The dreaded RMS leak hit me

I recently took in my 02 C2 Cab (15k miles) for repair of a persistent squeak in the cab top, and I asked my service rep to check for a RMS leak based on the many Rennlist threads on the subject (and some drops of oil that I may have seen every now and then)... Sure enough, they found that the RMS was leaking. DOH! Not the best news given that my engine failed at 10k miles (search for past threads if interested). Given all these problems, I still adore my chariot! Questions for the pros: 1. Is the oil changed (or should it be) during the RMS repair? 2. The various threads on the topic indicate that the flywheel and/or clutch may be damaged as a result of the RMS leak, thereby possibly shortening the expected operating life of those parts. What sort of warranty coverage can I get on the transmission parts when they fail and need to be replaced, based on the argument that the RMS leak was a contributory factor in their failure? 3. Has anyone here actually had their flywheel and/or clutch fail prematurely due to a RMS leak? If so, did you have to pay for the replacement parts and/or labor? How did your dealer/PCNA handle the situation? Thanks

I'm no pro. I just speak from experience (saddly). 1. Oil is drained during RMS replacement. 2. The RMS sits at the end of the crancshaft behind the flywheel and is housed by the gerabox bell housing. The leak from the seal is rearely bad. But if it is then the oil can build up within the bell housing be sloshed around thus contaminating your clutch and/or flywheel. If oil gets on the clutch it is hosed. Replacing the flywheel is a "not" required. But the labour required to clean the oil off it can outway the cost of fitting a new one. Since the gearbox is out in the first place to do the RMS, the clutch and flywheel have to be removed to get at the RMS. So its cheaper to just fit a new flywheel than have to spend time/money cleaning the old one. And since the clutch is out, even if it isn't contaminated, you will save labour/money later by putting a new one in while the RMS is done. But often the leak is only minor and the flywheel/clutch are not contamnated with oil. But I advise you should still get a new clutch replaced anyway. Sometimes, the opening for the RMS renders fitting a new one pointless. That is the opening is or has become oval (only by microns!) and the RMS can't be fitted correctly. In this case, you get a new engine. New engines normally come ready to bolt in with flywheel and clutch attached. In this case your likely to get the whole lot in one go. I would imagine that you would only get this done under warranty/good-will as the cost of engine replacement for an RMS problem would be hugely expensive. In warranty cars, there is no issue. You get the RMS or engine free. I would say you would also get a new clutch free too (if it is contaminated). In out of warranty cars, it depends on the cars history or how good the dealer is feeling that day. It also can depend on how the car has been driven. They can read the computer to see how many stage 1 and stage 2 hits the engine has had (changing down at too high revs). If they think the car has been thrashed (tracked) they may refuse to help you. If the car has a full dealer service history and fair mileage for the year, they may offer to replace the RMS and/or engine (and possible clutch) through the Porsche good-will scheme. In many cases they may not do it entirely free of charge. They may ask you to contribute towards the cost on a pro-rata basis depending on year/mileage.....and how good they are feeling that day. Remember, if your cars out of warranty, then Porsche don't have to contribute anything to your cause. Anything they do offr is gratis and out of their own willingness to help. In most cases they will help the customer. A far cry than can be said of other Performance car manufacturers.....Ferrari would enjoy taking your money. 3) See above. It's a labourious job. Takes about 8 hours. My 996 is about to go in for its 2nd RMS in a weeks time. Since my car is out of warranty, I am panicing because if the engine needs replacing, I don't know if they will do it under the good-will scheme. And I won't mentioned my gearbox problems..................but I still ove this car. Best of luck with it.....and keep us posted.