Bittersweet Day yesterday...

Took the car to the dealer for the 40,000 mile service. She was running great, as always, and figured it would be routine.....Until the call came. Rear main seal leaking. Wellllllll....while you're back there, how about a new IMS bearing! Ok! Oh...and might as well do the clutch too. Peace of mind does not come cheap, but I'm glad I joined the party. Best case scenario, really on IMS replacement...

How bad is it leaking. Thought they all did that my new one started again after 12k. If not dripping bad wait till the clutch really needs replacment then tackle them all.

If you've got the dough, just get 'er done.

My RMS leaked on my 996 almost the entire time that I owned it. It was replaced three times in the first 140,000 miles. It never left spots on the garage floor, but it did "sweat" oil, as my mechanic called it.

If you're going to do it, get the AOS done too.

And here's a vote to do the IMS Solution, instead of a different ball bearing.

I saw it with my own eyes....it was pretty wet back there. That being said, I think I have only added a grand total of a half quart of oil ever to the engine. It didn't add up to me, really. It was pretty cool to see the engine bay from underneath with the tranny out of it. I asked soooooooo many questions and have a much better working knowledge of what we all have back there. It all lookedfairly simple back there....mechanical, compared to all the doo-dads on the S6 I had before. Now I won't go so far as to say the knowledge gained was worth the price of admission, but it was a nice 20 minute discussion with the mechanic! ForumRunner_20150114_100815.png

Dealers charge to do that? Mine told me I needed a $5500 head job It was a $165 plate installed

I got the service records for my car (first 30k mi. or so) from Park Place and it had three RMS visits and a couple of changes. Guess they got it right the last time... TC P.S.--Ditto on the AOS. IMS/clutch/AOS/RMS should be a package deal. (Then, something else will break! )

just wait until you get your "consulting client" bill for $150 for 1.0 hours of labor for that 20min chat!!

Quotes source post: 11954013

Fixed it for you for the next time you need service.

My RMS, IMS and clutch were replaced 10 months ago and it seems the RMS is leaking again. Maybe 1-2 little drops of oil every couple of days but enough to bother me obviously. Based on old service records (have all of them), RMS was first replaced after couple of years of ownership and there are several mentions about it by the dealer every so often when the car was serviced. My concern is that it will never get fixed and I just throw good money at it... What do you guys think, labor wise, how many hours is it to just drop the transmission and replace the RMS? thanks

If your car was fitted with the new-style RMS and is still leaking, I wouldn't throw money at the problem until you have some other reason to have the car in for service. I know there are some here who feel that any oil leak is unacceptable. If you're looking to sell the car or the leak concerns you, you should probably take another run at the RMS. I'm guessing your mechanic will charge you 50% of the labor you paid for the RMS/IMS/clutch job you did recently. If this was my car, and I was certain the RMS was the source of the leak, I'd just slide a sheet of cardboard under the car and spend the money on other stuff that needs fixing or leave it in the bank. Someone smarter than me can chime in - but if the updated RMS leaks, the issue may be with the case rather than the seal. If this is true for you, no number of RMS replacements will stop your car from seeping oil...

You can DIY all of this stuff. Don't take a car out of warranty to a dealer unless you enjoy bending over and grabbing your heels.

Dropping the transmission may not be something that weekend warriors feel comfortable with. It's easy to get a clutch wrong - and if you get in over your head and wind up bedding the car to the shop along with a frunk full of parts, the reaming you get goes to another level entirely.

Quotes source posts: 11954562, 11954562

997 part number was used, assume it's the latest part available. Previous owner had all of it done. that's my understanding as well that if the tolerances are off, no new RMS will ever fix it.

Quotes source post: 11954568

lol +1

New RMS for a seep that never drips? Lol. Air cooled 911s quit leaking when they're out of oil.

Unless it�s a major leak, I would leave the seal alone until something else comes up (clutch, AOS) that warrants a transmission pull. Pretty much all used engines leak oil (on every car out there regardless of make), even if it leaks enough to leave a drop or two in the ground, as long as it�s manageable, leave it alone. What you are doing here is replacing a slightly leaking seal, and because everything is apart now you are obligated to replace a bunch of other expensive parts too that haven�t reached their end of service life yet. If it�s not too lake, leave it alone.

I'm afraid it's too late....done deal.

Was it painful?

Well, it was done at the dealership. The leaky RMS was discovered during the 40,000 mile service and that was gonna be $1400. When everything hit the fan, I said this is a good opportunity to just get it allllllll done, so I did. Out the door for $4400 including tax...but that means I got the IMS bearing, Rear seal and clutch for $3k....which from a dealer seems low

We have a local street where this is more like $20. BTW you 06 Aero looks freaking awesome! To the OP good decision to do all while your there. Alp,,,,??? You out there? See what your missing?