Yes, you heard that right. It's not the RMS instead it's FMS leak. This is another relatively common area for oil leak. I noticed some oil on the garage floor under the crankcase the other day and I thought for sure my crankcase cracked! I traced the oil leak to the front of the engine right behind the crankcase pulley and it's the other dreaded front main seal

After checking factory warranty and determine our GT3 are covered of 4 years 50,000 miles (whew) I took the car to my local dealer. They quickly ID the same source of oil leak behind the crankcase pulley and notified local PCNA (Porsche Cars North America) representative and proceed to order the FMS for repair. All work was put to a halt when the local PCNA rep told the dealer that he has "never" heard of a FMS leak and order the dealer to instill dye in my engine oil to confirm the leak!? Keep in mind that I checked around and other Porsche dealer do FMS leak repair for GT3/RS couple times a year and this PCNA rep said he never heard of such problem ... total BS! To satisfy this PCNA rep's curiosity, dye was instill in the engine oil and the FMS leak was positively ID and repair proceeded after 2 days of delay. I change my engine oil after repair even though dealer said the dye should not harm my engine ... I don't want gamble with my engine.

My technician said the new FMS is different in design with different parts number compare with the original FMS and it should not leak again. He had to remove the front engine mount cover plate then lower the engine slightly to get access to the crankcase pulley. He also had to order special tool from Porsche to remove the crankcase pulley. Both the crankcase pulley and the bolt are replaced because they stretch when you torque down the bolt ... another familiar Porsche trait. This is not a DIY repair I would recommend to anyone. Check your FMS and contact your dealer for repair before your warranty expire so you have one less thing to worry about.


Blood stain from the crime scene



Oil drip from the mid crankcase



Trace oil leak to the front of engine



Oil leak behind crankcase pulley



Proof of oil leak seeping from the crankcase pulley seal (FMS) with engine oil dye

 

Good to know - thanks for the heads up.

 

any time

 

I have been told that mine is weeping... which will be a full blown leak in no time... I plan taking it in soon.

I wish they noticed it when they had my car for the RMS repair and just did them both at the same time...

 

No worry, it will be a quick 1 day fix as long as PCNA approve and your dealer have all the parts

 

could someone please give me an idea about which one is the FMS and which one is the RMS

 

Happens on the 996 as well. I had mine replaced under warranty. Took the mechanis less than 2 hours to do.

-td

 

I did a 2-day track event before the holiday's last year and due to seasonal travel and work, my car sat in the garage for about 4 weeks without being driven. When I got back, noticed oil on the floor. Turns out it was RMS and FMS. I took it to Newport Porsche. The PNA rep came to verify and they denied the warranty claim due to aftermarket exhaust and because "I didn't drive the car enough". Both reasons are total BS, as we all know these leaks are a known problem with these cars. I was so pissed. Called PNA and complained. Got nowhere and finally gave up. I pulled my car from Newport Porsche and had BBI do it for half the quoted cost from the dealer. My car hasn't leaked since. So take this as a warning to anyone who has this problem. Be careful. Porsche seems to not have a firm, black-and-white policy on RMS/FMS leaks. And depending on the PNA rep, they may or may not grant your warranty claim.

 

oh boy ... front main seal is the one shown above and rear main seal is the one between engine and tranny case

+1

It helps to talk with your service manager first if you have after market exhaust to see if you need to put stock exhaust back just in case PCNA rep is going to examine the car. PCNA will deny warranty claim at all cost to save themselves some $$$

 

You guys that are getting this done under warranty, do you know and would you mind sharing the approximate cost of repairs?

 

?? It says zero on my bill

 

That really sucks. How does an exhaust have anything to do with a seal leak?!