Discussion
Sounds to me like your RMS (Rear Main Seal) needs replacing. RMS is the seal between the engine and gearbox and this is a very common 996 problem. Do a forum search for RMS threads. There has been enough posted on here about them!
An independent will do the work cheaper than an OPC but the biggest cost will be labour. You might like to get your clutch replaced whilst you're having this done!!
An independent will do the work cheaper than an OPC but the biggest cost will be labour. You might like to get your clutch replaced whilst you're having this done!!
I'm convinced there is an element of paranoia in regard to the RMS just as there is in regard to the head gasket on the rover k-series engines such as in the elise.
Don't get me wrong - there's a fundamental issue, but dealers just look for the fault IMHO. Most seals with that kind of oil load will sweat a little - look at any seal such as on cam ends or crank shafts - they often have a dirty spin off or a sweat - thing is that just as rover / lotus dealers use the words "head gasket failure"for anything coolant related, be it overheating, an ecu failure or simply a knackered coolant pressure cap, porsche delaers use the "it's your RMS sir" line every time they see the minutest of oil leak.
IMHO - leave it be until you need a clutch - you didn;t notice it did you?!
Don't get me wrong - there's a fundamental issue, but dealers just look for the fault IMHO. Most seals with that kind of oil load will sweat a little - look at any seal such as on cam ends or crank shafts - they often have a dirty spin off or a sweat - thing is that just as rover / lotus dealers use the words "head gasket failure"for anything coolant related, be it overheating, an ecu failure or simply a knackered coolant pressure cap, porsche delaers use the "it's your RMS sir" line every time they see the minutest of oil leak.
IMHO - leave it be until you need a clutch - you didn;t notice it did you?!
Intersting....Not wishing to be obtuse, just curious...
How do you (read "OPC"
tell if you have an RMS leak?...not meaning to ask a dumb question, but assuming that the underside of the g/box and block casings are wiped clear of any drips before a service/inspection, or as 340Ragtop says, "sweating" how on earth can an OPC state that they have seen a leak from the RMS (or equally to the point but more often ignored, the intermediate shaft) without dismantling the engine from the 'box? The rate at which RMS passes oil isn't sufficent to pee oil everywhere; if it were, your clutch linings would be buggered in no time...so...no telltale?
Or am I missing something here (like an inspection window in the housing?!)
Like I said, genuinely interested as I may get a warranty put on soon.
How do you (read "OPC"
tell if you have an RMS leak?...not meaning to ask a dumb question, but assuming that the underside of the g/box and block casings are wiped clear of any drips before a service/inspection, or as 340Ragtop says, "sweating" how on earth can an OPC state that they have seen a leak from the RMS (or equally to the point but more often ignored, the intermediate shaft) without dismantling the engine from the 'box? The rate at which RMS passes oil isn't sufficent to pee oil everywhere; if it were, your clutch linings would be buggered in no time...so...no telltale? Or am I missing something here (like an inspection window in the housing?!)
Like I said, genuinely interested as I may get a warranty put on soon.
Spennyb I would'nt hang about mate if i was you,having had four boxsters before this one and never having a problem,i thought most of this RMS issue was a bit ott.I asked the chick at opc about the fault,she said they do aleast a car a week!.Get a warranty,mine cost me 700 but ive have had 2ks worth of work done already.I know the service is a rip off but if you want peace of mind is the only option.Talking of service 80quid parts and £400 for labour,WHAT A JOKE!They wanted to fit rear discs and pads,have a guess how much? £550!!!My friends going to fit new pads for £70 instead.In the end a 300 quid sevice(tops) by a good mechanic cost me just sort of £700 and it would have been worse had i let them get carried away
I didnt see it leaking, and there is never anything left behind on the ground after parking. They said it was "leaking, not dripping", and they couldnt guarentee how long it would last.
He didnt force the issue when I said I didnt want it done, I would have expected him to tell me straight if the thing was going to blow up after ten miles. I wonder how much they add to the problem after they fiddle with it?
He didnt force the issue when I said I didnt want it done, I would have expected him to tell me straight if the thing was going to blow up after ten miles. I wonder how much they add to the problem after they fiddle with it?
They won't add to the problem by fiddling as the RMS can't be touched / moved with the engine in situ. I just reckon they lok for it in every car they service - hence the high pick up rate. God knows how many HGs I'd change in elises if I blamed every coolant leak on them.
IMHO leave it alone until you have a drip on the drive that annoys you, or until you have a clutch done. IN conjunction with a clutch it's about £25...
IMHO leave it alone until you have a drip on the drive that annoys you, or until you have a clutch done. IN conjunction with a clutch it's about £25...
aceparts_com said:
The oil is on the wrong side of the flywheel to make the clutch slip.
??? AFAIK the oil is in the engine and the clutch is between it and the gearbox - along with the flywheel. The RMS is there to prevent said oil entering the clutch housing. Yes the flywheel is in the way but the way everyone goes on about it you expect to see a 1" jet of hot oil gushing out....
Most RMS failures allow a minute weepage - mine failed (twice) on my C4. The first was very noticable and a fair amount of oil around the underside - fair enough. But after replacing the first one, complete with new clutch, bu&&ered if I'm going to do a second one when I had no dripping, just the faintest smear visible, so I left it.
In 6 months between oil changes I never topped the oil up once. A year later and still no change....
Wait till it gets serious. If you want serious take a look under my Girlfriend's Vectra with 120,000 on the clock. A couple of pints of Halfords worst per week and she is happy. (That's the car, not the girlfriend)
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