21 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
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YOUR RESEARCHI think I have a RMS leak...
Reported or suspected cause
indeed common
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported cause
A simple search on the net will even confirm that this problem is indeed common to these vehciles.
Leading evidence: 'indeed common' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'indeed common' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace plastic and rubber parts' (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.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
They replaced the plastic and rubber parts, tightened the bolts and two months later still no repeat.
Tighten bolts and two months later still no repeat
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
They replaced the plastic and rubber parts, tightened the bolts and two months later still no repeat.
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Suggestion
The ammount of oil used up in an RMS leak is so minimal that you would probably use more on a hard run.
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21 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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I think I have the dreaded RMS leak. I pulled my 2003 C4S out of the garage yesterday and there it was�.the oil spot!! Between the wheels and a little toward the back. I only have 4K miles on the car. I will take it in this week to see what the diagnosis is. I know it has happened to many of us before, but I am sick at the thought of a potentially expensive weak link after the warranty runs out. Should I gat an extended warranty? I though I read somewhere that Porsche fixed the RMS problem in the 2003 model�s.
Sounds like the rms leak, thats how I discovered mine. I will definetely always have an extended warranty with my Porsche. Would recommend to all, I mean the rms ring is a 2 dollar price of rubber, but the labor to fix it is prohibitive, involves taking out the gearbox.
Don't feel too bad, they'll fix it, u'll have it back in a couple of days and you'll feel fine.
Well, depending on what the coverage cost. Since a RMS rreplacement is in the 7-800 range, you would need to make a decision based on that and many non-PCNA waranty companies DO NOT cover seals.
Hi Andy,
I truly believe that Porsche does not want to fix the RMS issue. Kind of like legalizing marjiana, too many people would lose their jobs.
I find it hard to believe that with their engineers and technology that they couldn't remedy this issue years ago.
Very sad, and I have not had the RMS yet, but I'm sure it's coming.
Cortland
The RMS leak is very common to many high end sports vechicles such as ferrari and Mercedez from what I have discovered. Don't know what exactly the problem is and why it effects high end cars? I do not know if the problem is that fixable, given the fact that it effects so many vehciles. If any one could answer this question, I would be grateful.
Cheers and safe driving.
Dumb question, but here goes. I have a 2003 C4S with Tiptronic. I havn't noticed the RMS with cars that have Tip. Does it make a difference or am I just widhfully thinking?
Thanks, David
The pepper engine is a hybred wet sump/dry sump configuration. Pressure is in the dry sump to avert oil starvation at lube points, that might occur if you're off road on an extreme incline and does not produce pressure in the crankcase. The wet sump is a bath that does not exert outward pressure that would press against the rear main seal. However, there is oil pressure on the crank shaft bearings that might exert pressure on the main seal, but not enough to blow it. But that causes the leakage when the shaft is out of line.
My .02.
Do you have any data to support your assertion? The dealer I go to services Porsches, Audis, and MBs. Lots of RMS leaks on 996s, but they haven't run across any RMS leaks on the Audis and MBs.
To be fair you did state high performance cars, and most of the Audis and MBs aren't high performance. Also, this is just one dealership. Maybe other dealers have different experiences.
Not to give you false hope, just a thought...on my previous (new) BoxsterS I saw an oil spot under the engine (thinking RMS leak) and took it to my dealer for a look see. Up on the lift, the mechanic said no leak. He told me that the engines are coated with cosmoline for protection and since I just returned from a 400 mi. trip the engine was very hot and some cosmoline dripped after being parked. So far my Carrera is fine (knock on wood).
Best of luck to you.
To parrot JJ's point there are at least a couple of other things that could cause oil leaks near the engine/transmission interface (I know this because it happened to me).
In my case one of the bolts on the the cam cover (I think this was what it was) was loose. At the same time it was noted that the rubber hoses and junctions on the oil defoamer (near the top of the engine almost directly above the transmission/engine junction) was also leaking.
With the engine so hot and air blowing around in there the oil was all over the bottom central portion of the engine looking very much like an RMS leak. Even the mechanics said they couldn't be sure until the other items were ruled out.
They replaced the plastic and rubber parts, tightened the bolts and two months later still no repeat. (fingers crossed)
So I guess what I'm saying is that an oil leak isn't necessarily the RMS death sentence.
Good luck with yours!
Fast1, I do not have any evidence to support the claim. My evidence is through discussions with local high end car dealerships such as Maranello and Daytona, They only service high end sport cars and claim very easily that RMS leaks are common in the cars they service ( ie: Ferrari, Mercedez and Porshce ). A simple search on the net will even confirm that this problem is indeed common to these vehciles. I have eeven seen, through a simple search, of Honda's and Chevy having this same problem.
Cheers and safe driving.
How much oil is indicative of this problem? I mean, if you see a spot or two, there is no need to get nuts over it, but if you see a puddle, that would be a problem. How big a puddle? How much oil?
As for the amount of oil. You can have an RMS or intermediate shaft seal leak without seeing oil on the floor of your garage. One of the seals can �weep� so that the bottom of engine/transmission area is covered in oily grime but not leak enough to actually drip. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but just because you don�t see oil on floor doesn�t mean your RMS and/or intermediate shaft seal is not leaking. A quick look under the car in the engine/transmission area is a better indicator of a leak.
Typically one or two drips at most per month. Some RMS leaks never drip they just weep or smear the under side of the bellhousing. I have had both types. You should definitely not see puddles of oil.
If you do, start to panic. The ammount of oil used up in an RMS leak is so minimal that you would probably use more on a hard run. I have had 5 RMS leaks and never once had to top up my oil.
