Wellardmac

Wow! Scaremongering much? Jump to the extreme conclusion with only a vague description and no photos? What's wrong, is business light and you need to drum up some more? Honestly, a more calm and rational approach is more called for!

Unlike some would like the OP to believe, an IMS failure is NOT lurking around the corner to get every 996.

Flat6 Innovations

Think what you wish. I was merely stating that the OP should take this seriously and he might just save a lot of money, because others have and some others haven't.

A sudden release of a significant amount of oil from an engine that is not running and has no oil pressure is not normal. The RMS will not do this, as all RMS leaks are heavily dependent upon splash oiling that is created by a running engine.

Guilty until proven innocent~

Wellardmac

So where in the OP did it say significant amount of oil or sudden release? Also, where did it say sudden? All the OP said was that he periodically watches and now there's an oil residue when there wasn't previously. As I said, I think you're jumping to conclusions and scaremongering.

All the OP said was "oil residue" - that can mean anything for any of the reasons listed in previous posts. My car is currently in the shop for replacement spark plug tubes and that also resulted in "oil residue" all over the transmission.

The correct path is to determine where, when, and how the oil appeared and the severity - none of that has been established yet. I'm sure you love sounding the IMS horn, but really Jake, not all oil leaks are IMS, you really need to chill a little.

Flat6 Innovations

I am done here. Ya'll win.

Wellardmac

Hey, if I'm wrong, let me know where I've missed a key fact, but as far as I can tell you jumped the gun so far that the trigger hasn't even been pulled yet.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't say anything, but this is not the first time you've done it. You're always fast to see IMS ghosts where there are none and it unnecessarily causes panic.

tbanasiak

I have my first weep of oil at the bottom of the trans belll housing. I ordered a new filter and a magnetic oil drain plug. Today I replaced the filter, cut the old one apart to inspect it and found no metal pieces at all which made me feel better. I took a sample to send off to Blackstone, half the bottle from the filter casing and the other half from changing the drain plug. Yes it's a cold sample and not the preferred method of taking a sample but I just want to know what they find in it out of the ordinary if anything. Tomorrow i'm gonna put in blue devil rear main sealer and go drive for a spell to work it around, then drive again the following day and monitor for any more weeping. No noises or difference has been noted prior to the weep and a clean filter. She drives smooth as silk so i'm optomistic it could just be a worn out RMS.

Wellardmac

Both IMS and RMS have tell-tell locations for a leak - search for them and you'll see photos. As i said before, a little oil does not mean the end of the world, you just need to ask a few questions, do some research and figure out the problem - posting photos and giving information will always get you some enlightenment.

Flat6 Innovations

Like I said. I am done. Happy Trails.

tbanasiak

It's not the end of the world for me by any means, just a caution flag put up. I've been reading all I can to include looking at pics. No leak anywhere except a little weep at the bottom of the bell housing. Everywhere else is dry as a bone. Whether It's IMS or RMS for me leaking wouldn't I have to remove the tranny and clutch to visually inspect the IMS and RMS? That's at least what I can tell from all the reading and pics.

tbanasiak

Jake I don't know if my sistuation is similar to the OP, but your advice is always welcome to me. Anything else I should/can do short of having tranny removed for inspection? Thanks!

Wellardmac

Post a couple of photos so we can see where it's leaking we'll be able to tell you a lot very quickly.

Wellardmac

Hey, if it makes you ask a few questions next time instead of jumping the gun, then my work is done. You do have some valuable insight, but like Joseph McCarthy you see shadows where there are none.

Asking a few diagnostic questions is far more valuable then jumping in with a snap scaremongering assumption. You said, "I'm done" and walk away with no apology for jumping to conclusions and not trying to actually figure out what's going on? What kind of help is that? Be useful to the OP and help diagnose, rather than slinking away when someone called you for jumping to conclusions without adequate data.

Wellardmac

This was the most sensible posting in the thread.

...and this told you it probably wasn't the IMS or RMS, but more likely spark plug tubes, leaking cab cover seal, or even leaking PCV valve. The leaking cam shaft cover is highly unlikely, the other two possibilities are not a big deal and easily fixed if you decide that you cannot tolerate a minor and annoying oil drip.

redridge

Ahhhhh, I miss this forum, reminds of the day when IMS was at its infancy and now it is a full grown. I cant wait for the next "IMS" maybe when the 996 is 20 years old the m96 will show another Achilles heel... but for now, its good to have options. Drive it like you stole it.... all will be good.

San Rensho

If you are sure the leak is from the bell housing, then take out the oil filter and check for for any metal that sticks to a magnet. If you find any significant amount, then pull the sump plate and see whats in there. If there is any ferrous metal,I wouldn't start the motor again without further investigation.

If you don't find ferrous metal, its probably the RMS and if it were me, I would plan on replacing the clutch, IMSB, possibly flywheel if its bad, in the near future.