Carrera S4 large oil dump in garage

[nighttrain]

Picked up my first 911 with FSH and 52'000 miles on Sat morning drove 500 miles with a big smile on my face only to end in tears on the last mile two yellow warning lights came on PSM & Engine management car then started to drive a little rough. Pulled into my garage turn off the engine then approximately a minute or two later oil started leaking out from under the car' I lost about a ltr or so. Could anyone help I think it might be the bearing seal as the oil looks like it coming from between the gear box and engine I check the dip stick and it not showing anything, and the underside of the car is crystal clean with no sign of any oil mist which you would of got when driving with an oil leak.

Thankfully the dealer is recovering the car and repairing it even if it means a re-build.

[Fastfred]

You don't write which model, but I've had both a 993 and a 996 RMS go and the amount of oil dropped could be measured in teaspoons full. The oil lends to cover the inside of the bell housing rather than gushing out as you suggest.

It never produced any warning lights either.

I hope the supplying dealer sorts for you....

[stewart rix]

My bet is that a failed or loosened oil filter has result in that much oil loss.

[GregorFuk]

You checked the dip Stick? Are you sure about that?

[Rockster]

Not the usual RMS leak behavior. Could be any number of explanations, some not so serious, but unfortunately a few serious.

I'm not up on UK consumer laws but you should be so you know where you stand if the problem turns out to be serious, or even not so serious, after just buying a car. There has to be (at least I hope there is) something that gives you some protection from something going seriously amiss -- through no fault of your own -- shortly after you buy in this case a used car.

[Helicopter123]

Could you confirm which model you have?

[nighttrain]

It's a 996 Carrera s4 - the oil loss was large, besides what was soaked up on mats I managed to get a container underneath and there was approximately 2 litres collected. the dipstick when I checked was not registering any oil at all. When it was put on the tow truck today I managed to get a picture which I will upload. There is no spraying of oil on the underside of the car or in the engine bay. The dealer is being great, car is going to a porsche specialist and the dealer is covering all costs even if engine rebuild is needed so no worries there.... If anyone has any ideas on cause or what it maybe I would be appreciative to hear your comments....

[nighttrain]

[nighttrain]

[nighttrain]

[Pope]

IMS Bearing failure imo

Either the locating stud has sheared or the bearing has broken up entirely. The transmission will need to be removed to make a diagnosis but if it were brought to me (and for the sake of an extra half hour initially I would remove the sump pan for a debris check). I f the supplying dealer recovers it I would arrange to be there when they remove the sump pan to check for bearing particles/debris. If the IMS bearing has failed entirely there will be debris in the sump that will give enough information to form a repair time and direction. If it's 'just' a stud failure then a repair may be viable (R&R bearing and replace - depending on MY).

I'm sure the dealer will see you right.

Good luck

[nighttrain]

Thanks Pope.... Car is on route to dealer and they have said first thing they would be checking is the sump... So I assume they must be thinking along the same lines as you. After the initial shock / horror of it all I guess it doing it now is to my benefit whether it is just the sheared part and the bearing is replaced or the worst case scenario bearing going completely and engine being effected.

Thanks for your comment/advice. Will report findings when I hear from them.

[nighttrain]

Received the verdict on it today and it has been confirmed the bearing has gone through the engine !!!!!

[Trev450]

Bad news. At least you have a warranty.

[foreverme]

The chocolate 996/997 engine strikes again, good job you have a warranty, see if the dealer will buy it off you and replace it with a GT or turbo.....

[nighttrain]

Off to Hartech for a full re-build that should sort it, just got to wait 5 weeks for it dam...

[Shurv]

If the dealer or their warranty company pays for a Hartech rebuild, then you'll be one happy puppy. A great car with a sorted and future proofed engine.

[Magic919]

I'm amazed it's only 5 weeks, TBH. Hartech seem pretty busy. Will be great once it's all sorted. 996 C4S is a nice car.

[nighttrain]

Thanks for your input on this I only had the car for one day drove 500mile home so it's just a waiting game now they did say it could be seven weeks as they are very busy must be a good thing.

[Gary11]

GregorFuk said:

You checked the dip Stick? Are you sure about that?

How funny.
(the pun not the fault BTW)


IMS failure. Or a totally failed RMS.

Edited by Gary11 on Thursday 5th June 08:55