Rear Main Seal

What is everybodies experience wiht the incidence of a laeky rear main seal?

For clarity, which model Porsche?

Sorry. I have a 2000 996.

Prior to purchasing my 01 C2 last March, I had it checked out by a Dallas Area P'car Dealer and was told that the RMS was oozing (as opposed to dripping). I called every dealer in Texas to ask about their experience with the "new" replacement seals. I was told that, while some dealers (those in larger towns) see about one RMS a week, none has so far seen any of the new seals needing replacement. The seal was replaced under warranty. I bought the car with 8,500 miles and it now has over 11,000 (including a hot weather DE in College Station in June). From what I've learned from the Porsche owners and mechanics I've asked, the primary RMS symptom is gradual loss of oil (though I have heard of a very few reports of catastrophic, sudden oil loss, they may have been repeats of the same story). Therefore, I've religiously checked my oil level. It's been a long time since I've taken quantitative chemistry lab, but as near as I can figure, I've used about two (maybe three) molecules of Mobil 1 since I've owned it. Drive the car and have fun!!

Mine was fixed in 1999 when car was new. Been fine ever since.

When I heard about this I started to get scared as well, I almost went back and bought a 3-4k extended warranty to cover it. The truth is you'll be able to get it fixed for just over a grand. It's a gradual problem that you'll most likely do when you replace the clutch. A grand is expensive but so is everything for this car. A catback exhaust is 1k so don't worry. Just figure on replacing it when you do your clutch. People on this board make a much bigger deal about it than it really is imho. It does suck though that porsche still hasn't figured it out, but I guess that's the price you pay. I am just glad I didn't get the warranty.

Don't worry about it. The vast majority of these cars have no problem at all with the rear main seal. Never had a problem with mine nor do I know of anyone who has had to replace their seal. One car has more than 100,000 miles on it with no problem. Also, a 3.4 engine. Among the things that may contribute to a leaky seal (not just Porsche, but all cars), is storing the car without running the engine for months at a time. It is best to completely warm up the engine before placing extreme torque on the engine as the flexing of the shafts before the seal swells to maximum size can cause distortion of the seal. You should also stay away from the 0W-40 motor oil when operating in hot temperatures and use a higher viscocity oil. I wouldn't lose any sleep over the potential of a RMS leak. It can happen but the odds are that it won't.

Just had a 15,000 mile service on my 2002 C4 - dealer noted leaky rear main seal (pretty minor leak as I had never noted any leakage in garage) and replaced on warranty. Said it is a 6 hour job.

I got mine at 25K miles. Replaced with the 30k service under warranty. Leaked again almost immediately. Will probably have it replaced again this winter as the car hibernates. I have the extended warranty. I figure I'll have an engine replacement next winter with the third leak. For me, that's what the extended warranty is for: engine replacement, not just RMS replacement. If it still leaks after that, out of warranty more than 6 years from service date, I still don't think it's a biggie. Ill probably never have it treplaced by then. It's a small droplet every few weeks with no ill effects other than a dirty floor.

i noticed some oozing on the underside of my car and my tech confirmed that it was probably my RMS seeping(i haven't noticed any oil drops on garage floor). He said to bring it by and they'd warranty a new seal. i have yet to do this and probably won't until I see a drop on the floor. My car (03 coupe) only goes through about a quart every 5000 miles so it can't be that bad! However, if it is still just seeping right before my warranty ends (4/07), then I'll probably get it replaced

Whatever became of that Scouser guy who posted long and redundant RMS stories daily? Haven't seen anything from him for awhile. I have a 99 996 that has never had an RMS problem. Uber

Had 4 RMS leaks on my 02 C2 before engine replacement, all before 15,000 mi. Very nice remaned engine put in with 05 updates (whatever those are?) and software updates. The remans come without the cosmoline as they are shipped by air, makes for a very clean looking engine. No leaks in 5,000 mi and a very strong running replacement engine (I think maybe better than the one that came out). Mechanic told me on the last leak that a significant amount of oil was getting into the clutch area and given time would start slipping.