The worst day of my motoring life!

Guest · Jan 31, 2005

Dear all,
I don't really know why I'm posting this - i guess i'd just like to share my experience.

Basically, about 4 weeks ago, my 1984, 2.0 924 started to develop some problems. one set of spark plugs later soon addressed the issue - or so i thought. A few days later the temperature gauge started to behave eracticly.

I called the AA. The water in the radiator was very low, but had been full not all that long ago. We topped it up, and the AA guy did loads of tests (one of which was to test for Head Gasket problems). After ruling everything out, it was decided the problem was merely caused by a lack of water - but i thought to myself where had the water gone! Anyways, the car did appeared to run okay, with the fan kicking in at the right time etc.

The next day, I took the car out, and the eratic temperature gauge issue re-appeared. i also noticed an excess of exhaust coming from the rear so I got the car home, and left it as the next day I was catching a plane to go on holiday and so would look at it upon my return.

I returned 2 weeks later, eager to have a look at the car and see where we were. I checked the water, which seemed very low. I topped it up, started her up and all seemed well. After a drive to the supermarket everything appeared to be okay (the exhaust still seemed too much, but it wasn't enough to ring any alarm bells.....yet)

Did the shop, jumped back in the car, turned the key - nothing. Turned again - nothing. Kept the key turned, and after a few seconds it turned over, then started - I drove off, and at that point noticed a fair bit of white exhaust - Oh no! That doesn't look good. Drove a little further, and wow - i noticed a sh*t load of white smoke. Pulled over, at a garage phoned my mate who picked me up. It was getting late, so I planned to then call the AA early Sunday morning.

Sunday morning, the AA turned up (within 20 minutes - impressive). Told the guy the story, and he asked me to turn the key once, and within 0.5 of a second determined the head gasket had gone (my worst fears confirmed). We towed the car to a Specialist Car dealership who regularly service my car and I arranged to contact them the next working day and arrange the necessary synopsis and repair.

And this is nearly the end of the story - they have just called me and advised that head is damaged!

They are not prepared to repair it on the basis that they wouldn't be happy about doing the work involved and putting their name to it, as the car might only last 10 miles. the only solution is a replacement engine, fitted etc at a cost of £1000 to £1200 pounds!

No way! The car cost me £2200. I spent an estimated £1200 over the last 2 years in servicing and repairs to get the car to as good condition as i could afford and maintain the service record.

The irony is that I planned to sell the car a few weeks ago because finances were getting a little tight, i don't need a car to get to work, so I just drive it for pleasure. And now this - the worst possible outcome a few weeks before I might have sold the car and cut my losses!

I never said this story had a happy ending!

If anyone knows anyone locally in the York area who may be able to offer some useful advise, or worse case if anyone is interested in a 924 project, or wants many parts, please email me:
markymarklives@hotmail.com

I'll send you pictures of the car etc, or you can come have a look once i arrange to get it returned.

I am absolutely gutted.

I'll be somewhere in the corner - crying!

PaulHere · Jan 31, 2005

Oh heck [&:]

I really feel for you Mark, I'm hoping that someone can come up with a reasonable solution to this (4 people are looking at this topic at the moment).

There are definitely some here who can help - or at least try to soften the financial blow maybe [

]

SOS!

Guest · Jan 31, 2005

Either the top of the block is going to damaged or the head will be.
If there is just some surface damage, you could possibly get it skimmed.
It it is warped, then it depends on the extent.

A whole new engine seems a bit excessive.
The block is less likely to be harmed, so I would guess it is the head.
If you can do the work yourself (and I would not think it is too hard, although I have not looked at a 924), then it depends on how you can get a head for from a breakers.
It seems that once the gasket really went, you stopped quickly. Unless you had been really caning it before then, I am not sure you should have caused that much damage from any local overheating.

Have you actually seen what condition it is in?

Guest · Feb 1, 2005

Stuart, thanks for your reply. I am told that the engine block itself is damaged. the question is that I don't know whether or not the damage existed prior to my obtaining the car - as you say, it's hard to think that the damage was caused within the timeframe that the problems started occuring, however, who knows.

In so far as skimming, i've been advised that even if they did this, because the problems are with the block itself, the work and labour involved won;t be far short of the cost of a replacement block, and as such they don't feel it's financially viable to repair the block.

I am inclined to believe them, merely based on the fact that they have nothing to gain by giving me mis-information. The problems come about becasue they are too good at what they do, and as such one tends to pay through the nose in such cases.

i could of course recover the car from them and see if anyone else is prepared to do the owrk, however, I couldn't get a bodge job done, and then sell the car on - maybe someone with less of a conscience than me could, but i couldn;t do that to someone unfortunately. Well, at least I can sleep at night without using Horlicks!

I will seriously consider sensible offers from anyone who would like to take on a replacement 924 engine job. Basically, the rest of the car is absolutely fantastic, and it would be a crying shame to break a car in such condition because of financial constraints.

John H · Feb 1, 2005

Have you considered getting a second hand replacement engine, and having it swapped over. I suspect that this would be cheaper in the long run than complex repairs to a block. There are a number of folk who break Porsches and who would sell you an engine (Porsch-apart, Jon Mitchell, Lodge Sports and probably others)

Commiserations on your situation too [

]

JH

Guest · Feb 1, 2005

Hi John,

As I described in my intial post, the suggested solution was a replacement engine. they phoned around and put a quote together, which comes in at between £1000 to £1200 fully fitted (they recommended also checking water pump and replace cam belt).

Unfortunately I just don't have that kind of money.

John H · Feb 1, 2005

Yeh, I read that, but at first I thought it was a mite steep, although on reflection I suppose by the time you add transport and fitting etc it all mounts up. Sorry, no other suggestions! [

]

JH

AirCooledExcellence · Feb 3, 2005

Mark,

Lodge Sports have 924 engines starting at £350, see here:

http://www.lodgesports.gbr.cc/www.lodgesports.gbr.cc/info.php?p=4&pno=0

I'm sure you could get a local garage to fit it for around £300?

Cheers,

Tim.

937carrera · Feb 6, 2005

What exactly is the problem with the block ?

2.0 924's bottom ends are pretty bomb proof, and unless you have been totally "stupid" when you saw the white smoke (& it doesn't look like it) I can't see what damage can have been caused

vincematthews · Feb 13, 2005

I'd go along with the comments above.
The 2.0 is a simple car that doesn't need a Specialist to repair. For the sake of your wallet, recover the car and shop around for someone who is into VWs always assuming you don't want to take the head off yourself ;-)

924nutter · Feb 15, 2005

Proving you mark it properly, or make up a jig to reposition it, by far the easiest way to remove a 924 engine, after disconnecting all the wiring, hoses and cables etc., (which you have to do anyway) is to drop the front suspension, remove the radiator, undo the four bell housing bolts and pull the engine and clutch mechanism from the torque tube, leaving the transaxle in situ. You could hire an engine lift for comparitively little, and if you have a second hand engine you could probably get out on £500. There is a guy who trades on ebay who I have met a couple of times and he breaks 924s. The advantage to you is he is in Skirlaugh. I've emailed him to see what he's got. I'll let you know when he replies.