Disaster in Germany

[Glyn]

Friday 25th, went to Nurburgring in the Box (2002 3.2) Hotel at Euskirchen about 35 miles from the ring, On the way the car developed a squeeking sound on the overrun and at tickover but as soon as the throttle was opened it dissapeared, everything was OK and felt right.
Starting the engine after being on the ferry the noise was gone but the overun squeek that dissapeared on opening the throttle returned after a few miles, however a few more miles and the squeek had gone
Stopped at Brugge for a break - leaving Brugge the engine check light came on and instruction "engine fault drive to workshop" appeared on the dash I continued the journey and arrived at the hotel, well about 200 yards from Hotel whilst pulling away from traffic lights a plume of smoke from the rear.
In the hotel car park the smoke reduced but clearly too much to drive, car was picked up and taken to Porsche in Bonn - still awaiting the diagnosis, had a hire car to return to UK, So here i am 450 miles away from car - bummer
(Thankfully i had AA European assistance for this trip - best £27 i have spent)

The engine was running very well apart from the smoke.

The breakdown recovery truck bloke didnt even look at the car apart from starting it and declaring "head Gasket"
I had no raised water temperature, no oil in water, no water in oil and by the time the recovery truck had shown up (about 1.5hrs) when i took the water cap off there was still some pressure in the system and water level was correct.

I await Porsche Bonn diagnosis and of course this will decide if the car is recovered to the UK or repaired there and i return to pick it up.

I think this is an air oil sperater or the bellows fault but being so far away from the car i am not in a position to challenge anything i am told.
Worst was i didnt even get to see the ring.

Appreciate any comments or advice


Glyn

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: Glyn

Friday 25th, went to Nurburgring in the Box (2002 3.2) Hotel at Euskirchen about 35 miles from the ring, On the way the car developed a squeeking sound on the overrun and at tickover but as soon as the throttle was opened it dissapeared, everything was OK and felt right.
Starting the engine after being on the ferry the noise was gone but the overun squeek that dissapeared on opening the throttle returned after a few miles, however a few more miles and the squeek had gone
Stopped at Brugge for a break - leaving Brugge the engine check light came on and instruction "engine fault drive to workshop" appeared on the dash I continued the journey and arrived at the hotel, well about 200 yards from Hotel whilst pulling away from traffic lights a plume of smoke from the rear.
In the hotel car park the smoke reduced but clearly too much to drive, car was picked up and taken to Porsche in Bonn - still awaiting the diagnosis, had a hire car to return to UK, So here i am 450 miles away from car - bummer
(Thankfully i had AA European assistance for this trip - best £27 i have spent)

The engine was running very well apart from the smoke.

The breakdown recovery truck bloke didnt even look at the car apart from starting it and declaring "head Gasket"
I had no raised water temperature, no oil in water, no water in oil and by the time the recovery truck had shown up (about 1.5hrs) when i took the water cap off there was still some pressure in the system and water level was correct.

I await Porsche Bonn diagnosis and of course this will decide if the car is recovered to the UK or repaired there and i return to pick it up.

I think this is an air oil sperater or the bellows fault but being so far away from the car i am not in a position to challenge anything i am told.
Worst was i didnt even get to see the ring.

Appreciate any comments or advice


Glyn

Again my money is on the AOS!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Glyn

The breakdown recovery truck bloke didnt even look at the car apart from starting it and declaring "head Gasket"

That would be a first if it is !

Hope it all turns out well in the end. Do let us know won't you?

 

[Glyn]

Thank you Mark & JCB, will keep you updated on progress, AA has phoned to say the diagnostic report will be available Tuesday.
Not sure if the repair will cost more / less or the same in Germany as England, bit worried at the moment and have no control over the sittuation

 

[Charlie_McLaughlin]

Glyn,

German OPC labour rates are about 85 Euros an hour, so it will be cheaper to fix it in Situ.... you never know they may also give you some goodwill....

Charlie

 

[Glyn]

Well, diagnosis complete-------------The AOS, stated on the phone 700 Euros to fix, checked with Nottingham OPC, the part is approx £55 but 3.5 hours at £110 per hour and all plus VAT - so about the same price.
I have asked for this quote in writing and i want to know if there are any hidden extras like taxes (similar to our VAT) - Not received the fax yet
Not sure if i can get them to pick up the car and recover to home address then buy the part and fix myself - will save a lot of money and of course i wont have to return to drive it back.
A bit of a grey area as the car is covered for recovery to the UK if the fault is major but Major appears to be arrived at by the cost of the repair, so i guess a subjective assessment.
If i opt to pay and collect, the insurrance will cover the "reasonable"cost of getting to Bonn and the ferry back so i consider a taxi to airport, flight to Colone, taxi to Bonn, ferry or Eurotunnel back, however not sure if this is what the company will view as reasonable, they may be able to insist i travel by train