Second RMS in 5,500 miles, but listening to others I'm just a beginner!

I had my first RMS replaced after 3,700 miles and felt a bit unlucky. But let's be positive a new seal should do the trick, eh! Well you can imagine my surprise when another minute oil leak appeared after 1,800. I am in the process of getting it replaced as I write this report and happened to read 996 queries/news on the forum. To my ashonishment I find that Scouser has reached the dizzy number of seven replacements. What am I worrying about? My biggest concern is eventually selling the car. Will anyone buy it? Robin Hainsworth - a worried Porsche owner.

Robin, why have the seal replaced if it is just,as you describe, a 'minute leak'? I assume it's not dripping oil onto the floor? If not, I wouldn't worry. My 996 is covered for RMS failures under the Porsche warranty although I very much doubt they would replace the seal unless the leak was significant and 'compromised the operability of the vehicle', or whatever the exact wording is in the warranty. Just trying to put your mind at rest.

Keep going Maggie, Scousers 7th only lasted 100 miles before it went again [ ]

i had 3 in 1 year, dont know how many in the 18 months of the car's life before i had it one of them only lasted 700 miles

It's only an oil leak... And before anyone jumps down my throat - I have had an RMS leak AND a Porsche warranty for the last 2 and a bit years. At this last service they replace the RMS - at the previous 2 they said the leak was not worth worrying about (about a drip a month or 2). Nothisng had changed but this time they changed it. I've not had to top-up oil because of it.

Likewise, touching wood. Seepage at best (like a drip a month) from my RMS. OPC said leave it and they'll change it when they do the clutch in 10k miles or so (may well get my specialist to do it anyway and save £££).

If they do the RMS under goodwill or warranty then you will save £££ when getting the clutch done as they will not charge you the labour for the clutch which is bulk of the cost.

Don't bother changing it. 996 engines always weep oil from the RMS, it's a natural thing (bit like farting). Can be a nuisance but not a showstopper.[ ] Si

Oil leak PAH! you want to try owning a mini [ ]

If your 996 "doesn't" have an oil leak it must be faulty! The way I see it the RMS leak is a selling feature of this car. If your car has had it replaced then the new buyer can rest assured that any further RMS problems (within two years at least) are covered by warranty (even if the car is out of warranty). But if the car hasn't had an RMS problem the buyer can be almost certain that he's going to get it. If the car is in warranty then fine, otherwise he must cost in the price of a future RMS replacement and will want to knock you down in price. So an RMS replaced is a selling plus not a negative. Still living with my 7th RMS oil leak and still clocking up the miles................

If i was looking to buy a used porsche, the first thing i would look at would be its mechanical history. If i saw numerous rms changes i wouldnt buy it .Therefore i cant understand why so many people take such a light hearted approach to this problem.Surely rms faults de-value the car.

With the prices of 996 at the moment - one thinks the rising of the sun on a morning de-value the car [ ].

Certainly checked our 996 out and made sure we had the warranty sorted when we bought it ( no trouble so far ) as for light hearted approach , well there's far more important things to get stressed about than whether the cars going to break or not and if it does ...fix it . But of course not every one will agree .[ ]

A most excellent piece of philosophy from the RMS King himself![ ] Never thought of it quite like that, nicely put Berny! Wait a minute though...mine isn't leaking (yet). Does this mean my 996 is worth even less?[&:] [ ]

Well, I would say on par, it is no less and no more than a 996 with or without an RMS leak. The only winner is Porsche. I think that says a lot. Mine is going in for its 8th and according to my independent, last RMS replacement. He pretty much guarantees it wont ever leak again when he fixes it "using his secret method". For him to say that on my car is a big risk so I am feeling real good about it. Baring in mind that the engineer who has always worked on my car at my OPC now works for my independent (but he's not working on it this time, the boss is doing it) and so he knows too well my RMS history. But even he says it will be fixed forever. For him to have belief in this "secret remedy" is saying a lot. It goes in next month. I will let you all know the outcome.

Fingers crossed it's sorted [ ]

Good Luck Scouser

He's going to weld your engine and gearbox together. [ ]

I didn't realise there were so many petrol heads out there! Thanks for the advice and encouragement. It is appreciated. Regards Robin Hainsworth ( Maggie )