Cosmo Kramer

Hey all

So tranny is out and I just replaced the IMS with the LN Solution. When I got may car, there was oil residue under the bell housing so I suspected the rear main seal. Once I pulled the flywheel, I discovered the leak was from the ims flange and the rear main seal was dry.

I have a new seal on hand, but a part of me says "let sleeping dogs lay" and just leave it alone. What would you guys do? Pull it out and replace because I'm in there or leave it be?

extanker

i would leave it

cds72911

Your kidneys are working fine. Should you get a kidney transplant? Same answer.

dporto

Absolutely... NOT! Keep it on hand for "next time you're in there"... Fix the things that need fixing and leave the good things alone - unless it's a part that's known to wear and/or needs to be replaced at a certain interval. The rear main seal is not one of these. If it's not leaking/weeping, you got a good one. The chances of you making the new one leak are probably greater than if you leave the original one.

extanker

^^^^

dgmark

Hard and fast rule in the shop , It always gets replaced. It only takes 15 minutes to do it with the trans out, If it has any miles on it there is a good chance that it will start leaking before the clutch has to be serviced again.

LexVan

Avatar looking good, Mark! See you at Road America.

AWDGuy

I'd do it. My luck it would start leaking as soon as it was back together. Takes no time to do with the right tools so I'd replace it

cds72911

It's not hard to do, but you want to get the depth right. If you don't have access to the factory tool, RL member ChrisMA sells one that is 3D printed, inexpensive, and works well for a home mechanic.

LexVan

It's a <$20 part and the current PTFE material is excellent.

charlieaf92

I left mine for 2 reasons. The first reason is that it was the newer updated design, so it had been replace previously and the second reason is that with rear main seals, its easy to screw up the install and lots of times you don't know until you have it all back together. If you have access to the correct tool, its probably worth the first - but if it isn't leaking, and you don't have the install tool my vote would be leave it alone.

Do you know if its the original seal? If you're not sure how to tell, you can post a pic here and someone can verify if its the updated version or not.

LexVan

You can get the Porsche install tool at places like Sunset and Suncoast. They charge about $150 for the RMS kit (tool + seal).

sober_owl

replace it..why would u leave it if it takes 20 mins and u already have the part..

cds72911

If I remember correctly, the tool I got from ChrisMA on here was around $30-ish. He also had them on ebay, but he gives Rennlisters a discount if you go direct.

Seal removal is fussy, but if you are a handy DIY, you'll be fine. Careful not to score the seal bore if you start using shop made tools.

Cosmo Kramer

​​Looks like it's 50/50 on this!
Here is the pic of the seal, think it's original from 2002.