9 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHRMS leak with tranny off (pictures)
Reported or suspected cause
rear main seal
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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 report identifying 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.
Leading evidence: 'rear main seal' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'rear main seal' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check around the cooler at all' (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 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.
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
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Suggestion
Castrol's Super Clean(undiluted) would be my next try, followed by hot steam clean/power hose.
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
Would have recommended you replace the oil cooler o-rings while you were there.
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.
9 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: 20261027T053112Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Got an oil leak? It (RMS) was on my long list of things to do when I first picked up the car a year ago. Was pretty sure it was the rear main seal. With the tranny off, that became even more obvious. Did the clutch, IMS, and even air-oil separator while in there. Rear main seal wasn't doing such a good job of sealing anything. Car has about 49,000 miles. Surprised at how dirty nearly every part of the engine is. Supposed you'd never notice until you started taking things off. If only the whole engine could be as clean as the inside of the tranny is now:
Good job. Would have recommended you replace the oil cooler o-rings while you were there. $8 in parts, and not worry about them for another 10+ years. Mine were shot after 11 years and only 48k miles. Did you check around the cooler at all? Another source of mess. Looks like a MKII AOS? What a PITA getting that intake bolt closest to the AOS back in, eh?
Well, it's winter here. Had some snow a couple weeks ago, so the car isn't being driven. Also in the process of converting the front end/mirrors to 997 GT3. Body work is finished, it's pretty much ready for paint as of today. Engine work almost finished. Did the motor mounts, drive belt, plugs etc. Water pump was done at some point previously. Also did the coolant tanks previously. Recently did the brake pads, and rotors will probably be next. Did the AOS and associated hoses. Car had NGK plugs in it, which wouldn't have been my first choice, but at least shows that some time, at some point, someone actually did maintenance on it. The car was in kind of sorry condition when I got it. Abused really. Someone tried to remove the headers and stripped/broke off one of the bolts. I'm bringing it back to life. Changed out exhaust, got straight pipes fabricated, GT3 seats, momo GT3 steering wheel, center console delete, coilovers, wheels, ducktail etc. Handles quite well, but a bit rough. Coilovers are a Japanese brand which aren't really made anymore. My car was originally sold in Japan before being shipped to where I'm at now. Would like to change out suspension for something more streetable. Hiring a Philips HID setup into the OEM 997 halogen projectors. Maybe it will go to the paint shop this week, not sure.
On the subject of the filthy motor, does anyone have any suggestions? The inside of the tranny was easy because it's a smooth non-porous finish. The exterior of the motor is another story. I've tried brake cleaner, degreaser etc, and whatever the filth that is caked onto the outside of the motor, it mostly doesn't come off. I've scrubbed with Simple Green and wire brushes, doesn't help much. The entire motor is just filthy, and while I can't really see it when not on the lift, I hate filthy motors in general and would like to clean it as best as possible.
Below pictures showing cam lock tool from LN/Flat6, drive belt area, old plugs (with rear bumper and mufflers off, it's so much easier to change them), extensive body work etc.
Why spend so much? Why not buy a 997? Well it's all relative I suppose. I like the 996. The simple interior doesn't bother me. I think it reflects the nature of a sports car. It doesn't need to be complex or high tech. Loved the car from all angles except for the front. I think Porsche got it right with the circular headlights decades ago, so I swapped mine out. Not trying to build a 997 look-a-like really, just like the circular headlights more. Personal preference. Great car for the money, and I don't worry about IMS, RMS etc because it's done. I sleep quite well at night, actually =)
Looks like it's really coming along.
As for cleaning. If you've tried undiluted Simple Green and scrubbing it won't come off. Castrol's Super Clean(undiluted) would be my next try, followed by hot steam clean/power hose.
