GregBBRD

I know next to nothing about 996 and 997 street variant engines. (Intentionally....complete piles of junk.) Therefore, I have no idea what seal they use.

The "traditional bolt pattern" engines (Cup cars, GT3 variants, etc.) use the same size seal as a 928. The seals Porsche uses for these engines have very different technology.

Guy

Considering the fact that my 997 rms leaks like heck, I wouldn't think that Teflon seal is any better

In fact, my old 993 and 964 leaked awful as well so I am not sure any 911 seal is worth any better

ROG100

As already said the rear main seal 999 113 426 41 is used in a number of vehicle applications.
911 from 1978, 924, 944, 968, 964, 993, GT3, 996 & 997.

Current OEM are Kaco, VR & Corteco.

Kaco is the current supplier to Porsche and that is the "black" seal.

GregBBRD

I always assume that any rear main seal leak is the result of something I/we did wrong, even though we are very careful about seal installation. I never return or even bother to converse with a parts supplier about failures, because of this assumption.

By the time a third seal leaks...several people in the shop are helping/doing inspection of the seal, the crankshaft, the surriundung area, and the actual installation. Because of this concentrated inspection, we naturally become very suspicious of the seal, itself, should we continue to have a leak.

Worth noting, there is a large "window" in my test stand arrangement which allows "real time" observation of the seal, when the engine is running....I can stand there and watch the seal.

The leakage I've been having is definitely coming between the seal and the crankshaft....not from the perimeter of the seal.

The black seal marked "Porsche" has been my "go to" seal for the last several years.....for the last several years. It has been so good that I have not been using seals supplied with gasket sets, but have been substituting this seal (on my own nickel).

To suddenly have multiples of this seal leaking was very perplexing/disconcerting.

Other than from Sean, have you any other reported issues with rear seals?

ROG100

Hi Greg - none at all and this thread is the first I have heard of the issue. I have know of a few (maybe 6) that have failed because the "installer" did not seat the seal correctly but that's it.

I sell the Corteco seal which is probably what Sean is using. My guess is you are using the Kaco "black" seal.

I did find another supplier that may be OE but not OEM - Elring.

Guy

Seems to be a much more popular thread on the 944 board. Seems they have been avoiding the black seal as well

Mongo

Are we saying the Kaco seal is the bad seal, or the Corteco? Kaco seals I have used on both 928s and 944s (RMS for my old track car) have never had any failures or premature leakage. I am surprised if the Kaco is the problem here.

Guy

Improvised installation tool



New seal went in last night pressed in with my homemade tool. The seal in the first engine was installed in 2013 and was a fully ribbed Beck Arnley. The seal I installed in the new engine was a Kaco. Apparently Beck has also switched to the half ribbed sides which makes for easier install. If you set this seal flush there is barely enough rubber to seal the removal cut out. I set this one in a little further. Fingers crossed. Clutch is back in and I will adjust tomorrow night

ROG100

Beck Arnley does not make parts they sell parts made by others under there name. Beck Arnley is not OEM or OE to Porsche.
If the BA seal looked like the Kaco then it is more than likely a Kaco seal.

I am interested more in what peeps like GB or Sean R say as they install multiples. I know that Sean R uses mostly Corteco and that possibly GB uses Kaco (not confirmed by GB).

Currently there are four manufactures that I am aware of Kaco, Corteco, VR & Elring.

Guy

I am more interested in their feedback as well but since I am the original poster and it's my thread, I thought I would follow up.

I buy all my parts from you whenever possible, just wanted to try the seal I originally used 3 years ago that worked successfully for me

ROG100

Guy - I was not knocking your follow up - just saying that GB & SR will lead my choice of seal for the future.

Nice tool by the way.

SeanR

I've had a handful of Victor Reinz seals that were 1/2 good 1/2 bad and always thought that it was my issue with installing, even though I have a good tool for it.

Whatever you've been supplying me the last few months have been good. I'll know more if I ever get this nightmare of a car back on the road.

the flyin' scotsman

my new RMS seal leaks..........I changed it WYIAT during the TT/clutch rebuild........should have left it alone

the flyin' scotsman

any follow up with preferred seal/install method?

Mrmerlin

FWIW one thing to be aware of is that,
when the old seal is removed,
it is very easy to deform the wall of the sealing surface when the screwdriver is pried on the cutout area,
this small wall deformation will be enough to cause the seal to leak.

To cure it,
use a micro file /jewelers file to dress the cutout edge so its smooth make sure to drive the new half sided seal a bit deeper so the ribs are below the cutout area