VR6-er

Scott thanks for this, my issue does not have a noise to it, its all in the pedal feel.

Regards,

Rik.

I also have a January 1997 that has never leaked from the rear main seal.  It seems to be a hit or miss.  Some newer cars leak and replacement motors also leak.  I think there is something wrong with the M96 design.  One day your crank is concentric to the seal and months later after the replacement seal has been installed and it leaks, it is not.  Something is moving and until PCNA or PAG lets a mechanic take a motor apart rather ship it back on a pallet....

Peter split the cases on a Boxster and I will try to get his pictures.  The new seal installer tool sets the seal farther into the crankcase housing vs. the old tool that set it flush.  Time will tell if that is the fix.  When I asked Peter why some replacement motors were also leaking he gave a reason, you do not know when the replacement motor was put together.  The new seal started production in Feb 2000 but the new tools came out around March 2003.

To answer your question.  If it has not leaked for 6 years then you are ok since it would have shown up by now.  Any seal will eventually fail from normal wear however.

My first S was a Dec 2001 built car. The motor failed completely at 900 miles it was being run in as well, absolutely no harsh treatment. My new car was built in June 2002 (warranty replacement), its going in next week for an RMS (14000 miles).

The interesting thing is you comment about the crank shaft moving around. I have an intermittent problem with the clutch pedal. sometimes its beautifully smooth, other times it feels as if theirs bubbles in the hydraulic fluid, ie sticky uneven. No one seems to be able to give me any clues on this, could they be linked?