15 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHRMS and Tiptronik
Leading reported evidence
Replace @ 35,000 miles (4 months
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
With my previous Porsche (996 Tiptronic - 2001), I've got the RMS changed @ 35,000 miles (4 months before the end of the warranty).
Leading evidence: 'Replace @ 35,000 miles (4 months' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'talking about and what i should be aware of' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace @ 35,000 miles (4 months' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I have a 2002 996 and the RMS was replaced under warranty, at c.4,000 miles, in April 2003.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
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Suspected cause
I am new to a 996 and am not sure what the RMS problem is your talking about and what I should be aware of.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
I was devastated as they had to remove the complete engine and gearbox (tiptronic car only) to replace the seal and I thought that they would make a complete mess of it reassembling all of it.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I was devastated as they had to remove the complete engine and gearbox (tiptronic car only) to replace the seal and I thought that they would make a complete mess of it reassembling all of it.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Porsche Club GB: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I have since done another 15,000 fabulous miles in my Boxster S and no more leaks (yet!).
Hi All
Can anyone tell me if the infamous RMS problem affects just manual boxes or has anyone with a 'tip' had a problem/s and if so at what point in the life of the engine.
Thanks in anticipation,
Nigel
Hi Grant
Yes you are correct - RMS appears to be the the most widely used and recognised way to describe this issue across all the sites I read. For information I have a grounding in mechanical matters and am trying to get a better understanding of the problem myself[8|]
If it is a
problem
with the 996 and Boxster engines ( I can only base my research on what others say) there appears to be a reluctance to accept the matter as a 'live issue' and surprisingly, an even greater reluctance for our Club to ask Porsche for an informed input as to whether they see it as a
problem
and what they feel the cause to be (materials, workmanship etc).
If Porsche do view it as a
problem
an idea of when they have a solution to the matter would help everyone - not just now but for many years to come - after all that is what we expect of the cars.
Alternatively perhaps I can put forward the suggestion of 'drip trays' to accompany these models[
]
keep well
Nigel
It would seem to be a problem getting a answer from Reading about any technical matter.
I am still waiting for a reponse to the recent "Honest John" letter regarding failed 986 engines.
JCB..
My '97 Tip has had the RMS problem rectified at the 46k mark when I bought it, but it existed before I bought it for an untold period. It cost me around £250 to rectify. Hope this helps.
Nigel,
I have a Boxster 2 with tiptronic.
here is what I wrote to someone in the club some time ago and still applies.
I took care to run my Boxster S tip as smoothly as possible and I got rewarded with a RMS leaking at 2500 miles. I was devastated as they had to remove the complete engine and gearbox (tiptronic car only) to replace the seal and I thought that they would make a complete mess of it reassembling all of it. But no, everything is still OK.
I agree with some of you that it is how the "robot" assembles the seal at the factory that matters and not how hard you drive the car thereafter. I have since done another 15,000 fabulous miles in my Boxster S and no more leaks (yet!).
John
In respect of your comment concerning Porsche UK, I have to say that in my own experience Reading provided me with every assistance last year on issues that I thought they may very well 'wince' at.
As yet I have not tried them over the RMS issue - I am still uncertain as to the extent of the problem following a suggestion that 03 and later models are no longer affected.
As a matter of interest there have been very few engine failures that I have come across in my research - and finally was your letter formally from the Club or as an individual owner?
Nigel
Unfortunately the tiptronic is also affected but you are not aware of it unless you notice oil under the car or climb under to look - ours was noticed when the car was serviced at 2 years. Our friend's boxster S collapsed whilst in our drive - he was away on holiday and it was left with us - the car just belched black smoke and wouldn't move up the steep drive!
OPC's don't want to do it on warranty and will not guarantee their work when they do it. This is totally "pie in the sky" as a good solicitor or trading standards officer will tell you. So don't take no for an answer.
Hi,
With my previous Porsche (996 Tiptronic - 2001), I've got the RMS changed @ 35,000 miles (4 months before the end of the warranty).
Porsche Centre Reading (formerly AFN Reading) agreed it was a problem to be fixed under warranty...
Anyway, since it seems to be a common issue this problem should fixed Free of Charge, even after the warranty's end.
On a global basis I do believe PCGB should put some pression on Porsche UK... and Porsche Germany.
Cheers,
Fab
Sorry guys & girls,
I am new to a 996 and am not sure what the RMS problem is your talking about and what I should be aware of.
I have just bought a 996 98/R C2 Tiptronic with 89k on the clock from a specialist dealer.
Also, has a puncture last night and has damaged the sidewall. I need a Pirelli P zero 265*35*18 N3 and the car is in Grays/Chafford Hundred but amd going back to Wanstead/East london.
Cheers,
Rob
RMS in the Porsche world refers to Rear Main Seal (the oil seal between the engine and the gearbox. These seals on the 996 and Boxster engines appear to be suspect and bring about a pemature oil leak at differing intervals during the life of the car.
There are numerous theories as to why they leak ranging from the material used - the manner of fitting - the manufacturing processes of the engine etc. At the moment only Porsche really know what and how large the problem is.
Remedy is a new seal which costs between £250 - £500 to fit. Porsche will carry out the work on occassions at no cost even outside the warranty period. Extended warranties generally do not cover the seals. In the States it seems that they replace the seal once and if it fails again Porsche swop the engine.
Like many others I am keen to get a better understanding of the situation. Seals should not fail in the manner that these are and if they do IMHO Porsche should be looking to remedy the situation and in the meantime have consistency in their approach to free relacements.
It would be nice to hear the thoughts of someone at Porsche (via the Porsche Club GB) but at the moment nearly everyone affected seems happy to do a 'Nelson'.![
]
NEC..
As far as I am aware, Porsche did product a "modified rear main oil seal" that was supposed to cure the problem, this was introduced in 2000 I think (possibly late 99).
I used to have a 98MY 996 & had to have three seals fitted, but once the "modified" version was fitted all was ok. This may not have cured things 100% on all cars, but if I was buying I would want a car that has had the mods done.
First signs were always a light spotting of oil under the engine, on the garage floor & a slight oil smell when the car was hot.
