Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

Wed 1 Jun 2011 11:56

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - Whiskey29

Think I might have posted this in the worng forum before, apologies if so!

I have a 52 plate Boxster 3.2s with 45k on the clock, i have owned it for 3 years, but do less tha 6k a year and by no means 'thrash' it! I started it and noticed that the radiator was blowing cold air, even when on hot. Stopping the car and checking the resevoir I noticed it was very low on water and under a lot of pressure. Took the car to my local garage and they said they'd look at it. about 3 weeks later I got a phone call saying the head gasket had gone, which I was expecting, but was surprised given the mileage of the engine.

We discussed costs and the way ahead and was told that they could replace the gaskets and do some engine work which would fix the problem for £2000. I agreed but stated that this was the upper limit of my budget and not to conduct any work above this. Eventually they phoned back saying that they were rebuilding the car and it should be ready at the end of the week. By this point it has been in the garage for nearly 3 months, the mechanic who was a specialist on these engines was away/sick a lot, and as they were supposedly doing the work cheaply, I didnt hassle, but did chase up each week, and tell them it was starting to get slightly ridiculous!

So went in to collect my car, only to find the engine on pieces on the workshop floor. Speaking to the garage they told me that the head gasket replacement hadnt fixed the problem and that they suspect it is something deeper in the engine. They gave a number of options such as continuing to investigate or replacing the engine for a reconditioned one (their preferred option). They quoted me £3500 for another engine with a 2 year warranty on it, they couldnt quote me for the investigative work as they didnt know how long it would take.... Given their speedy work so far, I would like to have the car back before its an antique!

So should I go for the reconditioned engine? Does that seem a reasonable price? They are expecting me to pay the original bill on top, is this reasonable considering they didnt fix what they told me was the problem?

Any advice would be gratefully received as im unfortunatly not made of money and starting to panic!!

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 12:18

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - 659FBE

It's difficult to find a way of summarising this situation without causing some offence to the vehicle owner. This is certainly not my intention.

The vehicle and engine you describe is a niche market product with very high initial and maintenance costs. As such it is not even remotely suited to anyone trying to operate it on a limited budget.

By employing budget labour on such equipment, the job simply goes from bad to worse and the total expenditure and grief may well approach that which would occur if the engine were to be repaired by a franchised dealer.

The expression "horses for courses" springs to mind - choose your vehicles carefully and look beyond the badge. You obviously have a mess on your hands - the resolution of which can only be achieved by careful examination by an expert. An Internet Forum is not going to fix this.

659.

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 12:27

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - injection doc

I am inclined to agree with the above statement !

Now there may have to be some compromise, firstly did they have the head/heads crack tested ? if not, was this due to tight budget or they didnt offer it ? The head gasket may of shown signs of being clearly blown but trhis may of been after severe water loss ! Ither a crack occured first or gasket blew first causing a possible crack ! I would suggest you try negotiating with the garage if you leave the repair with them to complete, with iethre crack testing this time or a replacement engine.

Replacement engines can be a nightmare too so some research needed there as well por you may well end up in just as bad a position. I think you need to discuss at lenght with the garage about an improved time scale and some serious care being taken over the repair !

Personally if it were me I would strip and send the head for crack testing, if its cracked then you know where the problem lies ! Just one other thought , i trust the water pump impeller hasnt failed ? this will also cause severe pressure very quickly and lack of water curculation which can often be confused with head gasket failure.

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 12:24

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - TeeCee

As you say that you are not made of money, there is a piece of advice you really needed. Unfortunately it's way too late now.

To whit: Don't buy a Porsche, it'll cost you an arm and a leg in maintenance.

Engine price seems fair with a 2 year warranty on it. As for the original 2 grand, as this work was done on their advice based on their diagnosis of the problem, which has proven to be incorrect, I'd be looking for some tradeoff against the work involved in fitting the new engine here.

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 12:29

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - Whiskey29

Thanks, comments about the budget can be done without. Its not abudget garage i took it to, but one thats quite well respected, just not the main s******ship. The amount of time that they have taken to deal with this issue probably suggests otherwise though.

I can afford the repairs, just would rather not pay out if im being ripped off, theres a difference between being able to afford the repairs, and caring what you spend your money on, hence looking for other peoples opinions.

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 13:59

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - injection doc

a little confused Whiskey29

"comments about the budget can be done without."

"which would fix the problem for £2000. I agreed but stated that this was the upper limit of my budget "

I understood your max Budget was £2000 ? was it not ? If the engine had suffered severe overgheating then may be it needed a replacement but the garage may of been confused by a £2000 max limit ! I know I would of been.

I dont think the garage are trying to rip you off ! i think they are trying to fix for a price rather than a satisfactory repair !

Anyway has the water pump impeller been checked ?

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 14:03

Boxster 3.2s - Garage increasing cost and time on a repair. - madf

"started it and noticed that the radiator was blowing cold air, even when on hot. Stopping the car and checking the resevoir I noticed it was very low on water and under a lot of pressure."

So initially probably a failed water pump. Or a blocked waterway or radiator. Then a blown gaslket. Probably a warped cylinder head. I understand this engine has liners? Maybe they have moved as well.

You did get a quote in writing? No.. Well if not, your word against theirs if it goes to a Small Claim..

My view is Given their obvious inability to deal with the engine in a timely and efficient manner (sod their excuses.. that's all they are).. I would take my car and go to a Porsche specialist. One who can rebuild engines.

As for your bill.. Pay up or shut up I suspect. Ask for a rebate and suggest they have lied etc.. politely of course. You might be lucky..

But in reality with no engine and it in pieces, you've in a hole.

I would pay and go elsewhere. Spending money with them is = bottomless pit and no end in sight.

Porsche drivers are regarded as wealthy and easy meat by some.

Edited by madf on 01/06/2011 at 14:05

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