Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Finally finished the clutch / torque tube / gearbox swap and repair. All fired up first go so off we go for a test drive at 5-00pm. 3 miles later car starts missfiring badly then cuts out. Restarts and we carry on for 500 yards then missfiring and splutters to a halt. Bugger - I suspect the crank sensor as tacho jumps up when I try and start it and the missfiring. So I'm guessing not the DME relay or ecu (fingers crossed on that one). Never mind Im right outside a pub. Go in pub and phone green flag. Estimated ETA @ 7-00pm. After repeated phone calls Green Flag turn up in a transit van at 11-00pm. (I walked home after 1 1/2 hours). The bloke is very helpful and tries to fix it (not a chance) so he says I will tow you back. He need the towing eye that came with the car. There isn't one! (was one supplied by porsche originally???). I ask if we can use his - surely he must have some industrial equivalent? Yes he does but he's not allowed to use it to tow a car in case of an accident. He can only use the one supplied with the car.

So deep breath, try to smile (rather than punch him in the face repeatedly) whilst he arranges a proper tow truck which will be..............






another three hours

so lessons learned:
1) make sure you've got a towing eye that fits - apparently thats all the recovery people use these days!!!
2) don't use Green Flag - try the RAC apparently they still have their own vans and correct kit

I'm surprised they contemplated towing it. On the two occasions I've had the AA out to the 944 they've consulted their official guide and said "Oh, I'm not allowed to tow this due to risk of bodywork damage" and then summoned a flat-bed.

Porsche supplied a towing eye as part of the car's tool kit. Since they even differ between 944 models, I can understand the bloke's reluctance to use a generic towing eye.

I agree with Glen about the towing eye, is there not one in your tool kit ?

Also, I certainly don't advice breaking down during the rush hour, have done twice and it's not recommended

I've had dealings with AA, RAC, Green Flag and insurance operated policies.
All have been great 90% of the time and all have had time problems too, it's sometimes just poor timing and bad luck.
They all also use local garages when busy but they are first come first served and you just gotta wait.
The last time i broke down in the Boxster (15 miles form home) at just gone 5pm and got home at 11:20

Of course and rightly so, in busy times they will attend lone females first, cars in dangerous locations, then families etc

It is also the responsability of the driver of the car to make sure it is checked and roadworthy, that includes checking your fluid levels, making sure you have a jack, wheel wrench and useable spare wheel and a towing eye.
Some cars do indeed have a useable spare but just have nowhere to put the much larger wheel that comes off

"Some cars do indeed have a useable spare but just have nowhere to put the much larger wheel that comes off"

BMW Z3 for instance.

It is about time this thread saw some positivity

For the first time ever I used the Green Flag over the AA since it is part of a package I have.

The issue? My Escort decided the main starter cable would melt onto the exhaust manifold:







Whilst I was worried about the battery blowing to bits or the car setting itself on fire with the cable in the position it was it seems my anguish was passed onto the call centre operator! A van arrived in 30 minutes at Sunday Midday. Upon looking at the car he decided that he would not be able to tow it so set about a temporary repair. This involved putting in temporary thinner wire routed differently to the original cable. An hour later I was good to limp the car back home. I could not complain about that.

Regarding the RAC. I did once get my S2 towed back on a flatbed which they sent out for the car, but I did also have a towing eye to hand. I did wait for over an hour mind you. On two other occasions I waited for over 2 hours before a van got to me!

Take great care if you're involved in motorsport of any description. I have had the RAC refuse to help my driver when we'd been on a road rally and broke down on the public road. I believe the AA have the same rule. Fortunately I'm with Direct Line (operated by Green Flag), and when they've passed the contract on to a local garage, the latter couldn't care what you'd been doing. I've found that you're also likely to get a guy out who can do more than just plug in a diagnostic.

Here's my two pence worth :-
I've been with the Caravan Club Green Flag MAYDAY scheme for the last 24 years - really good cover & service!
Just renewed PREMIUM UK & Personal Cover for £117 (the "Full Monty") it covers Me in any car I am in (so is good for the 3 I have!) and my wife, (or partner!), in any car she is in (driving or as a passenger).
Secondary recovery (useful when towing a caravan) eg a holiday incident left us stranded on a Sunday on the A66, Blown Water hose & total loss of coolant. Got the Disco on the low loader with the caravan in tow, dropped the van off where we store it, then dropped us at home (Lincoln), 120 + 15 mls. The following day a local recover vehicle took the Disco to a local specialist 9mls away - all part of the service, excellent - saved ££ on fuel as well!
It also covers me for a Chauffeur if I am taken ill as I am the only drive in our family.

I have had 4 breakdowns in 3 different cars in the last 12 years 2 of them on a Sunday (one was a new years day) both involved a secondary recovery (none in a Porsche thank goodness!).
Its well worth the money as someone I know said his mate had to get a 50+ mile tow home - cost £250 + an extra £50 to take the vehicle to a repairer .
Clive