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Massive mechanical failure. Not a good day...

33whitey said:
i assume the old motor is yours.

If so you'll get a few bob back for the bits and bobs if you can be bothered to break it.

Sadly not. As Slate says, they work on an exchange basis.

Interestingly the dealer didn't have the engine in a suitable state to be returned initially (they like them bolted back together a certain way for exchange) and Porsche wanted an additional £4,000 because the exchange unit wasn't ready. They came to an agreement in the end so they didn't have to pay it, but clearly the old units have some value to Porsche? :dont know:
 
And thanks Jamie (for all your advice on the phone too!) and Doink for your kind words. And to everyone else that had PM'd me with advice / support.

I think we're entering the final straight now and if all goes well I might have my car back this weekend....certainly by early next week.

It's going to be like getting it for the first time all over again. :drive: :clap:
 
You may have started a new thread or just haven't stopped driving since you got your car back, but I was wondering when the dealer's identity, who seems to have gone the extra mile, was going to be revealed.

Peter
 
northpole said:
You may have started a new thread or just haven't stopped driving since you got your car back, but I was wondering when the dealer's identity, who seems to have gone the extra mile, was going to be revealed.

Peter

I still don't have the car back Peter.

They're expecting to have the engine fitted by Tuesday, then I've asked them to get the front end resprayed before I pick it up, so I think realistically it'll be either late next week (or possibly next weekend) before I have it back. Once collected, as soon as I can get it to JZM for a quick once over then I'll be posting a big thanks to the dealer.

Watch this space...
 
jfb1977 said:
I still don't have the car back Peter.

They're expecting to have the engine fitted by Tuesday, then I've asked them to get the front end resprayed before I pick it up, so I think realistically it'll be either late next week (or possibly next weekend) before I have it back. Once collected, as soon as I can get it to JZM for a quick once over then I'll be posting a big thanks to the dealer.

Watch this space...


Hey jfb1977, do you have your baby back yet ?
 
Not yet Benson.

I went to pick it up last Saturday and it was a disaster!

The new engine had been fitted but they'd overfilled the oil and half a mile down the road it was billowing blue smoke - I looked like something out of Wacky Racers! I also crapped my pants as I thought for a second that this engine had let go....although it still sounded sweet as a nut, so that feeling didn't last long!

Not only that but the road test they'd given the car wasn't long enough, so although they'd refilled the coolant, once the car had been driven and it had flowed through the system, the level dropped below minimum and I got a warning light come on during my half mile drive.

I immediately turned back to the dealers, and I'm really glad I did as there was also damage to the car that wasn't there when I dropped it off which I hadn't noticed when I first picked the car up!

It looks like during the 2 months it's been off the road and in various workshops something got dropped on the bonnet and dented and chipped it and made a scuff in the front bumper too. What was worse was that someone had clearly noticed the damage and tried (in vain) to wet and dry it out (or something similar) resulting in a large flat spot on the paint.

And finally, I had 2 tiny cracks in my windscreen that were there when I dropped the car off (maybe 6 / 7mm long each of them) which had become about a foot long each! This was caused by the car coming on and off of trailers and being jacked up, stood on axle stands etc, but I was really pissed off that they hadn't bothered to tell me as I was expecting to pick the car up perfect and it looked like sh*t.

As you can imagine I was fuming!! Words were exchanged and the dealer is now having the whole front of the car (bumper and bonnet) repaired and repainted for me (at his expense obviously).

The car has also been properly road tested, the oil level is right (to be fair the excess seemed to have burnt off by the time I got back to them anyway), the coolant level is right and I've got a new windscreen going in tomorrow, ready for collection on Saturday.

So, it was a disaster and ruined my weekend, but hopefully I'll be picking her up this Saturday, newly painted and (really!) ready to go!

The windscreen was going to need to be done at some point anyway, but I was just annoyed they didn't think to tell me so I could get it sorted whilst they had and before I collected the car, but the damage was out of order. I don't think the guy I deal with knew it had happened, I think it was the mechanics and they probably didn't want to pipe up.

Even more reason why the first place it's going is either OPC Byfleet or JZM for an hour on the ramp and an inspection to check all is well.

Also - they mentioned that I should probably get an oil change once I've run the engine in, just to be on the safe side - does that sound right?
 
yes, normal to do an oil change after running in a new engine. I forget how many miles you do under 4k rpm to run in a new engine, but i imagine that will be the tedious bit!
 
Great news on the new engine....

Cant believe ive just read 16 pages and still I don't know the dealer :pc:
 
Mate,

Your experience with that OPC is shocking. I had a very good service from Hartech, all the coolant and oil was perfect. However I would have properly crapped my pants if the car started spewing blue smoke on the way home.. :eek: It is amazing to me that a small operation like Hartech can trump a main dealer like this.

That all said, same sh&te happened to my car - a nice big scratch an inch and a half long and the same wide had gouged my rear wheel arch (and nicely re-done wheels) :frustrated: I kicked up a terrible din with the removal company and they paid it in full. Hartech outsourced it to one of their specialists and once again the work is top notch. :thumb:

Hartech suggested a running in period of 2,000 miles. In that time no agressive driving or straining the engine (ie low gears on a steep hill). They advised me always to warm it up properly as well. I noticed the car felt super tight when I got it, really 'together', and now even though that feeling remains it is easier in itself now and what a joy to drive it.. :puh:

Just to give you an idea of how much you are going to want to drive when you get her back, I picked mine up on the Friday, and had done 1,050 miles by the Tuesday evening! :lol: Try the A303 to Devon or the road from Beaconsfield to Aylsbury to Silverstone a couple of times.. :worship:

I am now on 1600 miles and major blat time approaches, although keeping the revs low has not spoiled the joy of having her back at last.

Good luck with your pick up - you deserve it! :thumbs:
 
Always fully warm up before spirited use.

Here is the what the manual says:

Running-in hints for the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometres

The following tips will he helpful in obtaining optimum performance from your new Porsche.

Despite the most modern, high-precision manufacturing methods, the moving parts must still wear in with each other. This wearing-in occurs mainly in the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometres.

Therefore:
  • Preferably take longer trips.
    Avoid frequent cold starts with short-distance driving whenever possible.
    Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
    Do not exceed maximum engine speed of 4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute).
    Do not run a cold engine at high rpm either in Neutral or in gear.
    Do not let the engine labour, especially when driving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in time (use the most favorable rpm range).
    Never load the engine in high gear at low speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just during the running-in period.
    Do not participate in motor racing events, sports driving schools, etc. during the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometres.
Engine oil and fuel consumption

During the running-in period oil and fuel consumption may be higher than normal.

As always, the rate of oil consumption depends on the quality and viscosity of oil, the speed at which the engine is operated, the climate and road conditions, as well as the amount of dilution and oxidation of the lubricant.

Make a habit of checking engine oll with every refueling, add if necessary.
 
Thanks for the comments guys.

And just to be clear, the dealer I'm talking about is not an OPC, or even a Porsche specialist. They're an independent dealer (been around since 1920 or something!) who specialise in Rolls Royce and Bentley mainly - they just happened to be the place I bought my car from.
 
Good stuff Paul, I was wondering why my petrol consumption was up quite a lot.. :eek: It is going right back down now. I also did one small top up of coolant in the first week and now that is exactly where I left it. Oil usage in 2000 miles has so far been...ZERO!

:lol:

PS only 300 miles to blast off... 8)
 
Not sure if this is important to you but if getting paint work carried out on your car, if not carried out by authorised dealer, your paint warranty may be voided.

It wouldn't be a concern for me, especially after what you have been through, but thought it worth mentioning.

Peter
 
northpole said:
Not sure if this is important to you but if getting paint work carried out on your car, if not carried out by authorised dealer, your paint warranty may be voided.

It wouldn't be a concern for me, especially after what you have been through, but thought it worth mentioning.

Peter

Thanks Peter, but my car is out of any official Porsche warranties anyway so I don't think this applies (unless I've misunderstood about what a paint warranty is).

I've seen the quality of work carried out by the guys doing the work and they do a lot of old Jags and stuff and their work is good.

Hopefully I get the car back on Tuesday night. Can't frigging wait!
 
Amazing story with a hopefully happy ending. As someone who is considering a 997 it has certainly opened my eyes somewhat and I will be very careful in how I proceed. What year did the 997.2 get produced and can I assume that all the engine weaknesses have been addressed?? Just for your info I too had an engine failure which occurred in an S2000 so VTEC engines are not perfect either. Enjoy the car when you get it back :D
 

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