Clutch return and coolant leak

Evening all,

[FONT=calibri"]Evening all, [FONT=calibri"]Just back from a minor service, with plugs and brake fluid also being done. Two (separate and non related things) have cropped up today, that I could do with some advice and guidance on please folks. [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]1, OPC advised that I have a driver side coolant leak and say I should get it looked at immediately. This, I understand. Quoted 1450 for the work (inc passenger side at same time, as engine out job) Screen shot of the offending area from the video, below, where I was told the dark areas are where coolant has been leaking to. [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]I have called some Indies to get better prices, but the Indies have also suggested maybe getting all the pipes done (but I hadn't seen this video at this point, so had no idea of what/where leak was) so wondered what people thought on that, firstly. Secondly, I know it's a 'how long is a piece of string question' but how immediate would people say this job is? Bearing in mind I hadn't noticed any fluid in the garage or whilst parked elsewhere, but, I am doing My Porsche at PEC in 2 weekends time, which I imagine I'll be asked to drive a little harder than normal and don't want to have any issues. [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]2, Driving the car to the OPC today, all was good and as normal. However, driving home, my clutch pedal would not return to its normal position, and I had to flick it back with my foot. It was about an inch or so maybe from normal resting. The position it settles in, wasn't riding the clutch, but thought I could feel something if I had my foot on the pedal at that position. [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]I dont want to be that guy that guy that says to the dealer, 'But it wasn't like this when I brought it in', but, it wasn't!! [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]Is the clutch pedal fluid in anyway related to the brake fluid change, or coincidence? [FONT=calibri"]Should I be speaking to the dealer about this (if people feel its related) or can I do anything at home? [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]Thank you as always [FONT=calibri"] [FONT=calibri"]Mark [FONT=calibri"]PS I am sorry about these edits, I do not know what is going on

Took her into Autofarm today and we went over the car on the ramp. There is evidence of fluid, yes, but nothing dripping, dropping or flowig under pressure. Likelihood of pinholes from behind the clip, which I now believe to be quite common. Have decided to leave it for now, unless anyone thinks that it is worth the engine out for? I know it will need doing at some point, but with My Porsche at PEC next Saturday, it was also a rush to get the job booked in or done anywhere to be certain it would be ready on time. Clutch was trapped air (which I thought may well be the case, despite the OPC saying it wouldn't be as they use special tools to stop that, when I informed them of my issue) So, as I was already there, and was paying for AFs time today on the ramp, they did it. Should I inform the OPC that this was the cause of my non-returning clutch, or will they not care, and say I should have taken it back to them? I'm not naming them, as I'm aware of the name and shame rules, and I am not shaming, just a little disappointed really in something simple not being done quite right. Ta Mark

Sounds like you would be giving the Centre useful customer feedback in the right spirit and their reaction will tell you quite a lot about them, I'd give them the feedback in person to the right person.

HI Mark While it’s a bit hard to see from the photo (it looks like to rad return pipe connection), I might well be wrong but I would question why they say it’s an engine out job. Funny how they are always quick to come up with a price. I also cannot see how they got air into the system if they were doing the job correctly in the first place, It would seem to be a bit of incompetents on someone’s part IMHO. You may well be on a hiding to nothing but as Ralph said it’s worth a discussion and to express your disappointment. Prices compared to the standard of work at many an OPC are a joke, Stick with a good independent like Autofarm, sad to say but IMHO they will look after the customer and their car far better than 99% of OPCs. (coffee better at OPCs [ ]) Good luck and have a good day at the PEC, Andy

Thank you, Andy and Ralph. To elaborate, it's an engine out, as both AF and the OPC know the time for that, hence the prices. And it's engine out as it's the drivers side main long coolant pipe from front to rear. This pinhole/evidence of water is near the rear, maybe this photo from me underneath at AF, is better than the still I took from the OPC video. Both OPC and AF said, if any of them touch it to locate the actual hole, it could make the issue worse, so both left it. AF did spray the area with a wax, to maybe help plug it. What I suppose I don't get, is why the pipe couldn't be patched, I'm going to assume as the whole area of the pipe isn't accessible, especially from the top. AS for the clutch, it's just annoying, as the test drive should have brought it up, or even the person moving from workshop to parking area. It's been suggested by more than ome person that whoever did the brake fluid change let it run too low, whilst not paying attention, despite the OPC telling my they would have used a tool that would have negated the need for a clutch bleed as it was automatic. Either way, there was air in it, as we saw the bubbled come out when AF bled it. The centre manager has emailed me for feedback, so I'll let him have it. Also, small other things like AF pointing out that they didnt even bother to grease the frunk and engine lid catches when they were bone dry, was just lazy ad not exactly going the extra mile on a service. Maybe I just had a Poets Day techy, as it was Friday, who knows Mark

I sent the OPC an email late last week to state what I'd done, in a second opinion on the pipes as well as them bleeding the clutch and watching the air bubbles flood out with the fluid. They came back to me today as the manager was away last week and offered me a refund on the brake fluid change, or double the amount off of the coolant pipe replacement. As I'm going to do the pipes at the end of the summer, took the refund on the brake fluid. Must say, I'm pleased with the outcome (although my Merc Service Manager neighbour said it was the least they could have done), although I did pay for AFarms time, so I'm no better off, however, it was nice to have a fuller explanation of the issue from AF and my mind more at ease with it. As well as a proper look underneath and some feedback on some other points, none of which need work, but some hints and tips on maintenance and tricks I can do whilst cleaning and working on the car. Andy, enjoyed PEC and probably enjoyed it more as I was less worried about the coolant and had a returning clutch! Have just written a small bit in the What did you do with your 996 today. Happy to expand on more of it if anyone hasn't done it before. I suspect most of you have or had similar over the years. Cheers, Mark