First Oil Change and a Rear Main Seal Leak ! Need Advice

[ChuckLogan]

Just picked up a 2002 911 w/20K miles, (still under warranty) and during my first oil change today they found a leaky rear main seal !!

The guys at the shop (private porsche shop Dublin Ca ) said sometimes Porsche will not cover a RMS leak if they do not classify it as a true "dripping" leak.

Is this true . . does anyone have any advice for me when I take the car to Porsche ? Which is better for this kind of thing Porsche Fremont or Walnut Creek?

Thanks,

Chuck

:o

[viper501]

From what I've seen, Porsche is replacing seals if they are even sweating. I'd take it to the dealer and get them to deal with it while it is still under warranty. From what I've read, the 'new' seal is apparently working well. Also, the dealer is motivated to do the work considering Porsche is footing the bill.

[ChuckLogan]

From what I've seen, Porsche is replacing seals if they are even sweating. I'd take it to the dealer and get them to deal with it while it is still under warranty. From what I've read, the 'new' seal is apparently working well. Also, the dealer is motivated to do the work considering Porsche is footing the bill.

Thanks Vipor501, I guess these guys at the porsche shop are being little over dramatic. My god on a $100K car (new) that develops ans engine case leak bad enough to coat most of lower engine, you would think it would be a no brainer???? It was a real drag seeing that nice sports car underside covered in grease . .

I love the car, and plan on doing the cool guy gray epoxy garage etc . . having a puddle of oil under your German sports car blows the vibe.

Thanks for the advice.

Cheers

Edited July 21, 2007 by ChuckLogan

[viper501]

The RMS is really not going to kill the car except under very unusual circumstances. The IMS failure, the coolant intermix on the oil cooler, the cylinder sleeves slipping, or a valve spring failure are the costly ones, kind of in that order. Do not let the RMS keep you from enjoying the car. Also, while they are in there, you might want to get them to update the case bolts and the bolts on the IMS, assuming that they don't have sense enough to do it on their own.

[mffarrell]

Just picked up a 2002 911 w/20K miles, (still under warranty) and during my first oil change today they found a leaky rear main seal !!

The guys at the shop (private porsche shop Dublin Ca ) said sometimes Porsche will not cover a RMS leak if they do not classify it as a true "dripping" leak.

Is this true . . does anyone have any advice for me when I take the car to Porsche ? Which is better for this kind of thing Porsche Fremont or Walnut Creek?

Thanks,

Chuck

:o

I would take to Stead Porsche in Walnut Creek and speak to the service manager, Eric Shaffer. I have been having my cars serviced there for almost 20 years.

[ChuckLogan]

Just picked up a 2002 911 w/20K miles, (still under warranty) and during my first oil change today they found a leaky rear main seal !!

The guys at the shop (private porsche shop Dublin Ca ) said sometimes Porsche will not cover a RMS leak if they do not classify it as a true "dripping" leak.

Is this true . . does anyone have any advice for me when I take the car to Porsche ? Which is better for this kind of thing Porsche Fremont or Walnut Creek?

Thanks,

Chuck

:o

I would take to Stead Porsche in Walnut Creek and speak to the service manager, Eric Shaffer. I have been having my cars serviced there for almost 20 years.

Thanks mffarrell, Stead is the closest, I will give Eric Shaffer a call today. Thanks again

[ChuckLogan]

The RMS is really not going to kill the car except under very unusual circumstances. The IMS failure, the coolant intermix on the oil cooler, the cylinder sleeves slipping, or a valve spring failure are the costly ones, kind of in that order. Do not let the RMS keep you from enjoying the car. Also, while they are in there, you might want to get them to update the case bolts and the bolts on the IMS, assuming that they don't have sense enough to do it on their own.

Hey Viper501, talked with Walnut Creek Porsche ( Service Mgr: Eric Shaffer- really nice guy) they said that they will also update the case bolts to that of a 997 . . He said they do that on all RMS replacements . . What specifically is the IMS ?

Thanks,

Chuck

[Loren]

IMS = InterMediate Shaft

The IMS (6) drives the chains for the cams.

[viper501]

As you can see from Loren's diagram, its what you don't want to fail. If the IMS fails, you're gonna hose your engine in an instant. Massive catastrophic destruction of the entire valve train.