I took my car in for the routine maintenance (2006 w/~13K miles) as the Service Engine message has been displaying for the last week or so. I originally brought it in to just have them reset the display and thought I may as well have them change the air filters considering the recent fires here in SoCal. Anyway, when I went to pick up the car yesterday afternoon, the service rep told me that they thought they were seeing early signs of an oil leak, right around where the RMS issues seem to occur. He said to keep an eye on it and to take it back if I start to see any oil on the ground underneath the car. He mentioned that they would’ve gone ahead and changed the seal but since I hadn’t brought in
for that or even mentioned it, they couldn’t do it.

Up until now, I thought only the 996’s had the RMS issue. The service rep mentioned that since my car is an early 06 model (10/05) that it likely didn’t have the new seal. Any others on the boards have any issues with the RMS on their 997?

 

Porsche has had in the last 5 years at least 4 technical bull on RMS's and a seal redesign as well as changes to the installation procedure and seal handling characteristics (oil the seal, dont oil the, seal the case seam and change the case bolts, dont change the bolts, but clean seal the old ones, do the intermediate shaft flange, dont do it- only fix whats leaking, blah,blah,blah). Service department gets real tired of hearing it from PCNA and I am pretty sure that Porsche is running out of ideas on the RMS. The overall half case design didn't change from 996-997 and the seal has only changed material construction and inner sealing lip design. However- most of them that look like they are leaking from an RMS and are leaking from a shaft flange seal or even case bolts- some it is just the RMS. Service policy now is they all "seep" oil- its not leaking until the customer complains of signs of oil under the car and only fix whats leaking- dont blanket the repair as warr. doesnt want to pay to fix what isn't visibly leaking- running the risk or reoccurance later on.

 

oh yeah, the new RMS's leak too.. seen at least 4 myself. The saga continues.

 

Thanks. I see in your profile that you are a Porsche Technician, is that by trade or by hobby? I was just wondering if this is something I need to start worrying about. I was always so afraid that I would see this in my 996, but it never happened. I was told by an indy that my 996 was probably one of the few that wouldn't leak if I hadn't seen it by now (~69K miles).

 

Technician for a living (and was for a long time at a very large dealer in the south florida)- I am pretty blue color and dont own one, but work on enough and seen a lot. The dreaded RMS seems to be the major topic in the forums and a very common problem. As stated above though, even though its leaking from the area of the RMS, doesn't mean that it is always the case. lots of other things in that area like to leak, intermediate shaft flanges seals especially. In fact, I see more problems with int shaft flanges leaking even breaking (as the shaft flange snout is hollow and supported in the shaft flange) leading to catastrophic engine failures (as the pistons ever so gently kiss the valves) without warning, proper maint, and no over rev condition. This was most prevelent in 02-03 996's but I have seen a couple 997's fall to the same fate. Not to keep you up at night worring about the what if's. I must say that I look at a lot of cars everyday and at least 70% are seeping oil- if not from the RMS- then the valve covers, sparkplug tube o-rings, or cyl scavenge pumps- somewhere. I dont think that any of these problems have anykind of soluion on the horizon from Porsche and I think they are still a top notch, well designed vehicle, just quirky. As for your oil leak, wait a week or so and tell your advisor that you noticed "oil coming from the rear area of the vehicle". Seeping or not, it's now going Warr. becasue the customer complained about it and it wasnt found during repair- and the RMS on these cars (especially Customer Pay) is a money maker for me. Best of luck and enjoy your 997- I think it's the finest water cooled to date and they are only getting better.

 

Sounds like a bit of double talk...first they say they would have changed it if you brought it in for that...then they say keep an eye out for leaks; they should have just kept the car and changed it while it was there or at the very least made a new appt to take care of it right then and there.

 

All German car build on the month of Oct. has problem. Cuz all the guys who build it are hung over from the night before.

 

subscribed and slightly worried

 

Octoberfest is the last week of Sept so watch for those too!

 

I just had mine replaced about a month ago .
( 997 S with ~ 10 k miles on it )

 

It's truer than you think. Mine 07 C2S was an October build and the RMS was put in backwards according to my service rep. Not a far stretch to think that the germans need time to reaquaint themselves with the assembly of these fine automobiles.

Other than having the seal replaced, on balance the car has been perfect.