911 specialist in SW London
911 specialist in SW London
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Discussion

Joe911

Original Poster:

2,763 posts

262 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
Can anyone recommend a 911 specialist in SW London that could cope with an early (1976 Carrera 3.0) car?

I have a problem with the car that I'd like someone to have a quick look at and as usual I've left it too late

The problem is - in case anyone fancies remote diagnostics - that when driving it you get gassed! Nothing visible, but a smell, and it's a bit tricky to say whether it's an oily thing, or a petrol thing, or an exhaust thing - sorry. Currently we have to drive with the windows open

Charles Ivey any good, they're just up the road?

bricklayer@freen

75 posts

269 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
gt one gets my vote
give them a ring on 01932569911

good luck

randlemarcus

13,646 posts

258 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
Not the one just up your road. My PO had a lot of work done there, and it was mostly hideously overpriced. Allegedly.

He used Camtune, out Guildford way, and swore by(not at) them

david hype

2,296 posts

279 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
Joe911 said:
Can anyone recommend a 911 specialist in SW London that could cope with an early (1976 Carrera 3.0) car?

I have a problem with the car that I'd like someone to have a quick look at and as usual I've left it too late

The problem is - in case anyone fancies remote diagnostics - that when driving it you get gassed! Nothing visible, but a smell, and it's a bit tricky to say whether it's an oily thing, or a petrol thing, or an exhaust thing - sorry. Currently we have to drive with the windows open

Charles Ivey any good, they're just up the road?


Joe, if you can limp up the M4 to Peter Tognola at Datchet, he would probably be able sort it out for you.

Call him first to check you dont have a problem that might get worse by driving it. IMHO Peter and Greg are good folk and they could probably give you a good idea of whats wrong and what it might cost, prior to you even setting out!

Good luck...

Joe911

Original Poster:

2,763 posts

262 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
Thanks guys.

I know I'm asking the impossible but I really needed someone IN SW London, rather than to the SW of London. Reason being I don't have the time to deliver the car out of town and travel back in (twice).

I've spoken to Charles Ivey (they really are very close to me) and they can take the car on Thursday - it's a real gamble as there's no time for getting parts etc. - but I've got little choice but to try it, I guess. If all I find out is what the problem is at least I'll know more than I do now.

That'll teach me not to get the problem dealt with when if first developed rather than mañana.

verysideways

10,268 posts

299 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
There's a place in London, under some railway arches i think, right near Tower Bridge.
All they seem to deal with is early 911's (like late 60's and early 70's stuff).

They advertise in 911&PW.

Hang on...

Here it is
Tower
56 Druid Street, London, SE1 2EZ
020 7357 0911

Hope this helps.

VS

verysideways

10,268 posts

299 months

Tuesday 5th April 2005
quotequote all
P.S. Sounds like it could be holed heat exchangers, no?

Joe911

Original Poster:

2,763 posts

262 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
verysideways said:
P.S. Sounds like it could be holed heat exchangers, no?

Well that sounds spot on to me (knowing next to nothing). One of the heat exchangers (there's two, right) was replaced on couple of years ago (the car does almost no miles and is garaged) - so maybe the other one has gone. The other factor that makes that a very likely scenario, is that the smell/gassing only happens when the heating is on!

verysideways

10,268 posts

299 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
Ta da!
I would have though somewhere like Tower would carry stainless heat exchangers. That way you won't have to replace them again!


VS

rubystone

11,254 posts

286 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
Yes, I was going to suggest a holed exchanger. Replacing these on an older car often entails removing the whole exhaust system as the bolts weld themselves to the components of the system, so it makes sense to replace the lot with a decent stainless set up, which also liberates more power, but is not cheap.

There's RGA in Vauxhall too - 0207 793 1447

Melv

4,708 posts

292 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
"I don't have the time to deliver the car out of town and travel back in (twice). "

Then you need:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=35588&s=301




philly

190 posts

281 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
You could also try Chelsea Carrera - they're 5 minutes from West Brompton tube.

Had a service done there and they were very thorough but not overpriced.

This....from Henry-F's website:

Chelsea Carrera Ltd Seagrave Road, London SW6 Tel : 020 7610 2326 or 07767 838001

These guys used to work for CS engineering before their demise and have now started up on their own. They can collect and deliver if required and seem to offer a well priced service. We have used them on several occasions and have been very happy.


Good luck.

Phil.

craigw

12,248 posts

309 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
Joe, charles ivey just over putney bridge (fulham side) ask for ginaro.

danww

6,914 posts

257 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
Or RGA in Vauxhall, SW8 on 020 7793 1447

They look after my 944, and seem pretty good.

Joe911

Original Poster:

2,763 posts

262 months

Wednesday 6th April 2005
quotequote all
I called round a few people and pretty much no-one could work to my unreasonable timescales. Except Charles ivey.
I dropped the car off at 11:00 and they've just phoned to say that an oil pipe is leaking onto the heat exchanger and the oil burning off is the smell/gassing.
That kinda makes sense as it did smell a bit oily.
Anyway, they're dropping the heat exchanger down to get at the oil pipe - a few hours work - apparently.

Anyway, they're on the case and know the deadline - so lets see how they do - I'll report back later

Joe911

Original Poster:

2,763 posts

262 months

Thursday 7th April 2005
quotequote all
OK - here's the report ...

Charles Ivey took the car in at almost no notice - nobody else I could find would. They were efficient and businesslike.

I dropped the car off Weds 11am and they started on it that afternoon. They called me with an update that afternoon too.

They called this morning to say it was all fixed - I picked it up 1pm today.

I collected the car, paid the bill, and the car had been washed and hoovered.

The Bill.
5 hours labour - 325 quid
oil drain tube - 25 quid
nuts/washers - 8 quid
11 litres oil - 110 quid
plus VAT

It sounds like alot of labout to me - but I know nothing about it. The oil pipe that was leaking runs into the block and apparently can only be accessed by removing the heat exchanger - which takes some time.
Was it necessary to replace all the oil, I don't know.

Anyway - the job seems to have been well done and they met my unreasoable timescales thus saving my bacon and allowing me to get the Ring at the weekend


>> Edited by Joe911 on Thursday 7th April 14:45

craigw

12,248 posts

309 months

Thursday 7th April 2005
quotequote all
yep, they always used to do a good job for me.