35 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHDreaded Oil Leak
Leading reported evidence
Replace rms
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
In both cases, I ultimately ended up replacing the RMS.
Leading evidence: 'Replace rms' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'most knowledgeable person in the industry' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend "no" engine starts and i'm waiting' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Replace twice, clutch, pp and flywheel done at 35k
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
My car has ~60k miles on it, has had the RMS replaced twice, clutch, PP and flywheel done at 35k.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
OP, you have every right to contact who you believe is the most appropriate person for advice, be it the high school kid in Jiffy Lube, or in your case probably the most knowledgeable person in the industry on these engines whom happen to be in your neck of the woods, he IS the Subject Matter Expert, the rest of us are (mostly) just enthusiasts with an opinion.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Jake recommended "NO" engine starts and I'm waiting on a tow truck for transport up to Flat6.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
most knowledgeable person in the industry
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
OP, you have every right to contact who you believe is the most appropriate person for advice, be it the high school kid in Jiffy Lube, or in your case probably the most knowledgeable person in the industry on these engines whom happen to be in your neck of the woods, he IS the Subject Matter Expert, the rest of us are (mostly) just enthusiasts with an opinion.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
35 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T105141Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I have a 2002 911 C4 and on Friday my wife noticed an oil spot on the garage floor. I emailed Jake Raby, as fortunately I'm local to Flat6 Innovations. Jake recommended "NO" engine starts and I'm waiting on a tow truck for transport up to Flat6. My car has ~60k miles on it, has had the RMS replaced twice, clutch, PP and flywheel done at 35k. I haven't done anything with the IMSB, AOS or water pump. I'll keep everyone posted on the diagnosis and recommendation.
Note: So far Jake has responded to me personally three times over the weekend....and I have a sense that Flat6 will give a professional recommendation.
Seriously? You think it might be a good idea to see where the drip is coming from? Are you really this helpless and clueless about the 996? If so, you have no business owning one.
I second that statement KK.. This guy must have more money than Common Sense.
Note: So far Jake has responded to me personally three times over the weekend....and I have a sense that Flat6 will give a professional recommendation. RMS replaced twice????
You are dead right he will. Jake didn't have far to look to see you coming did he? You must be a DIY man from all the great vehicles you have owned in the past.
Really guys ? Are you each that weak you can't give advice without personal attacks on the OP and Jake ? That's just juvenile bullying.
To the OP. With all The FUD I'm not surprised at your abundance of caution. That being said, a few questions : noise ? When you parked was all good ? Any unusual behavior ? Sure it's oil ? Do you know how to tell diff in various fluids on the ground ?
I get your fear, $19k loss on my last 996 has me ****ing paranoid too.
Every 911 I've owned had a DNA link to the ExonValdez. Ignore the baiters and share what you know please.
Advice on what? Did he ask for the advice?
He makes a post that after ONE drop of "oil" (unspecified oil type, and unspecified location ffs!) on the floor he immediately e-mailed Flat6 and than was in contact with Jake THREE times over the weekend. Jake advised him to tow the car. Don't get me started about his last sentence.
If this is not fear mongering, I don't know what is. OP makes no comments about car running poorly or having any symptoms prior to this grave discovery on his floor. Now, noobs who read this forum will see this and wonder if they have "dreaded" oil leak and should they stop driving and tow the car.
On the side note, I sneezed today. I called my doctor and he said I should call 911 and report to ER immediately. I already took antibiotics
.
So got your remarks - KrazyK and Hurdigurdiman. I appreciate your comments ... not sure I was asking for your advice, but thanks.... I don't plan on selling the car, I don't believe you have to be a mechanic or rich to own a Porsche. Properly maintained and attention to detail can go a long way to heading off potential issues which is what I'm doing. I think it's a pretty good investment of $125 towing to have a free analysis done on an 11 year old car by a Porsche expert.
Holy Cow! Talk about two extremes... I agree that the concern over a drop of oil and the response to "not start the car and tow it" seems a bit over the top (maybe I'm missing something here?), but the response to the post seems just as extreme. I'm new to the Porsche thing and this forum - tough crowd!
You aren't missing anything. It appears that there are 996 owners that are very cautious with issues, and that there are others that do not stop driving for a single drop of oil, or even crunching noises coming from their engine.
Given the 996's history with RMS seals, if every owner parked their car for a drop of oil there would be many, many sub 10k mileage cars.
hahaha take no notice of us fellows. Our remarks not only highlights the thread but adds some joviality to what could become a boring oil drip thread. I am just waiting for when Jake tells him that he needs a full engine rebuild. Then the **** will really hit the fan hahaha. Who did the other two RMS replacements? A Porsche expert? Jake? hahaha. After those last questions, this is going to become an extremely lively thread.
And here is the killer:-
I haven't done anything with the IMSB, AOS or water pump. I'll keep everyone posted on the diagnosis and recommendation.
Note: So far Jake has responded to me personally three times over the weekend....and I have a sense that Flat6 will give a professional recommendation.
I have a sense that 3 jobs will be done on this visit even if they have nothing to do with an oil drip. lol. ABBA "Money money money. It's a rich mans world... Lighten up everyone.
Am I missing something here? Your wife "noticed an oil spot on the garage floor" and you're having the car towed away?
Man, if your wife sneezes do you call an ambulance?
My last response on this thread. I agree that we don't want a lot of drama around another oil drip.
The oil spot was about 1/2 quart and there were no noises.
OP starts with "my wife noticed an oil spot on the garage floor". Later adds "The oil spot was about 1/2 quart."
That's not an "oil spot". That's a puddle.
Thus is gonna get interesting. KK, Hurdi and maybe JR in the same thread. Subscribed.
Seriously, to the OP, I have had "drops" of oil from my 996 that ended up being less than $500 repairs. I have never had a puddle. Hang in there and keep us posted.
Is there a law that I missed somewhere that says every P car owner must be mechanically inclined and competent to know exactly what to do him/herself upon purchasing of the P car?
Some folks are more capable than others in assessing themselves the next course of action when an anomaly is noticed, others chose to go to the experts, and there is no better M96 engine expert than FSI in Atlanta area where OP is located.
I'm REALLY turned off by those who screams up and down anytime another person doesn't do exactly what they would have done themselves, as if they are the know-it-all, oh wait, that's pretty much who they are.
OP, you have every right to contact who you believe is the most appropriate person for advice, be it the high school kid in Jiffy Lube, or in your case probably the most knowledgeable person in the industry on these engines whom happen to be in your neck of the woods, he IS the Subject Matter Expert, the rest of us are (mostly) just enthusiasts with an opinion.
I have yet to hear one case where someone heeded to FSI's input after paying a nominal fee for the initial inspection, went ahead with the work, and not be 100% satisfied with the work afterwards. And IIRC, FSI has turned away work if it wasn't necessary.
Anyway, time will tell how this pans out.
For some of us its just simple economics. If you have the tools, the knowledge, and a decent work area why the heck do you need an "expert" for every single thing that goes wrong with the 996?
Given the nature of the 996 and its laundry list of problems (or potential problems) why in Gods name would anyone but a competent DIY'er even own one?
His first post was certainly a little misleading. A more productive post would have inlcuded symptoms, pics, etc. What exactly was the point if he didnt want opinions?
OP did NOT ask for opinions, all he said was he will share the findings with the 996 forum.
Yet the first 3 responses to his original post were nothing less than snide comments and bashing his inability to diagnose the problem himself.
I've done EVERY piece of work myself since getting my car 2.5 years ago, brake rotors, brake pads, brake fluid, exhaust system, plugs, coils, water pump, thermostat, coolant flush, I am only glad I have the ability and the tools to do that myself so I can enjoy the car more economically, nothing more almighty.
I would never bash another P car owner for not able to work on the car themselves, and don't understand the logic of why some do.
You know what they say about opinions are like @$$holes, everybody has one. ;-)
Attacks were 2nd two posts and it was Hurdi and KK they make Ben Choi look mild.
OP you just got hit with the resident curmudgeons.
I tend to agree with street rod:
Spot = Size of a quarter
Puddle = Size of a Frisbee
Koi Pond = 1/2 quart on the floor
These replies crack me up. God forbid someone is cautious with a car...
I do a LOT of diy stuff on cars. Ive built a few racecars, and my wife and i have done a full frame off resto on a vintage convt. I have a lot of tools, some space, and at least average diy abilities. The car we restored has won or placed in many shows, incl natl concours, so its probably done to a high level by objective measurement.
If i came out and saw a puddle that size under my c2, id look for the source, and then call someone (assuming its not something obvious, like a cracked oil filter housing) Sometimes the tradeoff is time, sometimes money, sometimes pure risk...
OP, please let us know what flat 6 finds out.
We all make mistakes, how you handle it afterwards makes all the diference. In the alternator case it was put on youtube but without any of the background info.
I've had oil on the garage floor twice since I've owned my 996. In both cases, I ultimately ended up replacing the RMS. It hasn't leaked in the last ~50K miles (hasn't leaked motor oil anyway). Based on the size of the oil leak that the OP experienced, I'd be worried too. That's quite a bit of oil. Mine was never more than a few spots.
