Just got the new car into the driveway and found this...

Oil spots! After a minor heart attack I starting to look for the culprit. It turned out to be a relatively easy thing to track down. Now, I'm not a mechanic, but this picture seems to scream RMS. That said, I did have a PPI done by a Porsche dealership, and specifically asked them about the RMS. They said it looked fine. So either they lied or its something that started in the 1000 mile drive home. Seems like a rather large amount of oil for a new leak. So I have two questions: 1) I can not find any pictures of what a typical RMS leak looks so I am not 100% what I am looking at. Any suggestions/hints/advice? 2) If it is the RMS, should I fix it or should I wait until the clutch is gone? As far as I can tell the jury is still out on this one, but I'd like to see what the latest pulse of the RMS is. UPDATE : 5-2-2006 thanks to some helpful advice I was able to get a better picutre of the RMS. It is definately not causing the leak. I'm thinking it might be the oil seperator, but would love to hear some more suggestions.

It could be the RMS and/or the Intermediate Shaft Seal. I just had both replaced under warranty on a 2002 C2 w/31,000 miles. Grind

I use the term new loosely, as in new to me. its a 99 w/ 43k miles. I just read this: "Indeed, many owners are moving away from the prescribed Mobil 1 0040 lubricant to a more viscous product, which functions perfectly well except in the extreme conditions of persistent track or high-speed use. Most of the 160,000 996 models sold worldwide lead rather more sedate lives." Has anyone tried this?

Here is what a typical RMS/IMS leak looks like: Being that the image of your engine shows such a wet crankcase, it is more likely that it is an IMS leak rather than an RMS leak. The amount of oil on the case in your photo would suggest that this leak is more than 1000 miles old, or that seal replacement work was done, but done incorrectly. The IMS seal update has a little O ring that if improperly installed will leak a great quantity of oil very quickly. You should inquire to see if this engine has had the IMS seal update done to it. As a side note, for your 99, you should also see if your coolant tank is the original one or if it has been updated. The coolant tanks in 99s are very prone to cracking and leaking. As a side note, Those of you that are considering a used Porsche and are going to have a dealer do a PPI on the car, be sure to arrange to look under the car with the Technician to see for yourself if there are leaks. PPIs are like Chimney inspections on home sales, they are sometimes just a paperwork formality with little if any inspection done, and a way for the "expert" to make a quick buck. My opinion on the urgency to have this issue fixed, is that other than making a mess on your driveway, it will not harm anything. You might see if whoever you bought the vehicle from will provide any indemnification for this issue.

Hey, Gary! I'll bet you were doubly pissed off the day you took that pic of your RMS leak: 1) RMS leak, and 2) (but more importantly) you weren't going to be able to eat dinner off of your engine that night!

How the heck is it possible to keep the underside of your engine (and car) that clean? Tell us your secret!!!

If it makes you feel better the day I picked my car up no oil leak, after a similar distance drive home, my RMS was leaking. I had it replaced a day or two later rather than wait for the clutch. I'm just not one to let a oil leak go. Just like when I'm bleeding, I find it best to stop the flow sooner rather than later.

You need to take the picture at a different angle to determine if it is RMS/IMS related. Take more the side looking up toward the engine along the sway bar and support I marked. The little arrow points up behind what is in your picture. That is where the signs of an RMS are (where the transmission housing meets the engine housing is where the oil leaks out).

Had my 02 C4S RMS replaced recently with the latest 997 version, has anyone had this version fail?

I had mine replaced with the 997 version too and according to the dealer, they never have any problems with the 997 seal. I think it's still way too early to tell since the seal just came out late last year (or early this yr?). Just not enough miles to convince me yet...But either way RMS is not a big problem anyway unless the engine needs replacement. Just make sure they measure the "roundness" to be sure. - Ahsai

You are officially one of us..

I've had leaks from both the oil separator and RMS. Oil separator was replaced about a year and 9K miles ago. RMS was replaced about 8 months and 7K miles ago with the new 997 seal. No issues whatsoever since. So don't worry about it... and post info and pics of the car. Welcome to the "nuthouse"

First of thanks for all of the input. I will post pictures of the actual car as soon as I clean it. Let me take a better picture of the RMS first, because that is going to drive me crazy until I know for sure where that oil is coming from. The dealer that did my PPI said that the Oil Separator needed to be replaced. I have no idea what this even is. 1) Is it possible that the oil Separator could be causing this leak? 2) Where is the oil Separator located (above/below/adjacent to the RMS)? I will do that right now...expect a picture within 20 minutes

Here is a better view of the RMS. From what I can tell, it is not leaking?

From that picture it is not the RMS/IMS. The oil separator is on the top left front side of the engine and can leak oil as well. It is somewhat difficult to get at, but can be replaced.

As in something I can do myself?

De Ja Vu I went through the same experience with my last C2 the car checked out with no leaks drove from Chicago to Denver 1500 miles or so, parked the car next morning found a large oil leak under the car, sure enough it was an RMS leak.

If you have the right training, tools and equipment I'm sure you can do it. But it is not an easy job you have to bring the engine down to replace the oil separator. At least that is what was done on my car. The oil separator is part of the emissions system, in the sense that it traps the oil from the air venting out of the crankcase and returns it to the oil pan. Not sure what year your vehicle is, but usually the original warranty runs longer for emissions type issues. So who knows it may still be covered under warranty. May want to check that out. Best of luck!

I would love to have an engine as clean as Orient Express sitting in my living room just to oogle at. Sorry I geeked out for a minute.

Where do you think Gary (Orient Express) parks his P-car? That's right..... his living room!!! He has a mirrored floor so he can see the engine at all times!

Yup.. My 5th seal was the latest and greatest, Porsche could not believe it, they told me it was the first new seal they have seen that failed, New motor is getting installed when i get off my lazy *** to get it there, maybe next week. One good thing is the car is due for its 48KPH service, now with the new motor I don't have to do it!

When Gary takes his car in for service, the service techs must literally have a coronary when they put the car up on a lift. I mean, being able to see their reflection in the underside of his car?....

When I bring the car in for service, the first thing I do is make the technicians take a bath, and put on surgical gowns!

You're lucky you found a quarter next to that leak... The RMS fairy didn't leave me anything.

Looks exactly like my oil separator bellows leak...

Where are you getting the motor replaced? Pfaff?

Your leak is coming from a thing called the Oil Separator Unit. This is essentially the PVC valve for the 996 engine. It is located at the top left front of the engine. It has a little accordion shaped hose that will develop a hole in it and leak. This is especially true of the 99 models. The volume of oil, where it is coming from and how quickly it developed is an indication that this is the cause. Good news is that the hose is reachable from under the car without removing the engine (2 hours labor is average), and that there is an updated replacement hose and clamps that should solve the problem for good. This leak, unlike the RMS leak is something that should be repaired as soon as you can get it done.

D'OH Housing out of round I guess Interested to know if the new engine will feel "newer" when you drive it

Mine is so clean I'm never going to put it in the car, besides saying VROOOM...VROOOM saves on the mileage also PS gdean2323 It does not look like RMS to me that is usually between the engine and tranny on the bottom, take it in have them diagnose.

Just to clear up the confusion.

Scouser, nice to have you visiting here again! Excellent pic too! I think it should be put in all the Owner's Manuals too! It's a keeper for me, hopefully I'll never need to reference it.

Well the good news is even if you have an RMS leak I feel certain you can stop worrying about it and just think about it as a niggly PITA. If your car is within warranty then great. Just get it fixed (well so called fixed until it leaks again). Otherwise just leave it until you need a new clutch. I am still on the same 7th RMS and have done 12,000 miles on it this year. Th only thing I do out of the ordinary is change my oil and filter every 5000 miles. My 7th still leaks.....well actually this one is the best behaved so far. It doesnt drip per se, it just sweats. I just live with it and hope.....

when you get a 'new' engine, it is actually a rebuilt engine right? Also, the VIN on the engine will not match the car, so wont that result in your title saying that its a rebuilt or salvaged vehicle?

Thanks for the info everyone. I understand that the oil seperator is on the front lef top of the engine and I can see what it looks like (from company X's website). I am still wondering where it fits into this picture?

Well, at least you have the correct side of the engine, it is in the front, and you cannot see it from the engine compartment opening. Here is what it looks like on an engine that has been removed. The long shiny hose will either crack with age, or the fitting of the hose and the Oil Separator will start leaking. In your case, I would guess that the fitting is leaking.