dry sump "truth in lableing" and 3rd RMS leak 04 996

Hey all, I bought my 04 996 new last November . . . the fact that Porsche continues to print "integrated" dry sump on their window stickers is extremely deceptive . . . is it time for somone to make them answer for this? . . . Listerine just had to go out and relabel all of their product due to misleading labeling. I am also on my third RMS leak in 12000 miles and unfortunately it sounds like the dealer isn't going to do anything different than when they repaired it the other two times (check clearance and replace and "seal" studs) Finally my car smokes like a pig when I shut it down after driving "spiritedly". Unfortunately the dealer says this is normal so I'm not sure what to do . . . just in case you're wondering if this is the "normal puff" the dealers are referring to: I've been told to pull out the staging line when I was autox'ing because of the smoke meaning it continues to smoke for 2 to 3 minutes after restart . . . a reputable "independent" Porsche shop said he has seen numerous air/oil seperators fail which can cause this problem. One dealer replaced this once and the problem seemed to go away . . . I've not had the dealer fix the RMS leak especially when comments about "abuse" came into the conversation . . . this same dealer had repaired my first RMS leak but couldn't fix the broken fuel gauge . . I asked them if they had test drove the car because the fuel gauge problem was intermittent. They said they did but when I picked up the car, it had one extra mile on it . . on the paperwork they added 5 miles . . . nice feature!!!! This was really disturbing because I use to work in the automotive field . . . this lie is probably just the tip of the iceberg!!! It could of been a clerical error, but the bottom line is the "courteous" brown nosing service writer assured me the mechanic had test drove the car thoroughly . . . a different dealer fixed the second RMS and fuel gauge. Anyone know about Porsche taking cars back under lemon law after two RMS leaks? Thanks all, Sean

Smoking like a pig is NOT NORMAL unless you're at a barbeque.

How does anyone "abuse" the RMS or are they suggesting that you've been abusing the car and that caused the RMS leak three times? I would be interested in your dealer's answer to that. I don't know what Porsche's position on lemon laws and taking cars back is but I'm truly sorry for the experience you've been having with what should be a car that is nothing short of brilliant.

One of the last conversations with the dealer was somthing about some national or regional rep (aka stroker) coming to an autoX for a ride along to see if I'm abusing the car . .. I agreed to this but told them I would want somthing from the rep in writing the day of the autoX stating whether or not I'm abusing the car . . . I didn't want the rep lip servicing me and other club members and then later telling me on the phone I'm abusing the car. Because I wanted somthing in writing, no surprise I've not heard back from the dealer yet . . . almost been a week. Sean

. . . the fact that Porsche continues to print "integrated" dry sump on their window stickers is extremely deceptive . . . is it time for somone to make them answer for this? are you decieved? porsche explains it in their literature and tech manuals, not a mystery really. I am also on my third RMS leak in 12000 miles and unfortunately it sounds like the dealer isn't going to do anything different than when they repaired it the other two times (check clearance and replace and "seal" studs) time for a new engine... i can tell you from lots of miles and experience with a 996, that 'spirited' driving has no effect on the crankshaft seal. my car has never leaked, and if your rep knew what my car has been through, he'd say i am porsche abuser in the extreme

My car and most of the 996s I've seen at the track do the smoke on startup thing after driving hard. I've seen some Boxsters do this as well. So its normal in the sense that they all (most) do it, though it is a strange thing.

Yes, I am VERY DECEIVED!!!!!!!!!!! . . . all of Porsche's literature that I've read refers to this engine having an integrated dry sump . . . where in the literature does it say it is a wet sump with two scavenge pumps for the heads? I would really like to see this. Even on Porshce's website, when referring to the 996 lubricatiion system, the Porsche web site explains how racing engines have dry sump lubrication, but they fail to point out the standard 996 does not. Am I really off on this? Also, driving spiritedly . . you haven't seen the smoking issue after shut down and restart? Thanks, Sean

Smoke for 2-3 minutes? Thanks, Sean

Sean, there's an easy way to solve all your problems...upgrade to the GT3. A true dry sump, no RMS issues and no "abuse" from autoxing. If that doesn't work for you, it's time for a new motor. A little bit of smoke on startup is normal, but 2-3 minutes means there's likely a problem. A 3rd failed RMS alone should qualify you for a new one. If the dealer gives you a hard time, have a lawyer write them a letter. It used to make me nervous when my old 996 would drop the oil pressure below idle on some turns at the track (always wondered how much oil starvation it could take). PMNA makes a kit to rectify this, but it's a pain in the *** as they have to machine one of your valve covers and the parts & labor will run you at least $1500 (I think that's what I calculated when I looked into it). BK also makes a deep sump kit that's supposed to solve the problem: http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r9095.php

Get a new dealer and then repeat after me: I dont abuse the car, Ive never autoxed or DEed the car. They may attempt to negate your warranty for 'racing'.

Yeah, NEVER tell the dealer you AX or DE your car, that will end up on your service report(computer) and you will have warranty issues. If you already told one dealer, he probably recorded it already. Don't take them up on an offer to eyewiness you 'abusing' your car, no matter how innocent it seems. Live and learn.

Is this really fact or myth that the dealer won't cover you under warranty if you've been autoX'g ?. . .this dealer sponsors the autocrosses . . . their sales guy has brought cars down there for demo . . . if that is really true, it's just more lies and misleading marketing by the Porsche dealer which they will be held accountable for . . . who knows, I might run out of energy and just dump the car, or I might just have the spare time and resources to bring a serious fight . . . doesn't really sound like anyone else has yet. Time will tell . .. thanks for the info everyone!!!! Sean

BTW, I just checked out Porsche's web site and I think they've completely changed there ad campaign about the engine . . . I could not find them referring the dry sump lubrication system anywhere . . .they use to have a seperate bullet to it . . . how nice I printed it out. I'm sure legal had somthing to do with this. Sean

It states in the warranty that track use voids warranty, as with other manufacturers. However this depends largely on the dealer if he will void it or not, most won't mind unless you claim something like a burn't clucth coming from the drag strip. But normal failures that would occur in street driving as well would be covered. Again, Porsche's offical policy is that warranty is voided with track use, but its up to your dealer.

Unless you have a strong relationship with the service guys at the dealership, you never tell them you tracked or autoxed it. It's an easy out for them if they want to be sticklers about the fine print in the warranty. As for taking a PCNA rep for a drive along, huge mistake. There's no upside to doing that.

I think you should learn to drive first of all and then maybe you would not have these issues.... Robert