Spuggy Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 Well, my long anticipated trip to the NC500 has not ended well. After a really enjoyable and faultless 250 mile drive up to Fort William we stopped for the night. The following day, I took to ferry to Skye and did another 100 plus miles around Skye before stopping for the night after an amazing seafood platter at Portree. The following morning we joined the NC500 at Lochcarron, intending to do the Applecross Pass before stopping at Shieldaig. Literally one mile into the NC500, as I slowed from 50mph to 30mph to enter Lochcarron village, the engine started to rattle. I thought it was a loose heat shield and just into the village, I saw a garage. The proprietor, John, was really helpful and allowed me to use the ramps to have look. The rattle was coming from the sump and sounded serious. I decided to abort the holiday and called my insurance company who immediately arranged a recovery back to North Northumberland. The recovery operator was from another Lochcarron garage and he immediately phoned me to say that if I was prepared to wait for a few days, he would lend me a car to get me home and uplift it when he had dropped the Boxster off. I took advantage of his offer and became the temporay owner of a 900cc Dacia! As we arrived at the Hotel at Shieldaig, the mighty Dacia was joined by three immaculate Boxsters , all with Belgian plates! Anyway - holiday aborted, we drove home in the Dacia, the recovery guy - Duncan Ross - brought my Boxster home and collected the Dacia. My Boxster is now at D&G Porsche in North Tyneside where they have diagnosed a failed big end bearing. As for the NC500, I have only 499 miles still to do. Drive safe friends. Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shazbot Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 As Blackadder once said "Today I made just one entry in my diary- BUGGER!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 Not exactly the words I used mate! Anyway, apart from the breakdown, the aborted holiday, and the drive home in the mighty Dacia, by far the most stressful thing was watching two coaches of passengers squeeze past my baby on the Skye ferry! Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted August 21, 2019 Report Share Posted August 21, 2019 What rotten luck, hope you soon get things sorted ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 12 hours ago, Spuggy said: My Boxster is now at D&G Porsche in North Tyneside where they have diagnosed a failed big end bearing. Another one @Jason986S good luck in whatever you choose; engine rebuild or swap, or sell as a non runner. A few here have had engines go, previously for IMS; I think they end up upgrading, so there is light at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Thanks. I am going to have the engine rebuilt and the IMS bearing done at the same time. Obviously it's not a sound financial decision but 'better the devil you know!' Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobbie Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Spuggy said: Thanks. I am going to have the engine rebuilt and the IMS bearing done at the same time. Obviously it's not a sound financial decision but 'better the devil you know!' Spug Have you considered putting a second hand engine in it? Easy enough to change IMS over during the swap. It's going to have to be a pretty thorough rebuild to get rid of all the little flakes of bearing currently floating around your engine🙁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanky Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 @Spuggy sorry to hear this, what sort of millage did you have on the engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John2000 Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 @Spuggy I was really gutted to read your news😥. In a few weeks time I'm about to do a trip up to Scotland but I'm using my motorhome to tow the boxster up and use the motorhome as a base to do trips out so at least I will be able to bring mine back on the trailer if the same happens. Having seen your Skye ferry picture I think I will try and persuade the wife to pass on that. Hope it all works out for you. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red rocket Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 14 hours ago, Spuggy said: by far the most stressful thing was watching two coaches of passengers squeeze past my baby on the Skye ferry! Wish I hadn't seen that; off on ferry to France tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigib76 Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 There is now a bridge over to Skye if you drive no need to take a ferry??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason986S Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Woah, another big end failure. You’ve joined my sad club. I opted to sell it on when broken, and tried z4’s before getting another Boxster (albeit a newer 987S) that I’m currently selling. There is light at the tunnel, and had I had cash in hand I would have rebuilt mine no doubt or regret and still own it today. My old car is now rebuilt and on it’s second owner since who is on here and happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Hi friends. Thanks for the supportive comments. My car is a 98 2.5. It's done 77k miles and has a full service history. It had a new clutch and radiators at 60k miles. Oil was changed 700 miles before failure. I have considered a second hand engine but I would always fear the consequences of another failure. I am hoping to know more when D&G get the engine apart. As for the Mallaig to Amerdale Ferry, it's a great way to access southern part of Skye and cost just £15.95 for two of us and the Boxster. Highly recommend booking as there were many people who did not get on. The coaches should have been boarded first. When I saw them behind me, I knew what was about to happen and did my best to get further to the right but was limited by a bollard. I am going back next year to have another car. I wanted to do the NC500 in my 1995 Fiat Barchetta but my wife hated the LH drive aspect. Safe driving. Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr96er Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Sorry for your troubles, Spuggy glad you’re keeping the Boxster Alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 12 minutes ago, Mr96er said: Sorry for your troubles, Spuggy glad you’re keeping the Boxster Alive. Thanks friend. I love my car - the looks, the driving experience and even the smell! I have had some major conflicts in my life and I enjoy the calm I get, simply when sitting behind the wheel of my Boxster! It may sound naff to some, but I need this car! Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr96er Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 23 minutes ago, Spuggy said: Thanks friend. I love my car - the looks, the driving experience and even the smell! I have had some major conflicts in my life and I enjoy the calm I get, simply when sitting behind the wheel of my Boxster! It may sound naff to some, but I need this car! Spug You are preaching to the converted here👍 Totally get what you mean about the smell. Something nostalgic about these old girls. Any pictures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Ken Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 In the 'old days' when a big end failed you dropped the sump, undid the offending big end and got the white metal replaced. It then required a good scraper and some engineer's blue to scrape it in to fit the crankshaft. I don't remember having to change the oil as we assumed the oil filter would catch the small bits and the big bits of white metal would drop to the bottom of the sump. If you replaced the shells and flushed the engine out with a suitable oil wouldn't that save a major expense (assuming the crankshaft is in spec.)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 Hi friend. I fully understand your viewpoint. I can recall having considered a crankshaft regrind on my 1600 Escort but then opting for a £15 replacement of a 2l engine from a Cortina. The engine was shagged, the gearbox didnt fit and ultimately it cost me hours of work. Having said that, I wish I still had the car! Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAZ Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Spuggy said: Thanks friend. I love my car - the looks, the driving experience and even the smell! I have had some major conflicts in my life and I enjoy the calm I get, simply when sitting behind the wheel of my Boxster! It may sound naff to some, but I need this car! Spug So sorry to read this and I completely understand getting behind the wheel and leaving your troubles behind you.When the sh*t hits the fan I always tell myself at least I have my little car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 14 minutes ago, CAZ said: So sorry to read this and I completely understand getting behind the wheel and leaving your troubles behind you.When the sh*t hits the fan I always tell myself at least I have my little car. Hi Caz. Many thanks for your response! Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 "The Mighty Dacia " !!! someone watches Hubnut !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuggy Posted August 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 3 minutes ago, Mike G said: "The Mighty Dacia " !!! someone watches Hubnut !!! Hi Mike I had to google that one. Spug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules74 Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 On 8/21/2019 at 9:12 PM, Spuggy said: Not exactly the words I used mate! Anyway, apart from the breakdown, the aborted holiday, and the drive home in the mighty Dacia, by far the most stressful thing was watching two coaches of passengers squeeze past my baby on the Skye ferry! Spug I would have bee guarding it against errant coat zips and finger prints!!! From that angle, the 986 looks such a classic, evocative sports car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 34 minutes ago, Jules74 said: From that angle, the 986 looks such a classic, evocative sports car. ..with fugly headlights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules74 Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 38 minutes ago, Menoporsche said: ..with fugly headlights I don't look at those bits... Cameron Diaz has knobbly knees but hey....... ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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