I just bought an 01 996 with 13300 miles just out of warrenty,and i noticed a small oil leak (about 15 to 20 drops) after i would drive it.I took it to my local dealer and thay belive its the rear main seal but wont know for sure until monday thay are going to pay for 75% of the cost becouse of how new the car still is.Is this common?could it be worse?If it turnes out to just be the seal that would be a blessing seeing as i just got the car and by the way it runs and drives awesome.pleasehelp

 

How long have you had the car? Your state may have laws concerning warranty of preowned car from a dealer

 

I have only had the car a week and I have checked with porsche on the matter thay are commited to 75% of repairs If its the rear seal.Anything else will be revealuated by them but thay do feel that It is the rear seal.what do you think?

 

I'd get an estimate and confirm RMS. When they jack the car up, they should be able to locate the leak. It could be intermediatory seal but that makes little difference in cost.

Make sure the repair has at least a 1 yr warranty. I think standard repairs have 2 yr warranty if you paid out of pocket. If you get a warranty and cost is $200-300, flip the bill and be happy you got a cheap insurance against future RMS.

Also make sure the dealer has a good reputation for getting things fixed right. You don't want to re-visit the same oil leak again due to sloppy repair.

The oil leak has got to be there before. If so, seller is responsible for disclosing it. You have the burden of proof to show that oil leak is pre-existing though. How come you didn't do a PPI?

Is PCNA or dealer paying 75%? Make sure you get the paying party to put warranty coverage on repair in writing.

Hope this gets cleared up soon and you get the ride you paid for. Good luck and welcome!

 

PCNA is paying Im just worried it may be something worse, my porsche dealer thinks im over reacting.What do you think

 

as long as they will provide a future warranty on the work, i would not worry. rms is annoying and is one of the few issues of 996. however, it's not that expensive even if you had to pay for it all in the future. $800-1000 is the avg cost. many rms have been fixed and never come back while a few on the board have had repeat issues that led to engine replacement under warranty when the leak just come back over and over. I'd make sure there isn't other leak besides RMS such as cam seal which would have been leaking at the side of the engine.

 

Here in NM there is a mandatory 15 day 500 mile warranty on any auto purchased from a dealer. The question is- Does MS have anything like that. If the state does, than legally, the dealer must fix the issue!

 

This leak is in the middle I belive its (rms).I just cant belive its happening with 13200 miles.Is this somewhat of a common problem.

 

yes!!! do a search of previous posts on this site and you will find plenty of info. Good Luck

 

as 42 said...use the search function. You will be able to read from now till then end of time!

 

Look at the solenoid that controls the Variocam. Oil seal likes to leak there, too.

 

Those leaks (Vario) won't be in the middle, they will be off to the side by the cam covers.

 

My vario seal leaked (off to the side) at 12K, then RMS at 23K. Good luck!

Brad
2002 coupe
H&R
Orange cap
B&M
GHL "LOUD"

 

I agree that the leak was probably there before you purchased the car. I've had 3 leaking RMS on a '03 C4s. Each was repaired under warranty, but quite frankly I don't have much faith that the last repair will hold up either. I have 2 more years left on the warranty and will probably get rid of the car before the warranty expires. I suspect that is what the previous owner of your car did.

Good luck

 

I heard that porsche upgraded the (rms) seal in nov of 04 and have not had any problems with cars with the new seal.Is this true?