23 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHAnother RMS or IMS leak
Leading reported evidence
Replace during what is almost always referred
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
Since these two items so close together can't tell which is leaking so both are replaced during what is almost always referred to as RMS leak repair.
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
Generally it is standard operating procedure to when a suspected RMS leak addressed to not only replace RMS wiht new/improved one (after checking crankshaft position) but to at same time apply upgraded IMS end plate with 3-ribbed seal and new micro-encapsulated bolts.
Leading evidence: 'Replace during what is almost always referred' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'these just loosened up' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check crankshaft position)' (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.
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
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
This was enough of a problem that Porsche developed a simply go/no go gage for techs to use to check location of crankshaft prior to replacing RMS.
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
They replaced the RMS, and the notes say used "go/no go tool - passed".
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
They replaced the RMS, and the notes say used "go/no go tool - passed".
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
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Suspected cause
Since these nuts were last touched years ago, several hundred thousand miles ago when tranny out for RMS repair and subsequent checks by me and others didn't see these missing I suspect these just loosened up on their own.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check crankshaft position)
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
Generally it is standard operating procedure to when a suspected RMS leak addressed to not only replace RMS wiht new/improved one (after checking crankshaft position) but to at same time apply upgraded IMS end plate with 3-ribbed seal and new micro-encapsulated bolts.
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
Generally it is standard operating procedure to when a suspected RMS leak addressed to not only replace RMS wiht new/improved one (after checking crankshaft position) but to at same time apply upgraded IMS end plate with 3-ribbed seal and new micro-encapsulated bolts.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
these just loosened up
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
Since these nuts were last touched years ago, several hundred thousand miles ago when tranny out for RMS repair and subsequent checks by me and others didn't see these missing I suspect these just loosened up on their own.
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.
23 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: 20261026T225432Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Rare for leak to appear that often. More often than not the RMS/IMS o-ring/bolts are replaced and that's that. (My 02 Boxster was treated to an RMS/IMS o-ring/bolts upgrade oh about 200,000 miles ago and both have remained oil tight since.)
There was a problem with some Boxster engines. Do not know if this applies to Carrera engines. But the problem was in some cases the crankshaft was checked and found to be out of position. If this the case the engine was replaced cause a new RMS would never remain oil tight for long. In fact, word (second hand from several techs I talked to about this) was even if one could live with leaking RMS eventually engine would suffer a mechanical failure as the crankshaft's position would deteriorate.
This was enough of a problem that Porsche developed a simply go/no go gage for techs to use to check location of crankshaft prior to replacing RMS. If gage fit, then RMS was replaced along with IMS end plate with new/better seal (3-ribber vs. single o-ring) and micro-encapsulated bolts.
If gage didn't fit, then engine was replaced.
If RMS leak not very bad and in most cases they are not, I'd probably leave it for a while. 'course, not everyone can stand a leaking engine. (I like to think I could but probably couldn't.) My 02 Boxster's RMS only leaked once maybe when left car parked for a week or so while I was away in other car. That's the longest the car had sat unused since I bought it months before the leak appeared.
You can try several things to maybe alleviate the leak: Change oil. Fresh oil more viscous (oil over time gets contaminated with water/unburned gas and this works to make the oil thinner and more likely to seep past marginal seals) and this could be enough to turn the RMS leak tide.
Be sure you do not overfill engine with oil. A few bars below max with engine up to temperature plenty of oil.
Consider using a different multi-grade oil. Instead of using say 0w-40, try 10w-40, or 5w-50. You still want to stick with an approved brand and grade of oil.
Be sure RMS is culprit. Might be from some other location and masquerading as RMS/IMS leak.
Sincerely,
Macster.
I find it hard to believe that these types of issues have gone on for so long. It's a shame to have to read all the things to look out for when buying a used Porsche. Head studs, chain tensioners, IMS failures, etc. They are lucky their product is so good in other areas as to get away with this!
Should have added you might consider driving car more. If car sits unused long periods of time RMS and other seals/gaskets dry and leaks almost certainly to happen.
Sincerely,
Macster.
Thanks - that is very useful to know. I just purchased my 04 C2 Anniversary Edition car, and in the service notes it mentions that "Customer complaining of oil leak - RMS". They replaced the RMS, and the notes say used "go/no go tool - passed". I assume based on your notes that they replaced the RMS with this new version 3-Rib and those bolts. Good to know - hopefully there won't be a repeat RMS leak in this car.
Have all of the repairs been done at the same dealership? If so, I would say this indicates a negative trend and I'd investigate having the correct repair done correctly someplace else.
Also, isn't there a 2 year warranty on parts and labor when repairs are made at the dealer? If they keep 'fixing it' and it continues to fail, you while inconvenienced and ridiculous, you should not be out of pocket at all.
GL and please keep us posted.
So 'warranty' repairs are not subject to the parts and labor warranty? Only repairs
you
pay for? I would follow up with PCNA on that; that sounds silly. Have whomever you talk to ask them to send you this
policy
in writing if its not already clearly defined in the CPO documentation.
If there is a clearly documented history of repairs not done correctly, how can they expect you to pay for the 2nd or 3rd attempt?
RMS and IMS seal are two different animals. The RMS (rear main (bearing) seal is presses into crankcase around rear of crankshaft.
IMS is intermediate shaft and if it leaks it leaks from around the end plate that bolts to rear of engine crankcase, directly under crankshaft.
Generally it is standard operating procedure to when a suspected RMS leak addressed to not only replace RMS wiht new/improved one (after checking crankshaft position) but to at same time apply upgraded IMS end plate with 3-ribbed seal and new micro-encapsulated bolts. These bolts treated with thread sealer that seals bolt threads. These bolts thread into holes that extend into enginecase cavity and oil can seep past threads and mimic an RMS leak.
In fact, some believe IMS oil leak from around old single o-ring or improperly treated bolts responsible for more RMS leaks that leaking RMS. Since these two items so close together can't tell which is leaking so both are replaced during what is almost always referred to as RMS leak repair.
Now newer model cars might come with new/improved IMS end plate with better 3-ribbed seal and micro-encapsulated bolts so only the RMS is replaced. My car was O2 Boxster and it's appearance predated availability of the new/improved IMS end plate and its superior 3-ribbed seal and sealed bolts.
Sincerely,
Macster.
We're not talking about some hypothetical never driven at all car, we're talking about (I suspect) an infrequently driven car based on the fact many Porsche car owners use their cars infrequently. As one tech who returned from DFI engine training told me in Europe Porsches are bought to be driven while in USA they are bought to be stored.
Sincerely,
Macster.
A loose bolt would certainly call into question the quality of the work done at the shop that left the bolt loose.
OTOH, I have found at least 2 studs missing their nuts these studs are the ones the metal stiffener tray bolts to at the rear of the car (Boxster). Since these nuts were last touched years ago, several hundred thousand miles ago when tranny out for RMS repair and subsequent checks by me and others didn't see these missing I suspect these just loosened up on their own.
Therefore a loose bolt might just be loose from normal vibration/heat expansion/contraction.
Also, that the bolt/nut was still present indicates it was not loose to begin with or I would think the nut would have fallen off and eventually the bolt would have dropped away too by now, unless you tell me you just got car back from shop a short while ago.
Sincerely,
Macster.
If your car driven frequently, on a semi regular basis and oil leak appears at various times, not just when car sits unused then leak probably not from dry seal due to lack of use but from well a leaking seal.
The only time I noted any oil under my car was after car had sat unused for a week or more while I was away in my other car.
Before and since car has received almost constant use, daily use, earning a day off when I take second car out for the day or once in a while -- couple of times a year take second car out on week long road trip - or once a year ago last April when I was overseas on business for 16 or so days.
As for this Phil's car not getting driven at all... I don't understand the reasoning behind buying such a fine driver's car and letting car sit. Who is Phil saving those miles for?
Sincerely,
Macster.
The dealer told me that there are very few garages in Germany, and the cars get dirty and treated just like a Ford Taurus would be treated in the States.
