Still angry at my OPC for trying to fleece me

[Alex L]

Had a free winter check a couple of weeks back at my OPC. They came back with a report:

1) oil scavenging pipes from cylinder heads to tank and turbo oil return pipes heavily corroded
2) exhaust studs/nuts/fasteners heavily corroded and OS silencer heat shield not secure (Cargraphic exhaust)
3) tandem pump heavily corroded

They wanted £3k (incl. 10% PCGB discount and additional discount on parts given my car is over 7 years old now) but said the vast majority was labor of taking things off, cleaning them up and then putting them back. They said that the oil scavenging pipes were fit to burst and if they did then the car should be stopped immediately and recovered before major engine damage is done. They really tried to scare me on this one.

So, later that day I took the report down to a local Porsche independent for a second opinion - and they put it up on a ramp and invited me to take a look with them. The mechanic looked at me incredulously. He couldn't believe what my OPC was trying to pull. The rust could be rubbed off with your finger, there were no cracks, no leaks, no breakages, and other than the loose exhaust shield, there was literally nothing wrong with the car!!

So he got a new bolt and washer and within 30 seconds the exhaust heat shield was fixed. Job done! He recommended I come back in 6 months just to check if any of the rust had come back (almost certainly due to the recent salted roads and me not washing it off for a week or so), but didn't seemed concerned at all. With regards to the 'bursting' oil scavenging pipes he couldn't see anything wrong and he said if they do go then you have about 3 or 4 sensors that will tell you via the dashboard before any fallout occurs.

They didn't want any money for the heat shield fix so I gave the guy a tenner cash for a few beers on me. So £3000 vs £10!

I am still angry at the OPC and I have lost all trust in them doing any future work (other than a standard service) on my car ever again...

 

[944s2]

I think a wee chat with service manager or higher may be in order to get his opinion

 

[N.Alam]

Sounds familiar

 

[Sunil]

I'm really sorry to read this but frankly I'm not surprised. Some dealers are better than others and, unless you give feedback to Porsche, nothing will change. Actually, even with feedback, nothing might change!

This sort of things gets me really wound up because it's the official Porsche centres that you're supposed to be able to trust more than the independents but the reality is the exact opposite in some cases. As a consequence of on my own poor experiences, not to mention others', I'm looking into setting up a website so that credit is given where it's due but dealers are also held accountable for shortcomings as well. It just strikes me that PCGB is either oblivious of their dealers' shortcomings or they don't care. Either way, it needs to change. Thoughts and suggestions are very much appreciated.

 

[MarlowCrew]

Good job you got that second opinion. I wish I'd done the same first time round.

Now the first opinion I get is from the local independent.

 

[Jon_Dakeyne]

If you're on Facebook, post them a strategic reply. Porsche Centre Reading has a page. I find most companies act fast!

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Not the first time that this type of situation has been recalled TBH.

Very annoying.

 

[lamboman]

just demonstrates that free health checks are a just a ruse ...

 

[Macky993]

Guys
I worked in the motor trade for almost 30 years before leaving and " winter checks" were offered at quiet times of the year for one thing ......to increase workshop labour sales and the manufacturers geneerally promote this type of practise as the knock on effect is increased parts sales. I admit my wife and I had a very nice holiday in Dubai as a guest of a prestige manufacturer on the back of one of these campaigns!!!

I take mine in for the check, drink the nice coffee, have the car valeted and thank them very much say take the report and leave it at that........... No way am I going to pay £28.00 to have the glove box bulb replaced!!!

Incidentally never take your car in at the end of the month ....... The service manger has his target to hit !!!!!

 

[waxman]

Alex
Really sorry to hear that it's shocking
Could you PM me with which OPC you visited and independent

Tony

 

[lowndes]

Hi Alex

Sorry to hear about your problem with OPC.

I tend to work on the basis that if I want to preserve the warranty then generally it will be OPC for all non consumables. And in fairness where something has gone wrong it has been sorted by them at no charge.

But once out of warranty I always use independents. Autofarm; Northway and RPM have all been good. Not necessarily cheap but focussed on the issues only and not trying to drum up spurious business.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Sorry to hear about your experience Alex right result in the end though.
Happy days for the wallet.[][][]

 

[waxman]

Alex
Thanks for the PM
Tony

 

[Bear911]

Last week I bought 'Muffy' - 997 Carrera S 2005 one owner 33,500 miles supplied and service by the same OPC with full service history



Muffy is now booked in for a intense belt and braces service at Hartech with a view of having a Lifetime Maintenance Plan

Fingers crossed they don't discover anything nasty

 

[richardjjs1]

Getting the right indy is also a problem

Ive a 996 (I know wrong forum)
and have had traces of Oil in the water since I bought the cat (96k)

When over in Lincoln for the 3Lancasters it went really bad lots of oil in water..

LOcal Indy said I needed a new Oil Cooler - the amazing POrsche OPC at Chester got it delivered next day

Was fitted Flushed an I had it back late the next day.

A advised flushed it though a couple of time ay at home the following day. and to get aquite a bit of oil . Indy said it could continue for some time.

All of a sudden it became really bad and assumed it was just a build up but felt that needing to add a litre of oil might be a clue it had not been fixed.

poke to Hartech who recommended dropping it of to drop the engine and remove the heads.
If it was just a gasket should be under 2.5 k + vat
However head problems could bring it to 5 k Cylinder problems 10k
Obviously the right thing t do but the car is only worth 12k (If I am lucky)


So contacted my local specialist who gave me similar figures

HAve not got that kind of money at present so Phoned Wynn at a Porsche specialist in Towyn near Dolgellau

Discussed it with him and he suggested the following

STEEL SEAL (it a similar product to RadSEal which cure water leaks but this should cure Oil Leaks

The difference is that Red Seal (or equivalent) block the hole the water is leaking out of. Oil has a higher pressure that water so this will not work

The other difference is that Steel SEal for a Porsche cost 60 quid!!

He explaned one of three things would happen
1. It would totally cure the problem
2. It would cure it until I can afford the Engine Strip
3. It would not work in which case I could get my money back
It is guaranteed NOT to block or damage the engine


So I dropped the water from the engine (HOse of back of engine)
Tightened the hose
Pored 2 containers of Steel Seal in.
Topped up the coolant with the stuff I had drained out (After skimming of the oil!!
Ran the car for an hour

Of course If the car was worth 25-30 k I would have done it properly but it really seems to have mad it work

So I am saying you also have to watch the Indy>

And so far apart for a few drops of residue oil the coolant is clear and I am using no oil.