A Rat takes apart a 993

[Porker993]

So sorry to see what happened to a pristine car. I feel quite shocked really, after seeing the photos, particularly the extent of damage one small anuimal can cause.

No wonder it died - most of what it was eating had zero nutritional value, and might have been toxic. Maybe the absence of moisture killed it. Has anyone established cause of death ? If it hadn't died I wonder if it would have kept going indefinitely, maybe starting on the interior/seats/headlining ?

This kind of incident seems quite common - The only answer seems to be to keep driving the car, at least once a week if possible.

 

[Peter_Bull]

That is a truly horrific story!

Maybe if you are keeping it in the garage in the future - why not try one of those rodent repellors >> HERE <<

It may work - or maybe a few of them!!!

It could be a money spinner to import them to Crete!!

 

[Guards Red]

I'm confused, looks like a Carrera 4....Tip?

 

[TD2015]

Check out the pic to assure yourself it's a Carrera S

Jon

 

[geolab]

If you need the engine wiring harness, please read this thread, post number 13. And if you need anything else, maybe we can help, best regards
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/993-forum/534382-engine-wiring-harness.html

 

[Guards Red]

ORIGINAL: TD

Check out the pic to ensure yourself it's a Carrera S

Jon

Very nice indeed!

 

[38F3E1]

ORIGINAL: TD

... Has anyone else experienced this type of rodent disaster and if so do they know if UK insurance companies cover this kind of damage? ...

My partner's car was written off due to the damage a rat did. Insurance company worked out that they would basically have the take the car apart to replace the loom so full write off. Fully covered on the insurance.

Ian.

 

[TD2015]

Here's something interesting, and perhaps a silver lining to all the heart ache caused by the little rodent. I was down at the garage yesterday and the mechanic showed me the front of the engine metal brace - not sure what it's called - but it supports the engine when in the engine bay. On the right hand side there's a crack and he told me this is quite common with older cars i.e. the brace will go due to metal fatigue. You can see the black metal brace in the attached pic at the front of the engine.

So, and because the engine is out, I've asked him to order a new front brace (cost is around €450) so that I don't have a problem further down the road and have to get the engine out again!!

The parts are now ordered but Porsche Athens said most of them would have to come from Germany and some could take up to 45 days to source and get here!! Not looking good! All I would add is the weather here is glorious at the moment so it's not that much of a hardship!

Jon

ps Saga have not yet said they will pay for the rat damage repair but they are sending in an assessor so hopefully they will do the right thing and cover the cost to return my baby to pristine condition.

 

[craig2105]

Best of luck with the insurance assessor. Will he be local or travelling from the UK?

 

[TD2015]

Apparently it's a company called Van Ameyde (Saga's foreign handling agents)

Jon

 

[Martin Perry]

Glory, what a nightmare. Jon - you seem very magnanimous about the whole thing. The sea air in Crete must be very calming...

 

[TD2015]

Martin,

I don't know about being magnanimous but there's not a lot more I can do to move the situation forward so why worry about it? Saga seem to be engaging in the operation, which is certainly a weight off my mind and I'm happy with the professionalism of the auto electrician. My concerns will probably grow once they begin to reassemble the car but it's now a period of wait and see re the parts and hope they all get here. The garage has a rolling road and they've agreed to test it once assembled so that's also a bonus. They've also had to drain the oil, remove the filters etc. so the car will presumably have to be serviced prior to reassembly.

I've been fascinated by what's under the skin of the 993 and as said previously, am mightily impressed by the overall condition. Years ago I had a Rouse Sapphire Cosworth - owned it from new for 12 years - and by the time I sold it rust had begun to take hold. I've been under the 993, looked at all the panels and can't find a spot of rust - it really does look like a new car. I know the bodies are galvanised but it really is quiet impressive. This could be because the car originally came from Japan or because it was never run in the wet / snow. Whatever the reason, it's a real eye opener.

Jon

 

[Martin Perry]

Rat poison in my garage from now on I think!

Good luck with it all Jon.

 

[TD2015]

Just a quick update, it looks like Saga is going to give the go ahead for the repair. Watch this space to learn whether the garage can put it back together as well as they took it apart!

Jon

 

[TD2015]

Spoke with the garage today and the insurance claim has been agreed - good news because the estimate given was close to £7250. Good old Saga!!

No word on the parts yet but at least the pain has been mollified somewhat!!

Jon

 

[verysideways]

Phew!

 

[lees]

Hi Jon,
I'm a 964 owner nosing about on the 993 forum but then the two models do share quite a number of bits. I was interested to see your car was a Japanese import. Mine also is from Japan and like yours is in fantastic condition and coming up to 20 yrs old as well. I had it fully inspected and was able to see it up on the ramp; all the little nuts and bolts everywhere are so clean. Autofarm told me it was the best 964 they'd seen in 10 yrs. I've researched quite a bit about the Japanese and Porsche cars and they seem to be very fastidious in regard to maintenance and servicing, far better even than the German registered cars. My car I've found out was kept in an underground air conditioned garage and as you say, never been out in snow etc. Whilst yours is stripped down, good idea to think about wax oiling into some of those crevices.
regards
Chris

 

[TD2015]

Chris,

That's sound advice and something I'll bring up later today when I go visit my baby - it's like visiting a sickly lover who's lying alone in a hospital bed!! She's covered in dust and looks pretty forlorn at the moment.

And just like you, I've been amazed at the condition of this car. I recall Adrian Crawford - the dealer who imported the car from Japan - telling me at the time his Japanese agent had told him it was the best example they'd ever seen. The car is currently a shell i.e. interior out, engine, gear box out, bumpers off etc. and you can see just how solidly the 993 is constructed. I'd have expected to see some rust but so far can find nothing which is quite amazing on a 13 year old car.

But sound advice re the wax oil and something I'll bring up later to day with Adonis.

Cheers,

Jon

 

[lees]

Good to hear back Jon. It's a small world, at least it is as far as Porsche are concerned. I got mine from Adrian Crawford as well at the beginning of last year so it probably came through the same agent as yours. Top guy Adrian as far as Porsche are concerned and I'd have no hesitation in recommending him to others. I would certainly buy again from him. Mine was a one owner car and came with the full service history and all the worksheets to go with it. I couldn't understand any of it but have since had it all translated and have put together a comprehensive history now in English. Japanese spec is largely the same as ours but for one or two minor differences, eg things slightly in different places in the boot and the rear seats are shaped differently, nothing of any consequence.
Hope your rebuild goes well; stay away from those rats!
Regards
Chris

 

[TD2015]

Well, the big day is nearing i.e. the day I pick up the car and see if all the hard work by Adonis and the team have paid off. The parts arrived last week and most, although not all, are now in place. The engine / gearbox was going back in last night and tomorrow or Friday the car might be returned although they still have to put it on the rolling road and check out the actual horses etc!

The total cost for parts was around the £3700 mark (converted from euros) whilst the labour charge will come to £3200. Once again, well done SAGA for making this as painless as possible.

The wiring has all been repaired and I must admit the job looks faultless although the real test will come over the next week or two when I drive her back to the UK.

It would be interesting to know what this kind of major repair would have cost in the UK i.e. everything - and I do mean everything - removed from under the bonnet. Interior removed, dash removed, all dials removed. Engine and gearbox removed, front wheels removed, all pipework that runs through the chassis removed. All wiring checked and repaired - and the damage was extensive. Engine fully serviced, all filters, plugs changed, rolling road test etc.

It costs around £1500 to drive from the UK to Crete i.e. three ferries, fuel etc.and back. I'm now considering offering "Porsche Holidays" i.e. Porsche owners drive down to Crete, spend a week or two at "Casa Symons", get your low cost service and then drive back to the UK!!! If you've never driven your Porsche through Holland, Germany and Italy then this alone would make the trip worthwhile. What's more, a Porsche trained auto electrician / mechanic who charges £32 per hour and two weeks on a Greek island soaking up the sun - I could make a fortune!!!

Jon