RMS Mystery Solved
Discussion
After extensive research I have put the following facts together which should cure potential & actual 996, boxster & 997 purchasers concerns regarding the infamous RMS issue.
The RMS facts: -
The Chance of experiencing RMS Failure.
996,997 & Boxster owners have an approx. 35% chance of suffering RMS (rear main seal) failure (40% Reenlist poll, 30% PCGB Survey + misc other evidence).
An unlucky 5% of owners will require more than one RMS replacement.
The Symptoms:-
In the vast majority of cases an RMS failure will mean a small but noticeable sweating of oil & possibly a small film of oil will be seen when the car is on the ramps or worst case scenario a few drips will appear on the garage floor.
The potential & actual results of an RMS failure:-
Oil spots on your garage floor.
In theory the clutch could be contaminated with dripping oil although in practise there are no (or very, very, very few) reported cases of this ever happening..
There are no other problems associated with having a failing RMS, it has never, repeat never caused engine failure.
The cause
Many, many theories but no actual evidence, I would imagine Porsche’s silence on the issue means they don’t even know or they would have cured it by now.
The Solution.
The very rich & very unlucky owner that has a carpeted garage & had an RMS failure outside of warranty can get it replaced for approx £700, $1,000.
The very unlucky owner that does not have a carpeted garage or more money than sense can wait until the clutch needs replacing at which time a new RMS can be installed for the price of the seal (£$ no money)
60% of owners will never experience the problem.
The vast majority of the 40% of owners that have experienced RMS failure have had it replaced under warranty & have never experienced the problem again.
The unlucky 5% that have had multiple RMS failures have had their engines replaced if they live in the USA “for a very small oil leek !”, where as Porsche UK seems to think their UK customers are less likely to have carpeted garages & therefore can live with a small oil leek.
I must surely being missing something, the RMS issue very nearly put me off buying a 996 & I am sure it is one of the causes for the depreciation experienced on these cars.
Thank you internet RMS hysteria, you have has saved us second hand Porsche owners a fortune.
The RMS facts: -
The Chance of experiencing RMS Failure.
996,997 & Boxster owners have an approx. 35% chance of suffering RMS (rear main seal) failure (40% Reenlist poll, 30% PCGB Survey + misc other evidence).
An unlucky 5% of owners will require more than one RMS replacement.
The Symptoms:-
In the vast majority of cases an RMS failure will mean a small but noticeable sweating of oil & possibly a small film of oil will be seen when the car is on the ramps or worst case scenario a few drips will appear on the garage floor.
The potential & actual results of an RMS failure:-
Oil spots on your garage floor.
In theory the clutch could be contaminated with dripping oil although in practise there are no (or very, very, very few) reported cases of this ever happening..
There are no other problems associated with having a failing RMS, it has never, repeat never caused engine failure.
The cause
Many, many theories but no actual evidence, I would imagine Porsche’s silence on the issue means they don’t even know or they would have cured it by now.
The Solution.
The very rich & very unlucky owner that has a carpeted garage & had an RMS failure outside of warranty can get it replaced for approx £700, $1,000.
The very unlucky owner that does not have a carpeted garage or more money than sense can wait until the clutch needs replacing at which time a new RMS can be installed for the price of the seal (£$ no money)
60% of owners will never experience the problem.
The vast majority of the 40% of owners that have experienced RMS failure have had it replaced under warranty & have never experienced the problem again.
The unlucky 5% that have had multiple RMS failures have had their engines replaced if they live in the USA “for a very small oil leek !”, where as Porsche UK seems to think their UK customers are less likely to have carpeted garages & therefore can live with a small oil leek.
I must surely being missing something, the RMS issue very nearly put me off buying a 996 & I am sure it is one of the causes for the depreciation experienced on these cars.
Thank you internet RMS hysteria, you have has saved us second hand Porsche owners a fortune.
Stats come from Rennlist & PorscheclubGB both of whome have done surveys, the PCGB survey was more scientific & from memory had approx 500 replies to its survey, where as Rennlist was based on a smaller sample size & only included people visiting their forum (probably more likely to have issues).
There is also a lot of circumstanstial evedince from Porsche forums & dealers that seem to correspond to these poll results.
Hence the stats are probably not exact but I would imagine they're about right.
There is also a lot of circumstanstial evedince from Porsche forums & dealers that seem to correspond to these poll results.
Hence the stats are probably not exact but I would imagine they're about right.
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