Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Driving on the M25 yesterday evening at about 7:15 I heard a rat-a-tat sound like something flapping in the wind. At first I thought it was something to do with my sunroof so I closed that. The noise was still there. Then I thought it was on the radio, but no. By the time I noticed my oil pressure was dangerously low and decided to pull over it was too late, I got into the 3rd lane slowing down and the oil light flashed on, there was a horrible bang and clattering sound and a big puff of blue smoke and the engine cut out. I managed to get to the hard shoulder and their was a trail of oil and a puddle forming under the car.

I then rang the RAC who asked where I was and I told them between junctions 9 and 10 travelling anticlockwise and was told someone would be with me in 30 mins to an hour. I got off the phone at 7:30. At 7:38 the RAC man rang and asked if he should arrange recovery and I said yes as it was not going to be fixed at the roadside which he agreed. At 8:15 he turns up and says he was told to come out to confirm my location as I'd said between jnc 9 & 10 and travelling anti-clockwise, apparently I should have said between jnbct 10 & 9! He then told me that the recovery people would call me in 15 mins. At 830 A1 recovery rang and a very curt lady told me they would be with me at 10 O'Clock, 2 1/2 hours after I first rang the RAC, as they were 'busy'.

My partner then came out with a jacket for me as it was getting cold standing on the hard shoulder now the sun had gone down. We went off and left the car (I know I probably shouldn't have done so) and found somewhere warm but made sure we got back to the car before 10. At 10:15 I rang A1 recoveries to be told he would be there in half an hour. At 10:26 the RAC rang to find out if I'd been recovered, I explained that I'd just spoken to A1 and the RAC said they would ring back in half an hour to confirm they'd arrived.

At 11:15 I rang the RAC as they had not bothered to ring back, they rang A1 while I was on the phone to them and came back to me and said he should be with me in 1/4 of an hour as he was stuck crawl;ing in traffic 3 - 4 junctions away. Just thgen I saw orange flashing lights pull up and told the RAC he'd arrived.

It wasn't, it was the Highways agency. They were appalled that I'd been there 4 hours by this time and rang the RAC for me, they also confirmed that they were 'unaware' of any traffic hold-ups....

They confirmed that a driver from 'On-Time' (sic) would be with me shortly. At 11:45 the driver turned up appologising and saying he'd been stuck in traffic for the past 45 mins.

End of rant!

As I have on street parking at my house he has taken the vehicle back to his base and I need to let them know where I want it taken on to this morning. So, my question is (if anyone has read this far), does anyone know a garage near Woking that could look at it for me? And if it is beyond economical repair, keep it until I can sell it on eBay? What does anyone think?

Thanks for reading.

Neil

No garages near Woking that I could advise, I'd suggest 2 that are a little way away. That'd be Northways the other side of Reading or Sussex Performance Centre, they'll all give sensible answers & decent pricing.

PS What car is it, your Profile doesn't say?

924S

Hard luck. I'm with the AA but thats too long to wait. Hope you havn't got too much in the car. Let us know what the verdict is. Sounds like a new bottem end but....... Plenty about for less than this. Unless your nuts like me & think the car is worth saving. If it is.

Camtune are in Godalming (just south of Guildford)

Although if it were me I'd take it to SPC out of choice. Andy there used to race 944's so knows his way 'round them pretty well!

Adam

Thanks for all the replies.
By SPC you mean:
Sussex Performance Cars
Unit 4 Deacons Trading Estate
Nightingale Road
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 2NW
?

I don't want to get the wrong one! The car is in pretty good nick and was running very well until this happened so I'd like someone who knows what they are talking about to advise if I'm wasting my time or not.


Thanks again for reading!

Yep they're in Horsham. They will give you a TIPEC discount too!

Adam

How about this. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290228349678&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019

Better than the usual.