997 GT3 low mileage slight oil leak
997 GT3 low mileage slight oil leak
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WindyM

Original Poster:

443 posts

168 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
quotequote all
My 2007 GT3 has done 24,000 miles with full FPSH but spent the last two years either in storage or in dealer showrooms (covered just 250 miles during this time).
I've noticed a small oil leak on the garage floor (about 5cm diameter and no depth - just a few drips over a few days) along the centre line of the car and probably where the engine and gearbox meet, possibly RMS?
I have my first track day in it booked this Thursday.
Does the forum recommend I cancel the track day until it is resolved, or might the seal come back to life again now the car is being used regularly?
Thanks.

Digga

47,868 posts

311 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
The seal will not really come back to life, although it may not leak catastrophically.

I'm reliably informed by Sports & Classic that the RMS on both the cooking and Mezger flat sixes is a pretty bog standard fibre type seal. I think the part cost is about £90 so not cheap but not hugely expensive either. If, once up to temperature, the car is not pissing oil out I'd guess it should be okay.

I've heard of them leaking profusely, straight away, if damaged during fitting, and I've certainly heard of leaks developing on cars stood for long periods, but not heard of a leak develop into a major leak/failure. Others may advise otherwise.


WindyM

Original Poster:

443 posts

168 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Thanks, Digga.
Curiously, I last used it on Sunday morning, so it's been in the garage for 4 days and no drips so far!
I'm going to do the track day tomorrow, anyway and keep an eye on it between sessions. YOLO!

Digga

47,868 posts

311 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I guess it is possible that a small leak might just be a result of a 'dry' seal, which improves when used.

Digga

47,868 posts

311 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
TVRs with Rover V8 engines nearly all developed this type of leak when parked up. For most, the leak never really progressed much. Mine never did because, even if I wasn't driving the car, I'd run the engine up once a month. Not quite so sure you can do that on a Mezger without creating other issues though.

IainF

154 posts

283 months

Friday 8th June 2018
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The RMS is prone to leak on 997 GT3s. I was told that the lack of vacuum caused by the car not being run contributed to the problem. I found with my car that there would be a few drips on the garage floor if it was left standing for 2-3 weeks. But if the car was used more regularly then the leak stopped. The leak didn't stop me using the car on track, but obviously keep an eye on the amount of oil being lost. The seal may well be relatively inexpensive, but the repair is an engine out job and so seriously expensive. It will be covered under Porsche's extended warranty though.

Digga

47,868 posts

311 months

Friday 8th June 2018
quotequote all
IainF said:
The RMS is prone to leak on 997 GT3s.
FWIW I'm led to believe the issue is pretty much similar for all flat-six Porsche engines, Mezger or otherwise. Affects standard Carrera models and GTs alike.

WindyM

Original Poster:

443 posts

168 months

Friday 8th June 2018
quotequote all
IainF said:
The RMS is prone to leak on 997 GT3s. I was told that the lack of vacuum caused by the car not being run contributed to the problem. I found with my car that there would be a few drips on the garage floor if it was left standing for 2-3 weeks. But if the car was used more regularly then the leak stopped. The leak didn't stop me using the car on track, but obviously keep an eye on the amount of oil being lost. The seal may well be relatively inexpensive, but the repair is an engine out job and so seriously expensive. It will be covered under Porsche's extended warranty though.
Thanks Iain. It ran flawlessly at Castle Combe yesterday and no sign of a leak - oil level and pressure always good. I'm having it 111-point checked at the end of June, just to get a definitive list of what I need to put back to standard (eg JZM Alcon front discs, Bosch battery, unbranded wiper-blades, front grilles - lots of good stuff!!) if I want to have the warranty (I have on my previous cars). Hopefully, they won't spot the leak! Anyway, it seems mad to put standard discs back on when the Alcons will be much better for track days, but hey-ho.

Digga

47,868 posts

311 months

Friday 8th June 2018
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Major PITA if you have to swap from aftermarket steel to OEM PCCB.

As a minimum, you'll need new caliper bolts and if you're to avoid random sensor errors, probably also a full set of those too.

WindyM

Original Poster:

443 posts

168 months

Friday 8th June 2018
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thanks, cmoose. If I do swap the discs to OEM I will keep the Alcons and hoped it would be an easy DIY.

WindyM

Original Poster:

443 posts

168 months

Friday 8th June 2018
quotequote all
Digga said:
Major PITA if you have to swap from aftermarket steel to OEM PCCB.

As a minimum, you'll need new caliper bolts and if you're to avoid random sensor errors, probably also a full set of those too.
Sure, Digga but mine are steel/steel.

Digga

47,868 posts

311 months

Friday 8th June 2018
quotequote all
WindyM said:
Digga said:
Major PITA if you have to swap from aftermarket steel to OEM PCCB.

As a minimum, you'll need new caliper bolts and if you're to avoid random sensor errors, probably also a full set of those too.
Sure, Digga but mine are steel/steel.
Just the caliper bolts then. Apparently it's not advisable to re-use them.