Well I bought my first 997 C2 last Saturday, and the car still has 30 days left on the warranty. Per the advice on this board, I took it to an independent shop today for a PPI. While it was on the lift, they showed me the oil leak at the RMS. Thanks for the inspection advice!

Other than that, my car starts REALLY slow when it is hot, but they said the dealer would diagnose it under warranty. They could have diagnosed it there, but they would have charged for the tests.

The car got really high marks from the mechanics, so I am feeling great about my purchase. I drove over to one of the Porsche dealers in Columbus, and they pulled my car up on the system to confirm the warranty dates. As suspected, I have 30 days left! They are going to keep the car for a couple days next week to start fixing everything. The Service Director said they would also have their team go over the entire car again. He said 'I am motivated to fix everything I can find wrong with your car'. The economy sucks, so the money they get through Porsche is helping in the down times. Finally, I noticed that the Guards Red gauge cluster was developing tiny air bubbles, so they are going to replace the entire cluster.

Since they are going to replace the RMS, is there anything else I should consider when the car is pulled apart? He said they would replace certain pieces in the clutch, if they find any oil on the parts. He also mentioned that they would use an updated seal when they replace the defective unit. The car has 37k miles. Is it normal for the RMS to fail so early?

Again, I'm feeling really good right now. Thank God for the 30 days on the warranty! Let me know if you have any advice before I take it to the dealer next week.

Thanks!
Nick

 

You may want to replace the clutch with a stock clutch.

Have them check cylinder compression and see if they have confidence in the intermediate shaft - a major potential failure item in those engines.

Look for coolant overflow tank leaks too.

 

Get an extended warranty quick!!!! Iv'e had TWO RMS's and one IMS with 35,000 miles. Dealer used the updated seals bla bla bla. Its a design flaw and Porsche rather replace seals than redesign crankcases. Also have them replace the slave cylinder while they have her opened up. The rod went on mine. Future seal replacements can be in the thousands!!!! sell quick or get warranty

 

what year is it?

 

If they're doing work on the clutch, find out what. Are they just replacing the throw out bearing, the pressure plate? If you want, now is the time to add a LWFW, since the case will be off already so you'll save on labor.
CATTMAN

 

Cattman,
The service director mentioned 3 different parts in the clutch, but I cannot remember which parts would be replaced (if needed). I believe he said they typically only replace 1 or 2 of them. I will send you my contact details via PM, so give me a call this weekend to discuss. Also, I just found out this morning that I will be back in ATL on Monday. However, I will be on the 7:00 AM out of Columbus...and head back home on the 5:35 PM! Maybe you can bring the AH pipes by the airport! Did they come today? Did the nanny open the door?!

OC Pcar....my 997 is a 2005.

Nick

 

Do not succumb to peer pressue on a light weight flywheel. You wont't like it for street use. pay for stock and all accessory parts now.

Get an extended Porsche warranty too.

 

Interesting. When I took my 997 to the independent mechanic today for the PPI, the manager gave me a tour of their facilities. They had Lambos everywhere, so I was checking out the engine compartment of a Diablo. I started talking to the guy working on it, as he was the head Lambo performance guy/mechanic. I was asking him about 997 mods, and he basically said the same thing as you when I asked about the LWFW. His rationale, in a nutshell, was that you would need to reduce a proportional amount of weight from the rest of the car to get a peformance gain on the streets. I believe he said the stock flywheel weight is used to generate power, so you are losing power if you ask a lighter flywheel to push the same amount of weight. Since I will only use the car on the streets (mainly as a daily driver), he was not too keen on the LWFW idea. This is all new to me, so please excuse me if I butchered his rationale!

Nick

 

That's not what I am saying. A LWFW will make the engine (marginally) freer revving. But... you will not like it on the street, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic and you stall the car.

 

What year is the 997 with the rear main seal leak?

 

If the 4-year warranty is expiring in 30 days... it's an '05.

 

What are you talking about? That's absolutely ridiculous. A LWFW is not a recipe for stalling. It's not any different in bumper to bumper traffic.

If you are interested in this upgrade, I recommend that you read my posts on the topic, and Northvan's posts on the topic, and balance that against the specious advice above regarding stalling, etc, which is pure fiction.

I want you to do what's comfortable for you. Listen to ALL opinions, but only follow those whom you believe in, those who are credible. Reading the posts from those on each side of the argument will help you come to a conclusion. Good luck
CATTMAN