DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Hi guys,

this is quite a long story so I give you my apologies in advance!!!
the 16th of September I brought my 993 c2 Tiptronic (‘95) to Porsche in Switzerland for a classic check. They found a small oil leak and they noticed that the windscreen washers were not working. The engine and gearbox were under warranty until the 20th of October from the unofficial Porsche dealer where I bought the car. The Porsche garage suggested to bring the car back for a engine diagnostic to find the source of the oil leak and repair the washers. They told me that they will contact the seller when they identify the oil leak and they will check if the warranty covers the work.
I cannot speak to the mechanic in charge of my car for a week. When I call they were keeping telling me that he will call me back. Finally, last Wednesday he called me. The oil leak is coming from the chain case (8k CHF reparation) and the warranty does not cover the work. I replied that I can live with that and I asked if they sort out the washers. He replied that they were working fine and I was quite surprised!
I was supposed to pick up the car yesterday but the mechanic called me in the morning!!! Big surprise! They washed the car on Thursday and yesterday morning it did not start anymore. The starter is gone! I need to replace it (1.6k bill). I don’t have much choice otherwise I cannot take my car back!!!! They do the job and I am supposed to pick up the car yesterday evening. I receive another call from Porsche in the afternoon. When I see the number I almost had an heart attack! They tell me that they run a test drive and there is something wrong with the engine. They check again the car. Spark plugs etc. They measure the voltage at the alternator and battery and the reading is 17 volts. They tell me that it might be the voltage regulator. I tell the mechanic that I am very surprised that all this is happening now and the car was fine before! He tells me that the car is 25 yrs old and these things can happen. They will check again on Monday to see what the issue is and let me know the cost of reparation. I think that they made some mess with my electrical system! What do you think? Should I complain? Should I pay? Please help!!!

1. The place you bought the car from should have fixed the oil leak. I wouldn't rely on one garage to ask another garage whether the fix was covered by warranty when they stand to get work when the answer is no.

2. I don't know how far away the Porsche centre but being there in person is generally more effective than phone calls. Make an appointment to see the overall Manager and the Service manager and tell them your concerns directly. Ask for a clear explanation of what they have done on the car and tell them you may insist on an independent inspection by someone else.

Reinforce the fact that the starter and engine problems were not there when you left the car with them. Tell them you expect more from a Porsche Centre. If they are unhelpful, tell them that you might share your problems with other Porsche people via clubs and forums.

3. If this is not fixed to your satisfaction, join your local Porsche club and form a relationship with your 993 tech guy. Put this on your club forum and any other Swiss porsche forum. Garages hate bad press.

I'm not familiar with the the 993 and not great on electrics but it may be that your voltage regulator has failed and high voltage has damaged other things. I presume on the 993 that the voltage regulator is built into the alternator? It could genuinely be a coincidence that this has happened while the car was with the Porsche garage so I think you do have to listen to what they say has happened. If you are not happy with their explanation I think you need to check Swiss law about these matters. Ideally you would be able to take the car to another proper 993 specialist who can diagnose but Porsche are unlikely to want to release the car without full payment for what they claim to have done.

Going forward I would ask around and identify an independent garage who work on older 911s and have a good reputation. Local clubs and forums are great for that.

Good luck/bon chance!

Al

Thank you for your answer. I will go there on Monday to have some additional clarifications. Despite everything can happen in a car 25 yrs old, I really don’t believe this is just a coincidence. Additionally I would expect that when you suddenly find a starter gone you check the voltage at the battery and at the regulator to understand if there is an electrical issue that caused the damage.

If the car is not to far from the dealer you bought it off, I would be tempted to have it transported to them. They may cover their own warranty, in which case receiving a call from a Porsche main dealer asking them in effect to pay for the work, may be a little to much.

Meant to add, I have purchased several air cooled Porsche’s, a couple with warranties, just serviced, runs perfectly. Everyone as required money spending on it straight away. The warranties have never covered anything that I have found wrong.
A used car dealers service can be anything from a full blown affair to the engine wiped with an oily rag. The only guarantees are, their is no guarantees. Not that I have ever bought off a Porsche main dealer, but I guess their warranty are probably pretty good, however you are most likely to paying for this in the purchase price.

Find a good independent, as already been said, by going on local to you forums, and build up a relationship.
Best of luck and don’t get to disappointed, when it’s running correctly you will love it. But it takes time and money.