Oh dear...it's finally happened...

Took my 996 out of the garage after my 2 weeks offshore...to find a tell-tale drip pool of Mobil 1 left to greet me. Great. A trip to my local OPC rewarded me with the news it was likely to be the "crankshaft oil seal" that was leaking... RMS then...super. So, off it will go soon to have a replacement fitted...not good. The first of how many? I ask myself.

I haven't got a 911 (yet), but from what I've read about the most recent version of the seal (version 7) solves the problem, so once its done you should be OK.

not good but should be fixed ok. personally I think the mobil one oil is too thin for road use and is not really designed for such varied use and temperatures in this country. it is very thin, though very performant. could it actually damage the engien when cold and not offer the protection of say a 5w40 or 10w60. just my 2c but hope you get it sorted. did you get the rads sorted?

My Boxster had the latest seal fitted a year ago at the service. It's back there now haveing another one done at this service - the new leaked worse than the old one ever did.

Do you know what causes the leaks ? Sorry for my ignorance.

I hope a new seal will solve it...but I'll not hold my breath. Strangely, there were no further drips over the last 2 weeks...this car just doesn't like being left alone...drive it every day and there's never any form of leak. No matter...it's in for the RMS repair, clutch plate change (I believe...precaution as the oil will most likely have contaminated the existing plate) and a new pair of rear tyres. 9200 miles including 18 laps of the 'ring and 3000 miles in Europe at high speeds last year, and much sidewards tomfoolery about Scotland since and they are just on the wear indicators. Not bad at all... As for the rads...yup, they are fine now. No leaks...as they stop leaking, the RMS starts... I really want to get annoyed with this car...but can't. The extended warranty will be an essential buy come December though...

Thought I just point out that you have just stated a very good point as everyone thinks it is a strong reason NOT to have extended warranty but on the contrary; these cars have been designed to be driven and leaving it is the garage and low mileage is a very good reason to have an extended warranty rather than thinking less mileage means less trouble. OTT mileages are a different case but I think very low mileages are more troublesome than cars driven regularly with reasonable annual mileage...

Good point... Sadly, my car sitting for two weeks at a time isn't through choice...I work a 2/2 rota offshore, and have no choice. Every minor issue I've had with the car had been noticed after it's 2 week 'rest' period...never a problem when used every day. Despite the fact that I don't have any work commuting to do, and spend half the year in the middle of the North Sea, I still average 12000+ accross my two cars (C4S and Golf GTI). I wish I could drive them more... It certainly seems to me that regular use prevents many of the problems (I also suffer from corroding inner rear brake discs...again, not much I can do. The car has to sit for 2 weeks at a time...although I'm sure there are a few peole willing to use it everyday just to keep it happy!) My OPC have always been superb at dealing with problems and I'd have no hesitation about buying an extended warranty from Porsche and continuing to use them...

Snap! Mine has corroding inner front discs; though I use it regularly but occassionally, I do have to leave it to the elements when I am away overseas and I think I may have done one too many trips last winter. Got the weathershield cover, so hope it makes a difference but otherwise the garage project will have to be moved to def con one...

I had a 944 turbo a few years back. When I bought it it had hardly been used and leaked oil over the garage floor. My inclination was to immediately replace all the seals but decided to have some fun driving it first - after two weeks all leaks stopped and it was still ok 5 years later when I sold it !!

Central or Nothern sector of the North Sea?

Sounds familiar... There was a pool under mine...but I used it every day for 2 weeks and not so much as a drip. Since it's under warranty, I'm having it changed...but it seems that if you use it...it's fine.

Northern... East of Shetland. Cormorant A. The bit that's been fogged in for 4 days...I'm having doubts i'll be seeing land come Wednesday.

Gawd, a Shell Platform. My commiserations.

Why the doom and gloom around Shell? Not only work on a Shell platform, but a Shell Tech too...and formerly a Shell apprentice. Does that make me a bad person? Anyway, got home a day late...picked my car up complete with replacement RMS...and new rear tyres. No drips yet...and feels much better with fresh rubber.