnumPI''. In "Home From the Sea", Rick takes one of his girlfriends out on a boat for the 4th of July. Later, he tells her one of the engines is out so they can't make it home through the reef in the dark and will have to wait until morning, and he intends to make the most of it...until he starts to get the feeling that Magnum's in trouble and starts up both engines without a problem. She just rolls her eyes at that.
* ''Series/OnceUponATime:'' After their father, a mechanic, refuses to care for them, Emma must drive Eva and Nicholas to Boston where they will enter the foster care system. As they leave Storybrooke, Emma fakes engine trouble as an excuse to call their father out for one final chance to change his mind.
* In the episode "Dead Freight" of BreakingBad, this was done with a dump truck to get a train to stop so they could steal Methylamine from one of its cars without getting caught.
* ''Series/{{Bewitched}}''. In "My Grandson, the Warlock," Maurice takes the Tates' baby, Jonathan, mistaken him for Samantha's newborn; when Darrin picks the Tates up at the airport from their vacation, Samantha and Endora have him stall for time while they try to locate Maurice, and among the many different stalls Darrin pulls is engine trouble.
* In an episode of ''Series/{{House}}'', Foreman is late for work and claims that his car broke down.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'' has this happen in "The Daleks." The Doctor wants to explore the city on the planet they just landed on while his companions want to leave. He pretends a part is damaged in order to force a trip to the city.
* TheGreatestAmericanHero: In a number of episodes Bill would fake car trouble as a cover while Ralph goes into a situation inside the building.
* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': PlayedWith in the episode "Phantasms"; Admiral Nakamura begins to suspect Picard is pulling this since he's supposed to be at the annual admirals banquet, and has been ducking it for years, but the ''Enterprise'' [[SubvertedTrope really is having trouble]] with a new warp core which still has a few bugs to work out, literally. Picard is in no hurry to have it fixed but as the delays mount up, Nakamura finally offers/threatens to have them towed in. Picard firmly states that they will [[DefiedTrope resolve the issue and arrive on schedule]]. [[spoiler: Ultimately they miss the banquet. And Picard's just fine with that.]]
* Eugene in ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' actually causes real engine trouble to delay getting to Washington D.C [[spoiler: since he was lying about having a cure for the plague.]]
[[AC:{{Music}}]]
* PlayedWith in the ShowWithinAShow in Music/MichaelJackson's MusicVideo for "Music/{{Thriller}}." Michael's character says he's out of gas, while in the woods with his girlfriend.
-->'''Michael''': Honestly, we're out of gas.
-->'''Girl''': So what are we gonna do now?
-->''cut to the two of them walking down the road''
-->'''Girl''': I'm sorry I didn't believe you.
[[AC:{{Radio}}]]
* In one episode of ''Radio/TheNavyLark'' Commodore Povey orders the crew of HMS Troutbridge to fake various problems with the ship so he can get out of dinner with his mother-in-law, a variety of SpringtimeForHitler plot complications soon take place though.
[[AC:TabletopGames]]
* Classic ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'' campaign ''The Traveller Adventure''. In the adventure "Inselberg", the March Harrier sets down on the planet Lewis to pick up the {{PC}}s after they complete their mission. If the {{PC}}s are late arriving the March Harrier's crew must give an excuse for the ship to stay longer, such as a breakdown of the ship's engines.
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''. After the Earth Queen dismisses Team Avatar, Asami says they can't leave just yet since the airship had a malfunction in one of its engines, and won't be flight worthy until the morning. This gives them the night to search for Kai, who had been forcibly recruited for the Earth Queen's army.
* Done on ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' by Ray, when he sees Le Chuffre chasing them in a helicopter.
--> "[[ScrewThisImOuttaHere Oh, rocket launchers.]] My car is slowing down for no apparent reason. Just must be out of... carburetor."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'': When Carlos needed some more time to perfect his music instrument, Ms Frizzle overheated the bus's engine to buy some. It's unclear if she actually overheated it or if she just said it was given the bus winked at her as she was checking it.
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