99 Boxster Small Oil Leak - Need suggestions

[westladog]

http://www.photoshop.com/users/westladog/albums/6d45c4bf49314e6986acfa726bf3a3d0/view#026edd03a0454321a4a9f64e2b259562

1999 Boxster

Manual Tranny

71,000 Miles

I purchased this boxster 11 months ago when it only had 50k miles. It's been great. No issues.

I'm not sure what to make of this recent finding.

Thanks

[ericinboca]

Location makes me think rear main seal. It is a $20 part, but it requires removing the transmission and the flywheel. I might get flamed for this :D but if it is not leaking much, and you are the obervant type, you might be able to wait to replace when you do a clutch job.

[logray]

That looks to me like oil between the engine and transmission bell housing.

Usually that is the IMS flange seal, or the RMS, or a combination of both.

[harryrcb]

I would not procrastinate having that checked. I recently had a customer bring in his car with less oil than that and convinced him to check everything, found the IMS bearing starting to seize. of course it was the cause of the leak.

[1schoir]

http://www.photoshop...4a9f64e2b259562

1999 Boxster

Manual Tranny

71,000 Miles

I purchased this boxster 11 months ago when it only had 50k miles. It's been great. No issues.

I'm not sure what to make of this recent finding.

Thanks

At the very least, the prudent thing to do would be to remove the oil filter, cut it open, and examine for any metallic bits.

You can remove the filter without having to drain the oil completely.

Regards, Maurice.

[infocusf8]

That looks to me like oil between the engine and transmission bell housing.

Usually that is the IMS flange seal, or the RMS, or a combination of both.

+1 don't procrastinate on this that is quit a bit of oil.

[kbrandsma]

At 71K I would also do the following: Replace clutch replace RMS replace IMS with LN engineering replacement While the tranny was out I would further: check AOS and J tube Oil filler tubes drain/replace tranny fluid, Bleed brakes and clutch.

These are things that are time consuming or expensive when done individually but when done together can be less than $500 in parts (plus $500 for LN IMS Bearing).

If you haven't done the 60K maintenance you can do it as well: spark plugs, oil, serpintine belt, and filters

Edited November 17, 2011 by kbrandsma