Intro: First time P-Owner & Oil Leak!

Hi All, First things first. I've been lurking around on this forum for a few months and got my first P-car last month. This is a great forum. I've already posted a question about CEL and got excellent advice. Even more so, I wasn't even razzed about not including a pic. So before it starts, here's my pic (pls no busting my ***** about the wheels, I'm getting new ones as soon as I can afford). The main reason I'm writing is that I noticed an oil leak today. I placed some paper underneath and found about a quarter sized drip in roughly 4 hours. The oil that dripped on the paper is blackish color - definitely not brown colored. The area covered by oil is a approximately 1"pipe horizontal oriented pipe and the metal holder/nut that is securing it. (See pics). I've searched around the forum and saw that the black colored oil may be the dread IMS leak???? I'm a totally newb to Porsches and haven't done much work on any car in general. Advice is very very welcome! 2003 911 Cab 34K miles Under CPO warranty Thanks! Phil

beautiful !! so as for the oil leak... I DOUBT its an IMS leak... stop being parranoid your car has CPO, go to dealer, get a loan car and drive it until your car is fixed....have fun and enjoy!! IF it turns out to be an RMS leak and they have to pull the trasmission, condider trying to get additional work done (at your expense) at the same time....ie IMS upgrade and new clutch, AOS.... when does the CPO expire

That's the spot for the RMS leak. Just keep an eye on it and get it replaced while doing the clutch. or if you have CPO, you can do it now.

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+1

This is my photo when seeing one drop of oil at base of trans/eng. After LNEng IMS upgrade. RMS is the main shaft on top, IMS is on the bottom shaft. The loss of that much oil sitting sounds like the IMS. I would have them do the RMS and upgrade to LNEng IMS, and pay the difference.

I had the same leak just after I bought my car CPO. Makes you wonder if they even put these cars on lifts when going through the CPO checklist!?!?!? Anyway, it was replaced without question. If I know what I do now, then I would have had them do the clutch, AOS, and IMS bearing upgrade at the time. However Porsche may not like the IMS bearing replaced under CPO.

YES AOS too...also the oil cooler seals should be replaced too. The top left, above photo, shows oil cooler. Almost every photo I’ve see shows a leak, you can see the coolant corrosion in the top left of transmission bell housing. OIL Cooler #6 seal to replace, 4 of them.

if the oil leak is located where the engine and tranny meets, it is either rms/ims or both. CPO car... no brainer, bring it in.

Easy to figure CPOing cars that have to be repaired like oil leaks. Porsche CPO insurance takes the hit not the dealership. After having a wide variety of manufacturers cars the oil leak being a problem concept staggers my mind Nice car, I hope you are enjoying it very very much. It will haul butt oil leak or not, believe me.

Don't worry about it. Its under warranty. Have them fix the issue BTW.. Welcome! Nice ride

Thanks for all the advice! I went away for a few days and just got back and went and checked out the oil leak. Interestingly, there isn't one anymore. There is only the original spot which started this post in the first place. Thoughts? Anyways, I have a full two years on the CPO so I'll be brining it in as soon as I get a chance. There have been multiple recommendations to replace IMS and AOS if I'm going to get the RMS replaced or a new clutch. Are the IMS and AOS items that I will eventually (and sooner than later) need to replace and therefore will save money and will be easier to do while they fix the RMS/clutch? Or since I'm still at the beginning of the 2 year CPO are these something that I can have replaced with warranty? Thanks - Phil

Do it all at one time. If you come up wit something you wnt done for peace of mind like the AOS and clutch it''s going to you getting billed for the engine being pulled and that 1k or so.

Oil leaks come free with every 911 ever made all the way back to the 70's Kinda like a new baby and poop... Its just part of the package

I'd keep my eye on the 'leak', try to document with pics for the dealer, but don't let this interfere with your driving experience. You have a CPO for 2 years...sleep well at night Grasshopper.Now go out and drive your Porsche.

Hi, So, finally got the car to the dealership and sure enough it's an RMS leak. I've been advised by rennlisters that while it's being repaired to replace IMS, AOS and clutch. I spoke to the technician about replacing these items. He agreed that it would make sense to replace IMS and possibly clutch if they look worn. But he didn't think it would be necessary nor cost-saving (while the engine is down) to replace the AOS. So in the scenario in which the IMS/Clutch don't look worn - should I replace anyways because this WILL need to be done sometime in future and if I don't do know will include labor? And as for AOS, same thing, is this something that will need to be done and I might as well replace? And what about statement that it can be replaced without taking down engine? Finally, he quoted $950 for clutch. Sound about right? Appreciate all the advice and help Phil Phil

Hey Phil. They did the IMS along with my RMS. I did the clutch (and light weight flywheel but you don't need that) at the same time, but mine had a lot more miles than yours. They didn't charge me any labor costs, and I bought the clutch at Suncoast for much less. $540 right now. I've had to replace my AOS too on a separate occasion, but I don't think you necessarily have to do it now if it hasn't failed since you have the CPO. Good luck.

IMS = FOR SURE no matter the condition!!! AOS = FOR SURE no matter the condition...its $100 and 5-12 hours labor if you have to did as a stand alone job RMS - Check... the leak may actually be coming from the IMS and YOU SHOULD BE THERE when they open it so you know whats leaking since they are payiong to fix the leak! Dont assume they will say its the IMS if that is whats leaking, your limited knowledge has tipped them off that you know the RMS leaks so they will tell you that you were right....IMO $900 for clutch? or Flywheel, have the flywheel tested per the spec, replace if needed only... clutch is like $4-500 .... IIRC replace if below 50% IMO Tip or 6 speed, 2/4 wheel drive?

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The decision to replace the clutch in this case depends upon the condition of the clutch/pressure plate and flywheel and the miles on the car. If the clutch/etc is shredded, H*ll yeah replace them. If the clutch/etc looks ok and has plenty of life left (and there's a measurement of the lining thickness). Keep in mind clutch wear is not linear. A clutch that is worn half way down is not half worn out but maybe only 1/3rd to 1/4th worn out. (As an aside, I had my Boxster RMS/IMS end plate/bolts replaced at around 25K miles. The clutch looked fine but I didn't see it -- I was out of town when the car was torn down for the RMS/IMS R&R). I elected to not have have the tech replace the clutch. The other work was covered by warranty. The clutch is still going strong nearly 225K miles later.) If the AOS is not showing signs of failing then leave it alone. Sure, it could fail next month, but you get some warning. There's always a risk you replace a perfectly good part with a new part and the new part is defective. Oh, my Boxster's 1st AOS lasted until nearly 80K miles. Its replacement around that same amount. The 3rd one has around 80K miles on it. It is ok so far. Sincerely, Macster.

I suppose I would also add....if I had CPO I would not be doing those things... how much longer do you have CPO.... the IMS AOS and stuff id in hopes of having to go back in there or have a significant problem, with CPO you just drop off the car when it has a problem so maybe not doing those is OK the clutch on the other hand is always your nickel so if the condition is good, leave it... if worn the labor is free... easy choice - I am sorry to waffle but I forgot you have CPO

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how it turns out. Ivangene - CPO is until January 2013. 6 speed/2WD

so the work is the cheapest labor of any (tip and C4 both add time) I wouldnt worry anout it... fix the leak, sway the clutch if its low and be off for 2 more year worry free

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Phil, I was in a similar spot. My 03 coupe was under CPO and I had a leak. I didn't know much about the IMS bearing at the time but I was well aware of the RMS seal. My car had 36k on it when I spotted the leak. The dealer near me said they would handle it. I ordered a new oem porsche clutch kit from Sunset Porsche (as they offer great prices) and had it delivered to my house for right around $540. When I brought the car in for the RMS leak I said "when you put everything back together, use the clutch kit that is sitting in the passenger foot well." They said, "no problem." So I got a new RMS seal and a brand new clutch installed for $540. If I had only known about the IMS bearing. The AOS seems to fail at much higher mileage than you have on your car. I would ask the tech to really take a good look at it and replace it if it even looks a littel suspect. Hell, once you get all this done you will be in good shape. Happy Motoring, Jim

Since your CPO covers your Porsche, just do the RMS or IMS and call it a day until the 'next' issue.

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LOL Yes they do. Never had such an oily beast.

Remove the chorme wheels and the oil leak will stop. Porsches hate chrome wheels! Congrats on getting a nice looking 996!

Update - Dealership is replacing RMS/IMS under CPO warranty. Recommended clutch replacement - $950. I bought the clutch from Suncoast and shipped cross country overnight for $620. Getting it all done tomorrow. Thanks guys!

Late to the party I know, but congrats on the wheels... Great to hear it's worked out.

thanks for the update. i am going down the same road myself in a few weeks

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So they are installing the LN engineering IMS retrofit bearing? Is that what you mean when you say replacing the IMS? I seriously doubt they are replacing the IMS bearing with the LN IMS bearing under CPO.

^ LN engineering dealer network list includes a few Porsche dealers. The P car dealer closest to me is on that list. I don't think its impossible for dealers to help car owners with a IMS bearing retrofit while doing a RMS or clutch job.