I have been unfortunate enough to have my over serviced, pampered and prevention maintained car suffer unexpected engine failure. At 36k, running at low revs at a steady and constant 30-40mph the minorist of hesitations was felt that I'd describe as it felt as though a millisecond of fuelling held back. Moments later I then heard over my stereo what sounded like drive belt noise (the minorist of tapping sounds like a wet belt) which moments later turned into a loud mechanical clanking. The engine was immediately stopped and the car was recovered.
Once stripped down below the pistons swarf is prevalent. All the liners are scored, the pistons scored, the No.4 conrod shell bearings have disappeared (now swarf) and the no.4 conrod is a mill out, visibly ovalled. The crank is written off.
The car had a scavenging oil pump replaced under warranty (Warrantywise , thank you!) at 33k by Sheffield OPC who reported no engine issues at this time. There is no history of wear from regular checks of oil, no metallic matter in the oil and the car has been subject to a scheduled service at 34K (full service history and over serviced mileage wise at Porsche OPC's & Specialists) and the car was seen again Jan 18 for a warranty job on MAF's with no warning lights, no diagnostic indications, no rev range alerts etc etc at £36k. Just sudden and catastrophic engine failure in May 18 with only miles more on the clock, still in the 36k mileage range.
Does anyone know of any circumstance of a maintained 997 turbo at such low mileage (or any mileage ) failing like this?
To add insult to injury ( the repair estimate is £28,000) Warrantywise, who I would describe as being exceptional for the previous 3 years have been with them have assessed it - an "independent assessor" who came, looked and decided with no service or maintenance history available to him that this was not sudden engine failure and was in fact due to "wear and tear of shells" leading to gradual engine failure. Not the result I expected nor expected and to my mind completely wrong and an attempt to dodge a ceiling claim of £5K. The fact the "assessor fails to mention a shell has completely left the building which is fundamental to the presence of swarf that has caused sudden damage and not slow wear that no one could attribute as there is no history of contaminated oil, component wear, poor running, diagnostic indications, in fact no warnings at all yet they conclude wear and tear.....on a over serviced 997 Turbo engine with a bullet proof reputation.
I have of course appealed this finding and to Warrantywise's credit they have responded quickly to my complaint and challenge of the integrity and diligence of their independent assessor. They disarmed themselves in the first instance as their dates and mileage was recorded incorrectly and they referenced the MAF dates and mileage in my engine claim which was shoddy admin and poor service given the value and importance of the claim.
I will be sure to post the outcome as I will not accept a finding of "wear and tear" on a 36k engine with a service history that it has to its name. Troubled times from Warrantywise who have to date been exceptional. They can still come good and I hope for me and their reputation that they do. I have posted positive feedback previously about their service......I will be sure to extensive post negative feedback if they shy away from their responsibility. Watch this space.
Once stripped down below the pistons swarf is prevalent. All the liners are scored, the pistons scored, the No.4 conrod shell bearings have disappeared (now swarf) and the no.4 conrod is a mill out, visibly ovalled. The crank is written off.
The car had a scavenging oil pump replaced under warranty (Warrantywise , thank you!) at 33k by Sheffield OPC who reported no engine issues at this time. There is no history of wear from regular checks of oil, no metallic matter in the oil and the car has been subject to a scheduled service at 34K (full service history and over serviced mileage wise at Porsche OPC's & Specialists) and the car was seen again Jan 18 for a warranty job on MAF's with no warning lights, no diagnostic indications, no rev range alerts etc etc at £36k. Just sudden and catastrophic engine failure in May 18 with only miles more on the clock, still in the 36k mileage range.
Does anyone know of any circumstance of a maintained 997 turbo at such low mileage (or any mileage ) failing like this?
To add insult to injury ( the repair estimate is £28,000) Warrantywise, who I would describe as being exceptional for the previous 3 years have been with them have assessed it - an "independent assessor" who came, looked and decided with no service or maintenance history available to him that this was not sudden engine failure and was in fact due to "wear and tear of shells" leading to gradual engine failure. Not the result I expected nor expected and to my mind completely wrong and an attempt to dodge a ceiling claim of £5K. The fact the "assessor fails to mention a shell has completely left the building which is fundamental to the presence of swarf that has caused sudden damage and not slow wear that no one could attribute as there is no history of contaminated oil, component wear, poor running, diagnostic indications, in fact no warnings at all yet they conclude wear and tear.....on a over serviced 997 Turbo engine with a bullet proof reputation.
I have of course appealed this finding and to Warrantywise's credit they have responded quickly to my complaint and challenge of the integrity and diligence of their independent assessor. They disarmed themselves in the first instance as their dates and mileage was recorded incorrectly and they referenced the MAF dates and mileage in my engine claim which was shoddy admin and poor service given the value and importance of the claim.
I will be sure to post the outcome as I will not accept a finding of "wear and tear" on a 36k engine with a service history that it has to its name. Troubled times from Warrantywise who have to date been exceptional. They can still come good and I hope for me and their reputation that they do. I have posted positive feedback previously about their service......I will be sure to extensive post negative feedback if they shy away from their responsibility. Watch this space.
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