Is there a final fix for RMS leak that cures the problem?

[jrthe1]

I purchased a 02 C2 Cab 6 speed with 22k miles about 2 month ago from a private party. I knew about the RMS issue with 996's but pulled the trigger anyway on this 02 as it has low miles, all the options I wanted, the right color and in mint condition. My wife and I absolutely love the car.

The previous owner said the car was dry and my hands and knees inspection showed no apparent leaks prior to purchase. I noticed a dime sized spot of oil on the garage floor yesterday and can see a drop of oil hanging from like a bolt head to the left and forward of the oil filter about mid engine.

I read the Under Performing Oil Seal article.

1. Does anyone have a photo of a typical RMS oil leak on a assembled motor still in car?

2. Is there a final fix that eliminates the problem once and for all?

3. Could this be someting other than a RMS issue? I've driven the car 1500 miles with no change in dipstick oil level. Using synthetic Castrol 15W50 oil.

4. If this is an RMS issue, do I need to attend to it immediately? Will it get worse with time or miles driven? This is a fair weather, winter stored, summer vehicle that will be driven approximately 4K miles yearly.

Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[BruceP]

If it was my car, I would have it looked at soon. IMO, the RMS is not normally something to freak out about. It's just a leak, and the newest seal, properly installed, is very good. But from what I've seen in my little corner of the world, rear main seals don't fail suddenly. To go from dry to some 'sweating' is one thing, but to go from dry to dripping oil calls into question whether it's actually the RMS at all.

Lots of things can cause oil leaks on this car (I've enjoyed three different kinds myself, plus an imminent IMS seal failure caught in the nick of time), and where you see the oil isn't always where it's actually coming from. Most are not scary, but if I were you I'd want to know.

[1schoir]

...

1. Does anyone have a photo of a typical RMS oil leak on a assembled motor still in car?

.....

Thanks.

Here is a photo of a leaking RMS with engine undisturbed that had been posted by Tool Pants in 2004. It's from a 2000 986 with a 2.7 engine.

Regards, Maurice.

[jrthe1]

If it was my car, I would have it looked at soon. IMO, the RMS is not normally something to freak out about. It's just a leak, and the newest seal, properly installed, is very good. But from what I've seen in my little corner of the world, rear main seals don't fail suddenly. To go from dry to some 'sweating' is one thing, but to go from dry to dripping oil calls into question whether it's actually the RMS at all.

Lots of things can cause oil leaks on this car (I've enjoyed three different kinds myself, plus an imminent IMS seal failure caught in the nick of time), and where you see the oil isn't always where it's actually coming from. Most are not scary, but if I were you I'd want to know.

Thanks BruceP for your input. How many miles did your car have when you caught the immenet IMS seal failure? Doesn't the engine/transmission have to be separated to verify? Was that caught when fixing RMS or perhaps a clutch replacement?

I have read that a RMS leak could be lived with until clutch replacement time as long as oil level is monitored.

[BruceP]

If it was my car, I would have it looked at soon. IMO, the RMS is not normally something to freak out about. It's just a leak, and the newest seal, properly installed, is very good. But from what I've seen in my little corner of the world, rear main seals don't fail suddenly. To go from dry to some 'sweating' is one thing, but to go from dry to dripping oil calls into question whether it's actually the RMS at all.

Lots of things can cause oil leaks on this car (I've enjoyed three different kinds myself, plus an imminent IMS seal failure caught in the nick of time), and where you see the oil isn't always where it's actually coming from. Most are not scary, but if I were you I'd want to know.

Thanks BruceP for your input. How many miles did your car have when you caught the immenet IMS seal failure? Doesn't the engine/transmission have to be separated to verify? Was that caught when fixing RMS or perhaps a clutch replacement?

I have read that a RMS leak could be lived with until clutch replacement time as long as oil level is monitored.

Your last statement is correct. A run of the mill RMS leak is not fatal as long as you don't care about your driveway. You could wait until it's clutch time, if that's what it is.

My car had about 57,000 miles on it when the IMS seal failure was found. Yes, you have to separate the engine and transmission to see it. We only found it, ironically, because I was putting in the LN IMS bearing retrofit as a preventative measure. Here's a pic of what they found. This transpired over the last 8,000 miles or so, since I had the clutch done at that time and there was no sign of this. When they pulled it apart, they also found that the shaft was filled with oil, which is a bad sign.

Edited July 14, 2009 by BruceP

[jrthe1]

If it was my car, I would have it looked at soon. IMO, the RMS is not normally something to freak out about. It's just a leak, and the newest seal, properly installed, is very good. But from what I've seen in my little corner of the world, rear main seals don't fail suddenly. To go from dry to some 'sweating' is one thing, but to go from dry to dripping oil calls into question whether it's actually the RMS at all.

Lots of things can cause oil leaks on this car (I've enjoyed three different kinds myself, plus an imminent IMS seal failure caught in the nick of time), and where you see the oil isn't always where it's actually coming from. Most are not scary, but if I were you I'd want to know.

Thanks BruceP for your input. How many miles did your car have when you caught the immenet IMS seal failure? Doesn't the engine/transmission have to be separated to verify? Was that caught when fixing RMS or perhaps a clutch replacement?

I have read that a RMS leak could be lived with until clutch replacement time as long as oil level is monitored.

Your last statement is correct. A run of the mill RMS leak is not fatal as long as you don't care about your driveway. You could wait until it's clutch time, if that's what it is.

My car had about 57,000 miles on it when the IMS seal failure was found. Yes, you have to separate the engine and transmission to see it. We only found it, ironically, because I was putting in the LN IMS bearing retrofit as a preventative measure. Here's a pic of what they found. This transpired over the last 8,000 miles or so, since I had the clutch done at that time and there was no sign of this. When they pulled it apart, they also found that the shaft was filled with oil, which is a bad sign.

BruceP, thanks again. My leak looks nowhere near as bad as the photo provided by Maurice. Thanks Maurice.

The oil spot on my garage floor is dime sized. I spotted an oil drop hanging off the bottom of the engine on something like a bolt as described in my original post about a week ago. I wiped it off along with some 7 years of road grime and now the drop makes it to my garage floor. This could have been weeping or sweating/leaking for some time and cleaning the area may have given it a better pathway to allow gravity to take hold.

You are still not convinced this is an RMS issue and neither am I but it could be. I will take it to the Porsche dealer or local independant who is a PCA member, or maybe both to get an opinion. I will advise.

Thanks.

[cosorio]

99% and you should hope that it is an RMS leak because another possibility is a case leak which is infinitely worse as you would have to split the case just to reseal. An RMS isn't too bad of a job: drop the tranny, remove the clutch and flywheel and you're right there.

[tjbrum]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a 996 after just selling my C32AMG. I found a 99 with low miles and the options and color I like. The owner told me that when he took the car for service in January 09, the dealer found a small transmission leak but didn't recommend doing anything about it. From the research I have done, it must be the dreaded RMS leak or maybe the IMS leak, I don't know. Given this information, would any of you go forward with the purchase or continue to look for one without the leak?

Thanks so much and sorry about hijacking the thread. i couldn't figure out how make a new post.

[txhokie4life]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a 996 after just selling my C32AMG. I found a 99 with low miles and the options and color I like. The owner told me that when he took the car for service in January 09, the dealer found a small transmission leak but didn't recommend doing anything about it. From the research I have done, it must be the dreaded RMS leak or maybe the IMS leak, I don't know. Given this information, would any of you go forward with the purchase or continue to look for one without the leak?

Thanks so much and sorry about hijacking the thread. i couldn't figure out how make a new post.

I would offer the guy $1000 less than what you planned -- then take that money and get the LnEngineering IMS retrofit with it!

m

[mobil1nsx]

I Have a 2002 C4S and last year (early 08) the Porsche dealer noticed oily engine during routine oil change and diagnosed RMS (44K miles). I keep a sterile garage and never even noticed a drop on the floor. Since it was still under after market dealer warranty, they replaced the seal for small decuctable and offered a new clutch kit R&R for parts cost only. One year and less then 2,000 miles later, I know have a pronounced 25cent drop of oil from RMS. It was nice getting a clucth for $800 but I traded it out for a more pronounced RMS leak. I will take it back in for oil change here shortly and see if they offer any warranty on thier work or seal...This is my 5th Porsche and 3rd Ferrari and they all seeped some fluids.