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Alternator belt broke and took out the other two belts, for good measure broke a couple fan blades.
Liquid under the car is thankfully just windshield washer fluid from the car getting tilted.
Alternator belt broke and took out the other two belts, for good measure broke a couple fan blades.
Liquid under the car is thankfully just windshield washer fluid from the car getting tilted.
Sorry to hear. How many miles on the belt that broke?
Added Porsche carbon interior door handles to match my shifter, e brake and new steering wheel. While the door cards are out, I ordered door pocket reinforcements from Beside The Box.
What I did to my car today (yesterday, actually) was I called the local Indy that has had my car for six weeks and asked when my car might be ready. They said the lead mechanic was out on lunch and would get back to me but he never did.
Maybe there’s a better place for this but I didn’t want to start a whole new thread.
Just wanted to solicit some opinions on whether I have reason to be frustrated or if this is typical and I just need to sit back and wait it out.
I dropped my car off 6 weeks ago with a known transmission leak from a PPI. The shop took a couple weeks to take a look, they told me it would be 1-2 weeks so no worries. They diagnosed the issue and a couple other things like a torn axle boot, and some “small leaks.” They said it is their policy to do an engine out job when working on 993 transmissions ($$). I said okay. I also picked up the fister short shift kit and goldenrod for them to install. They started working on my car 4 weeks ago. They estimated it would be two weeks. Two weeks ago they said it would be one more week. Last week they said it would be a few days. Yesterday, I got no answer. I only call them when it’s been a few days past their timeline. I am itching to get my car back, it’s true. I had it for less than two weeks before taking it in.
This is the first big job on my 993. Are these guys taking their sweet time or is this just par for the course? What I’m really asking is, even if they do a good job, should I bring business back to them in the future or look elsewhere?
My wife actually forgot I even bought this car it’s been so long. That’s probably both a good and bad thing depending on how you want to look at it. Your collective experience, as always, is appreciated.
Last edited by TheDangerZone; 10-03-2020 at 12:02 PM.
I believe your issue is weighty enough to merit its own thread.
Anyhow, 6 weeks is unacceptable unless there is a valid reason (e.g. waiting for parts).
Is that a reputable air-cooled specialist shop as per this forum?
Separately, there're many knowledge folks on this forum of which I'm not one that can suggest all other 'while engine is out' items to tend to.
Might as well bite the bullet and spend $10-$15k on it to fully sort the car out (take plenty of pics at various stages; your shop should play ball). Document on this forum and your car will be favorably viewed -- can't hurt at resale.
I believe your issue is weighty enough to merit its own thread.
Anyhow, 6 weeks is unacceptable unless there is a valid reason (e.g. waiting for parts).
Is that a reputable air-cooled specialist shop as per this forum?
Separately, there're many knowledge folks on this forum of which I'm not one that can suggest all other 'while engine is out' items to tend to.
Might as well bite the bullet and spend $10-$15k on it to fully sort the car out (take plenty of pics at various stages; your shop should play ball). Document on this forum and your car will be favorably viewed -- can't hurt at resale.
Thanks for the reply, hadn’t thought to ask for pictures. I don’t think waiting on parts has been an issue.
I did take a look at some of the engine out threads here to get an idea of what else should/could be done and there were a few that the shop and I agreed upon based on their inspection, (belts, etc.).
This shop was the highest recommended Indy on here, pelican parts and other locals in my metro area for air cooled work. The dealer is the other option but apparently their experienced master technician has retired and the next one is still being trained. Going a few hours out of state to Atlanta in the future would be the next best option.
Sorry to hear of your experience. I don't have enough technical knowledge to comment on the work being done or how long it should take, etc. I will say, however, that I would hope for more enthusiastic customer service. I've had two mechanics work on my car over the last 4 years of ownership (one guy moved away). Every time I've been flabbergasted by the level of care and concern that seemed to go well beyond the call of duty for these guys. They seemed genuinely excited to be working on a classic Porsche. The last time I took it in for an oil change the mechanic even texted me a few days later to followup and ask if there were any issues.
Maybe it's just the difference in market. Being in a relatively small city these guys are motivated to maintain their reputation as the only local Porsche expert. My current mechanic also organizes a local Porsche club and is truly excited to just chat about cars all day for fun. I'm fairly certain I have one of only 2 993s in my city.
Either way I'd maintain the faith in your shop and continue to develop your relationship with them. I hope everything works out well. Please keep us updated.
What I did to my car today (yesterday, actually) was I called the local Indy that has had my car for six weeks and asked when my car might be ready. They said the lead mechanic was out on lunch and would get back to me but he never did.
Maybe there’s a better place for this but I didn’t want to start a whole new thread.
Just wanted to solicit some opinions on whether I have reason to be frustrated or if this is typical and I just need to sit back and wait it out.
I dropped my car off 6 weeks ago with a known transmission leak from a PPI. The shop took a couple weeks to take a look, they told me it would be 1-2 weeks so no worries. They diagnosed the issue and a couple other things like a torn axle boot, and some “small leaks.” They said it is their policy to do an engine out job when working on 993 transmissions ($$). I said okay. I also picked up the fister short shift kit and goldenrod for them to install. They started working on my car 4 weeks ago. They estimated it would be two weeks. Two weeks ago they said it would be one more week. Last week they said it would be a few days. Yesterday, I got no answer. I only call them when it’s been a few days past their timeline. I am itching to get my car back, it’s true. I had it for less than two weeks before taking it in.
This is the first big job on my 993. Are these guys taking their sweet time or is this just par for the course? What I’m really asking is, even if they do a good job, should I bring business back to them in the future or look elsewhere?
My wife actually forgot I even bought this car it’s been so long. That’s probably both a good and bad thing depending on how you want to look at it. Your collective experience, as always, is appreciated.
Here is a cut-to-the-chase opinion.
Unfortunately, I have found that this type of behavior by P-mechanics has become more and more common. These are the guys who will tell the customer in a somewhat-joking but mostly-serious manner "The cheapest part of owning a Porsche is the owner", when in reality, the statement should be "the MOST EXPENSIVE part of owning a Porsche is THE MECHANIC!"
Face it, Porsches are no more complicated than the run-of-the-mill GM car -- yet they charge ridiculous prices for the same type of training, knowledge and work.
Just the pretense that the training and knowledge required for Porsches is soooooo complex in comparison to run-of-the-mill cars just plain pisses me off. We've got to break this mantra and show it to be BS.
Be prepared for a thousand excuses. Excuses are BS also -- unless it is waiting for parts (which I SERIOUSLY DOUBT in your case). Start a new philosophy: no tolerance for excuses.
Unfortunately, it is likely that you are screwed. You can go ahead and try civil suit, BBB, even hiring a lawyer, etc etc, and you will just be wasting your time and money - you cannot win. Sorry to be the downer, but I have lived through several similar situations and tried to pursue action against similar deadbeats.
Others on this forum will try to be more optimistic and will disagree, but typically, these people have not actually been plaintiffs or gone through this experience. After months and months (and even over a year) of machinations, you will come to the same conclusion.
Suggest you get the car ASAP and as is, and try another mechanic. I certainly would not trust these guys to complete your car in a professional manner -- but rather that they will be hurried and angry at YOU, and they will do a begrudging job. HUMAN NATURE.
BTW, never be afraid to bug a mechanic! Human behavior, again, shows that when you are concerned about timeliness and getting the car done, and constantly checking on them, should make them MORE compliant. If they get angry about that, then you need to get another mechanic! Mechanics are ALWAYS behind schedule, and if you show a lack of concern about your car, you will be put on the back burner, while the squeaky-wheel person's car will preempt yours. (Corollary of this is to never tell a shop that you are "in no hurry"! Your car will be there for years!...not an exaggeration -- it will always be preempted by quicker and more lucrative jobs) . Human behavior -- count on it; yah, only children really believe all people are righteously motivated.
I sincerely hope that I am wrong, but it only took your first 2 lines for me to have deja vu (esp. that the mechanic did not call you back!!!).
Good luck.
GET THE CAR BACK and PAY NOTHING!!! Or write a check and then cancel it after you get the car. Get a lawyer to defend THAT -- you can win THAT case.
... My current mechanic also organizes a local Porsche club and is truly excited to just chat about cars all day for fun. I'm fairly certain I have one of only 2 993s in my city.
THAT's the kind of mechanic you want, BUT unfortunately, they are exceedingly rare!
Maybe in my 30 years of owning Porsches (and 6 of them), I know of ONE.
Thanks very much for the input. I don't think I am ready to burn my bridges and head towards litigation just yet but definitely feel more empowered to get on them about the delay. The shop has a good local reputation and I was wondering if my non-regular status was holding things up. There should not be much work left to do on the car at this point, will certainly post a quick update with any developments.
Happy not to derail this usually generally relaxed and positive thread much further. If anyone else would like to share insights or opinions, please feel free to PM me.
Used my new Durametric tool on the '98 993 today and got some good news. The only fault codes were 108, a voltage irregularity caused by disconnecting the battery and some codes concerning the heat flaps and servos. I cleared the fault codes and will look further into the heat related codes.
Used my new Durametric tool on the '98 993 today and got some good news. The only fault codes were 108, a voltage irregularity caused by disconnecting the battery and some codes concerning the heat flaps and servos. I cleared the fault codes and will look further into the heat related codes.
I have an enthusiast Durametric. What can I do on my 993? Previously I had more recent cars where all I could really do was read codes/overrevs.
As far as the car, I replaced my front hood struts today! Pain in the butt, but I survived.
Last edited by ToasterThief; 10-03-2020 at 08:45 PM.
09-28-2020, 11:55 PM
