Porsche 3.6 litre engine failure
Discussion
I have just ordered an Aston Martin DB9 drophead to replace my 911 (996 model). Since the Aston cannot be delivered before 2006, I will have to continue running my 911 for a few more years. Reading the Porsche Club website, I have been horrified to learn of huge numbers of the 3.6 litre engines in 996's and later Boxsters that have been blowing up due to rear main oil seals failing. Has anybody heard of this ?
I don't believe there was a single engine failure due to the RMS failing - almost impossible by my technical knowledge unless all the oil drained from the engine.
The engine failures were caused by other things (for example the failure of the hydraulic lifters in my boxster). There ARE however a large number of engines being replaced by porsche BECAUSE of the RMS problem (although mostly in the USA, not in the UK) - not because they will fail, but because the RMS can't be properly fixed and a new engine is the only solution.
In reality an RMS leak can go unnoticed for the life of the car and will most probably cause no noticeable oil loss or and mechanical problems - it is the wasy porsche are dealing with it which is annoying people.
The engine failures were caused by other things (for example the failure of the hydraulic lifters in my boxster). There ARE however a large number of engines being replaced by porsche BECAUSE of the RMS problem (although mostly in the USA, not in the UK) - not because they will fail, but because the RMS can't be properly fixed and a new engine is the only solution.
In reality an RMS leak can go unnoticed for the life of the car and will most probably cause no noticeable oil loss or and mechanical problems - it is the wasy porsche are dealing with it which is annoying people.
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