987 Boxster S Oil Leak

[sacrum]

Hey all...

Recently purchased a used 987 3.2 S. Love it. It was due for a service which has now been carried out and had a full check over - work carried out by Porsche Dealership.

Anyway, driving to work this morning I heard a loud thud...got to work and checked things over quickly as I thought I must have pulled up a stone on the road. Got home tonight pulled out torch for a better look and discovered an oil patch of fresh oil at almost the mid point of the car underneath. It looks like its gathered around the sump plug (there looks to be a screw in plug). I'm wondering whether on oil change residue was left over although I have completed a good 200 miles since the service and with road conditions being wet would have expected that to have been washed away. I hope I'm not being paranoid especially since buying the car I've heard horror stories about the RMS and IMS!

Advice appreciated....don't really want to turn up at the dealership unless there may be an issue.

Chris

[1schoir]

Hey all...

Recently purchased a used 987 3.2 S. Love it. It was due for a service which has now been carried out and had a full check over - work carried out by Porsche Dealership.

Anyway, driving to work this morning I heard a loud thud...got to work and checked things over quickly as I thought I must have pulled up a stone on the road. Got home tonight pulled out torch for a better look and discovered an oil patch of fresh oil at almost the mid point of the car underneath. It looks like its gathered around the sump plug (there looks to be a screw in plug). I'm wondering whether on oil change residue was left over although I have completed a good 200 miles since the service and with road conditions being wet would have expected that to have been washed away. I hope I'm not being paranoid especially since buying the car I've heard horror stories about the RMS and IMS!

Advice appreciated....don't really want to turn up at the dealership unless there may be an issue.

Chris

Chris:

I would proceed with caution. Best first step is to go under there and clean the bottom of the oil pan to see whether you can pinpoint where the oil came (or is coming) from.

If you find oil coming from where the bell housing of the transmission mates up to the back of the engine, you might suspect an RMS or an IMS flange leak.

If it's from the IMS flange, the IMS bearing may be failing and that could lead to major engine damage with continued operation, so be careful if that's the case.

Don't jump to conclusions and suspect the worst. Instead, try to eliminate the possible causes so that you can pinpoint the problem.

The loud thud, if it did not come from an outside source, should be investigated.

If you clean it up, you may be able to put your mind at ease without having to go any further.

Regards, Maurice.

[sacrum]

Thanks for info. I'll get underneath and see if I can wipe it clean first and see if it pools again.

[juniinc]

I really dont like that part"hear a loud thud noise"

hopefully it isn't the IMS bearing,,,

[Mabuhay]

Thanks for info. I'll get underneath and see if I can wipe it clean first and see if it pools again.

And the answer is... Can you share what you found out the problem to be?

[wvicary]

I would return to the dealer and have them investigate the source of the oil, be it old or something new. Does your vehicle still have a warranty?

[sacrum]

Couldn't get under the car but did leave white sheet underneath over night. There is definately oil leaking and it seems to be coming from sump plug. Spoke to my dealership today and they are taking the car in later today. My car is just out of warranty but because I am about to extend it Porsche have confirmed they would fix any issues inc engine failures without charge. I'll come back with feedback later...

[White987S]

Sacrum, please keep us posted.

[sacrum]

Well, took the car into Porsche and they took it away for an inspection. When the car was returned I was told that someone had been lazy following the recent service and not clean off old oil after it had been changed! I suspect the sump plug was not put in securely....anyway all well now...!

[1schoir]

Well, took the car into Porsche and they took it away for an inspection. When the car was returned I was told that someone had been lazy following the recent service and not clean off old oil after it had been changed! I suspect the sump plug was not put in securely....anyway all well now...!

That's great news! :cheers:

This is why it's a good idea not to panic right away. :soapbox:

Another good idea might be to stay away from that dealer, or to double check any work you have done there.

Regards, Maurice.