I'm having a real problem accessing the Arniel Gane quest. I've been requested to acquire 10 Dwemer cogs; however in previous quests when a number of objects have to be collected each time an item is picked up an item number/quest reminder message is displayed. When I collect a Dwemer cog nothing happens.

If I return to Arniel with cogs in my inventory and speak to him, the only dialogue option I'm provided is about asking him what help he needs from me; there appears to be no way of informing him that I have the cogs (I've tired this with Dwemer gears too just in case I was collecting the wrong items).

I've now acquired 10 Dwemer cogs but can progress no further. From searches on the internet it does seem that this quest is particularly buggy, but I've found no similar experiences to mine.

As anyone else experienced this issue and is there a work around (or am I simply doing something wrong)?

-- Edit ---

I've done a bit more searching and there are similar occurrences, but most seem to be related to still being within the Eye of Magus quest with the college at risk; I've completed the Eye of Magus quest (it's on my completed list) and have also closed a related rift elsewhere in Skyrim.

Did you finish the College questline? I think you have to be archmage before you can finish. If he still doesn't update his dialogue after that then try waiting until your next level up and sleep. The cogs never show a number or update the quest log as other similar fetch quests do so there's no bug there.

Maybe you had to do it before you finished the College?

It's the other way round. You must finish the college before you can finish Arniel's quest.

That is such a buggy quest line. I had problems with 3 characters on that quest. Usually its the 2nd or 3rd time you have to heat the convector where nothing happens. Its a great reward at the end of the quest, but its almost as buggy as "blood on ice".

Thanks for the replies. I have finished the College storyline and I am Archmage but I'm still unable to pass on the cogs; I'll persist and perhaps level up before trying again.