Underside pic of 996

[Paul Fraser]

Had a look under the car today while changing the rear brake pads. There is a dry oil stain just where the undercovers start (going forward from the engine there is a long chunky tubular section, which I presume is the gearbox, it's about halfway along this section). What is this likely to be and does anyone have a pic of the underside of the car so I can identify salient features (like RMS etc.)? Thanks.

[Tool Pants]

If you asked for a Boxser then I would have a lot of pictures.

This is a 996 with the head and exhaust removed from the right side.

[Paul Fraser]

Where's the RMS, please?

[Loren]

 

Where's the RMS, please? 

 

The Rear Main Seal (RMS) is the seal on the flywheel side of the crankshaft. So, any leaks will appear at the joint where the transmission and engine meet. In a Carrera that would be just about even with the rear wheels and dead center in the middle.

[Orient Express]

Here is what a 996 chassis looks like:

[Orient Express]

Here is a picture of an Rear Main Seal. You are looking at the front of the engine where it is bolted to the transmission. The RMS is the red circle around the crankshaft. The flywheel is bolted to the crankshaft and the pressure plate it bolted to the flywheel, with the clutch plate in-between the 2 parts. The other seal than can leak is below it and is called the intermediate shaft seal. It is behind the cover with the 3 bolts. If either of these leak oil will dribble down the front of the engine and out the drain notch between the transmission and the engine.

Here is a shot of the back side of the transmission bell housing, showing the transmission main shaft that goes into the clutch plate, and the throwout bearing. Notice the crumbs on the bottom of the bellhousing. This is salt corrosion from water that has gotten into the crevices around the outside of the transmission case. Also notice the oil on the bottom of the case from the leaking IMS/RMS. All of this cleans up very nicely when disassembled.

[Paul Fraser]

Very helpful everyone, thanks. If anyone is looking for me tomorrow morning I shall be underneath my car :)

[umn]

Here is a picture of an Rear Main Seal.  You are looking at the front of the engine where it is bolted to the transmission. 

...

Nice pics. Just to avoid possible confusion: Technically speaking, you are looking at the rear of the engine, that's why it's called the RMS "Rear Main Seal". ;)

The clutch-side of an engine is always called the rear, it's just that in a 996 it's mounted the wrong way round.

Cheers,

Uwe

[Mitty]

Here is what a 996 chassis looks like:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How did you get your car to levitate?

Very nice, how do you keep the underside so clean?

-Darren