Nice Rumble

As a potential buyer of a 2002 C4S with 8K miles, I am concerned about an oil spot beneath the motor. I thought the 996's didn't weep oil like the earlier 993's. Where is the most likely area this drip could be coming from? Should I be concerned? Otherwise the car looks to be in excellent condition. It is under factory warranty until 7/06.

programmatore

Do a search for "RMS" under the 996 forum. It is a problem on some cars. I think you can get it fixed for around $800 (or just watch your oil levels and top it off when it gets a little low).

jumper5836

That doesn't look like a rms leak. The spot would be in the center rear of the car and would be a little further back.

Kevin H. in Atl..

I just had a minor leak.
Variocam sensor cover seal.

AG996LV

I have only experienced one leak, and it was easily fixed. The spark plug tube has an O-ring that had to be replaced. If the leak is on the side rather than in the middle, it could be that. Might be worth it to take it by a dealer or local porsche shop to have it looked at.

mrhmmhmm

I've had two leaks, oil pan gasket and variocam sensor cover seal

THX911

Since it is still under warranty tell him to get the job done or deduct the money for the hassle of you getting it done under warranty claim. It is too close the rear to be RMS...

programmatore

Guys, I see an oil spot on the floor consistent with an oil spot left by an RMS leak. Okay, so it is a little too close to the rear in the picture but who knows whether the car was moved forward so that the picture of the oil spot can be taken? Cars move. In the first picture the car was outdoors -- it is not that big of a stretch of the imagination to think that maybe when the car was parked back in the garage that it wasn't parked in the exact same spot.

Have the car checked out to figure out the source of the leak but don't rule out an RMS leak just because the leak appears too close to the rear in one picture.

Nice Rumble

Carfax shows this car to be a "buy back" due to dealership took too long to replace the engine. The owner was able to use the lemon law to get out of the car. Porsche NA had it actioned at Manhiem I suspect as it came out of Penn. Current owner bought it at auction. Needed a new engine and still it weeps oil. Current owner probably didn't pay more than $30K and yet he is asking $55,900. He services and sells pre-owned Volvo's and Saab's. This car now has a branded title and will follow all future owners. I'll pass.

fast1

Isn't Carfax great. It just saved you a bundle of money and a lot of headaches. Some poor uninformed guy however will buy this car, and think he got a great deal if the owner knocks off a couple of thousand. After he buys the car, he'll become a Rennlist memeber and ask for advice.

TT Gasman

If the car still has the factory warranty, just get it fixed. But, given the history I would pass too if there is another car available with a clean past.

teflon_jones

Looks like a cam seal leak from the rear of the engine.

Carfax is hit or miss. If it shows clean, it doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with the car, it just means it hasn't been reported to the DMV systems that Carfax uses to cross check.

TT Surgeon

An '02 with only 8k, leaking oil, changing motors, sounds like trouble to me.