Hartech engine rebuild

[911since94]

Just picked up my Gen 1 996 C4 from Hartech after a full engine rebuild. A pre-emptive strike at 120K miles which made no economic sense but I didn't buy it as an investment, I bought it to drive it and enjoy the experience. Having done a fair bit of research on the project and looked at various rebuild providers I opted for Hartech given their great reputation.

A special mention should go to Chris Wright here of Wrightune who said that I was probably riding my luck at this level of mileage despite RMS/IMS been done (crank bearing failures though give no warning and that was on my mind)and the car had also undergone a full gearbox rebuild within the last 4 years. Chris recommended Hartech given the set up they have and the reputation.

When I dropped the car off at the Hartech workshop the welcome was very friendly and Tobias showed me round the various sections of their facility explaining the whole process - it was really uplifting to see some great engineering going there, I have to say. I even met Baz who was on his way out but stopped for a chat about what they do there.

Having made my way home Grant phoned a week later me to say the engine was out, stripped and what they had found. Given the car was 25 years old there were obviously going to to be things that were badly corroded and needed changing. Fortunately, the water pump, AOS and starter and harness had been changed within the last 2 years so those were kept off the list of things to do. I got the car back in 6 weeks and I can't be more delighted. The crispness of the engine, the note from the new Topgear exhaust and the whole experience is incredible - a new lease of life and practically a new car!!

I would definitely recommend them, it was a great experience (except the payment part!!! LOl).

The Last Drop Hotel in Bromley Cross is worth a stay if you need to stop over. It's a 10 minute ride from there in a cab.

Happy motoring!

 

[skoosh1970]

Out of interest, what were the deciding factors in making this decision..? My 99 C4 is just about to hit 113k and runs beautifully, has just had a full service including all liquids and plugs at MLR and is, and i quote, " immaculate ". What are the noticeable differences after the rebuild?
Si.

 

[911since94]

Out of interest, what were the deciding factors in making this decision..? My 99 C4 is just about to hit 113k and runs beautifully, has just had a full service including all liquids and plugs at MLR and is, and i quote, " immaculate ". What are the noticeable differences after the rebuild?
Si.

Hi Si, My car had the RMS/IMS done less than 30K ago plus most of the ancillaries since and the car was running very well. My biggest concern to be honest was a big end bearing failure (where you get no warning). Having spoken to a few specialists the consensus seemed to be if there was going to be trouble after everything that I'd had done it was the big end bearingswith that sort of mileage. I then learned that Hartech were seeing more and more of these incidents since a lot more cars now are over 100K. I know there are plenty of cars out there that are running perfectly well with higher mileage than mine that haven't had a rebuild but I didn't want to roll the dice and find out as it were. Had I tried to sell it with 120K on the clock with no rebuild it would be almost like giving the car away given where prices are at the mo. Like I said above, it didn't make economic sense but I'm keeping it anyway.

The engine seems more responsive and crisp and sounds throatier, courtesy of the new Topgear exhaust they fitted (I had Dansk on previous but had corroded sadly and could not be saved). Other engine rebuilders are obviously available and it's down to individual choice and I'm very pleased with the one I made.

These C4's are great little cars aren't they!