FredR

Danny,

Saddened to read of this.

If Colin and GB cannot as yet identitfy the root cause then probably not much point in speculating about this event. Unless and until you have irrefutable evidence that the mechanic screwed up carefully assess whatever clues there are and work with them [if they are cooperative] until it starts to become apparent where the problem truly lies. As long as you keep an open mind and they are proactive then that would be a good sign. If they suddenly shut up shop then that in itself would give you a clue.

You also have the possible option of asking the belt manufacturer for an opinion as to why the belt failed- at the very least they would be able to tell you if it was shock load, a defect or signs of an abnormal load placed on the belt.

A calm controlled analysis is the order of the day here.


928 Ownership has its joys and many tribulations but it is no different to any other car in that respect. They are mostly 20 plus years old now and many of us also look to enhance them never mind simply try to keep them running. You do not see too many folks trying to ugrade 25 year old Toyotas do you?

If practicaility was the order of the day we would all be driving Hyundai Santa Fe's or the like. Just think of the grin factor you get when your 928 is running well and weigh that up against the all in cost of ownership.


Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to reading a positive analysis of what happened.

Regards

Fred

SMTCapeCod

That's what I was thinking too. Counterpoint is, how'd they get part way through a test drive if the hard parts were configured to interfere?

The real crux of the problem now, or one of them, is what can we hone in on to figure out whether the belt failed and caused the interference, or the interference took place and cause the belt to fail.

Not that it adds insight to the above question- but there's been no talk yet of piston condition post-failure?

I have to go re-read to see whether stock or racing belt for a personal datapoint.

jeff spahn

Sure it is. Before knowing Colin would travel and that there is a Toronto 928 wizard these two are two known mechanics that can fix it. The OP stated he has zero mechanical ability. It was a valid answer that would get the job dine right.

69gaugeman

Well the first rebuild was a seized engine, the second was a broken belt because the oil pump gear came off. The second time was 12 intake valves bent and both heads came off....

I don't have any recommendations on a mechanic as I do all my own work, but if there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

Imo000

The belt had to be tight to break like that. Since they were working on the valvetrain, I bet the problem is there. Something jammed a cam. Just like Rob, I do all my work to and can't help you with a 928 mechanic but I know another ex 928 owner that used Hunter Motorsports (I think it's Motorsports) for many years to get his car serviced. There is enough 928 DIY brain power in the Toronto area that we can have a quick look at the car to see if anything sticks out. But for that you need to get the car out of that shop and to your house for a few days.

Imo000

As for shipping the car to the US for repairs can bite you in the a$$ when it has to cross the border back into Canada. The repais increase the value of the car and that has in the past made the owher have to pay duty on the entire car, not just on the repairs.

Bertrand Daoust

Sorry to hear what happened.

But with the help and suggestions of all the great guys here, I'm sure you will be driving your car again and that pretty soon.

If you can't work on your car yourself, I would suggest to take the car to another place.

Take your time and everything will be fine.

Beautiful car and color by the way.
Would LOVE to have thoses fenders on mine!

outbackgeorgia

I foresee a CSI type investigation into the belt separation. Microscopic examination at the separation should provide evidence as to the reason. Of course, the rest of the valve train should be examined also. The belt manufacturer will have seen all types of separation events due to testing and can probably provide a most likely scenario.
Just a thought; otherwise, this whole scenario is pretty sad. It is really great for the 928 community to have the experts collaborate.

brealytrent

Sorry about what happened :/ I have a feeling the guy who owns the '85 back in my town's local "Euro guy" is going through a bunch of loops as well, as that thing has been sitting there for over a year with the engine ripped out for a couple bent valves.

Koenig-Specials 928

Wow. Certainly sucks especially when you were all set to go pick it up and drive it back home. I am in your area and if there is anything that I can do to help please ask.

z driver 88t

Sorry to hear this. These types of experiences are exactly what scare me most about 928 ownership. In Gainesville FL there are two factory trained 928 techs left that are independent guys. One of them is in his 60s. When they finally retire I may have to move on to something else. There is no one else here qualified to fix them and these days I just don't have the time anymore to DIY stuff for anything but basic maintenance.

Best of luck in getting it sorted out.

Courtshark

In another similar thread, I recommended allowing the shop to finish. This is not one of those occasions. I'd get your car out ASAP. And document everything, gather all parts (if they've thrown anything away, that can potentially increase their liability for destroying evidence).

Very sorry to see this thread but with it sounds like you have a lot of experts here stepping in to help. There is no other car community I've ever experienced like this one that follows through on such offers. Your patience will be rewarded. And finding a good local 928 tech is like finding a hen's tooth.

DJF1

Very true statement.

And I'm VERY thankful for everyone's expertise and assistance. That is why i have been part of this community for all these years and in my own way I hope to have helped where I could other members.

So thank you all.

An hour ago I hit the sent button on an email to the shop expressing my opinions and requirements from this point on. As far as I'm concerned they have exactly ONE opportunity to make things right and if they choose to go another route, or start arguments then I will be calling my company's attorney to get advise and take it from there.

I hope its not going to get ugly but at this point I cant discount it. I have received a lot of PM's asking which shop my car is at.
As I have stated in this thread these guys ARE good people. I HOPE they do the right thing at this point, so I want to be fair and give them the benefit of the doubt before disclosing anything further and taking legal action.

Thanks again guys for your support;

Hilton

Um.. I might be missing something here.

They're a workshop. It failed on their test drive after they did the work.

Surely their shop insurance should be covering this?

Hai gebissen

Yes, they should be insured for situations like this. I am.