Recently Replaced RMS, starts leaking again after ~700 miles.
03-19-2013, 09:22 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Recently Replaced RMS, starts leaking again after ~700 miles.
Not really a technical post, but more one of disappointment. I replaced my RMS along with swapping out my old IMS bearing for an upgraded unit in December. At long last my 996 was leak free, and oil spots no longer appeared on my garage floor. Four months later and the oil spots are back. Oil is drip drip dripping from the same area as it was before, and the source appears to be exactly where it was coming from before (RMS).
I can't help but wonder if the time and effort to replace the stupid RMS was really worth it, or if I'll bother to ever do it again. If the RMS were the only thing I'd replaced while in there, I'd be even more angry. It's probably dripping about one or two drops a day. Supposedly the RMS I used was the "newer" and "better" one.
Anyone else have a recently installed RMS start to leak after a short period of time?
I can't help but wonder if the time and effort to replace the stupid RMS was really worth it, or if I'll bother to ever do it again. If the RMS were the only thing I'd replaced while in there, I'd be even more angry. It's probably dripping about one or two drops a day. Supposedly the RMS I used was the "newer" and "better" one.
Anyone else have a recently installed RMS start to leak after a short period of time?
03-19-2013, 10:31 AM
#2
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
UMMM - NO
I am guessing this was a DIY project
getting the seal on without damaging it and getting it set to the proper depth and perfectly perpendicular to the crank are vital steps - the same holds true for the IMS seal although easier to get straight, it can be clipped going into its hole - leaking is NOT normal
if this was done by a shop, drop off the keys and say, call me when its fixed...it happens - dont be mad
I am guessing this was a DIY project
getting the seal on without damaging it and getting it set to the proper depth and perfectly perpendicular to the crank are vital steps - the same holds true for the IMS seal although easier to get straight, it can be clipped going into its hole - leaking is NOT normal
if this was done by a shop, drop off the keys and say, call me when its fixed...it happens - dont be mad
03-19-2013, 11:24 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Mine was replaced, as a condition of sale, when I bought the car a few years ago. The first replacement leaked worse within ~150 miles then the origninal one did. The shop replaced it and the second one was dry 5 yrs/20k miles later when I replaced the IMSB.
03-19-2013, 11:38 AM
#4
Yes it's happened to me before. Dealer replaced RMS seal prior to my ownership. Ended up leaking 1k later but since it was under warranty, they replaced it again. So far so good.
It might be one of those technique and detail oriented things where you can mess up the install if you're not focused on it. And maybe one of the reasons why some Indy's recommend to leave it alone if it currently isn't leaking.
It might be one of those technique and detail oriented things where you can mess up the install if you're not focused on it. And maybe one of the reasons why some Indy's recommend to leave it alone if it currently isn't leaking.
03-19-2013, 12:23 PM
#5
Race Director
Not really a technical post, but more one of disappointment. I replaced my RMS along with swapping out my old IMS bearing for an upgraded unit in December. At long last my 996 was leak free, and oil spots no longer appeared on my garage floor. Four months later and the oil spots are back. Oil is drip drip dripping from the same area as it was before, and the source appears to be exactly where it was coming from before (RMS).
I can't help but wonder if the time and effort to replace the stupid RMS was really worth it, or if I'll bother to ever do it again. If the RMS were the only thing I'd replaced while in there, I'd be even more angry. It's probably dripping about one or two drops a day. Supposedly the RMS I used was the "newer" and "better" one.
Anyone else have a recently installed RMS start to leak after a short period of time?
I can't help but wonder if the time and effort to replace the stupid RMS was really worth it, or if I'll bother to ever do it again. If the RMS were the only thing I'd replaced while in there, I'd be even more angry. It's probably dripping about one or two drops a day. Supposedly the RMS I used was the "newer" and "better" one.
Anyone else have a recently installed RMS start to leak after a short period of time?
An important point about installing a new RMS is to not locate it exactly where the old one located.
The odds are very high the old one wore a small groove into the crank journal and if the new seal sits in the same spot the sealing will already be compromised.
Unless you can live with the leak you'll have to go back in and replace the RMS again.
Also, you have to consider the very real possibility the IMS cover plate seal or its bolts are leaking. The new bolts (old bolts should not be reused) should be micro-sealed to prevent oil from working its way past the/through the threads and out under the head of the bolt.
However, given the severity of the leak I strongly suspect the offending part is the RMS.
03-19-2013, 02:59 PM
#6
That sucks. Sorry.
I had my shop replace a slightly leaking RMS when I bought the car, doing the clutch at the same time. This cost was negotiated into the purchase price of the car.
About 2K miles later the RMS started leaking again. The shop replaced it on their dime, and this time did the IMS bearing upgrade for the price of the parts and an extra hour of labor.
I had my shop replace a slightly leaking RMS when I bought the car, doing the clutch at the same time. This cost was negotiated into the purchase price of the car.
About 2K miles later the RMS started leaking again. The shop replaced it on their dime, and this time did the IMS bearing upgrade for the price of the parts and an extra hour of labor.
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03-20-2013, 08:33 AM
#9
The previous owner of my car had the RMS replaced 3 times by the dealer over the course of 2 years...
Since I own it, 3 years now, not one single leak.
RMS must be a hit or miss it seems.
Since I own it, 3 years now, not one single leak.
RMS must be a hit or miss it seems.
11-23-2014, 06:31 AM
#11
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Now that's the first I heard of the IMS replacement leaking and throws a curve ball into the situation. NOT once but several times from different posters. My original stops where it is for sure after reading these postings. The old saying is "leave well alone' and 'don't fix something that isn't broken'. If mine ever starts leaking, it goes into a Porsche Garage and not an Indy. Thanks for your honesty.
11-23-2014, 02:17 PM
#12
Race Director
It is (or was back in 2002 when I had the RMS replaced in my Boxster) SOP to replace not only the RMS but to replace the IMS end flange and the bolts at the same time. I had the RMS done under warranty and the IMS end flange/bolts were done under warranty too, so it wasn't a dealer overselling repairs.
(The word I got was often it was the IMS leaking not the RMS but the RMS got all the bad press.)
The new IMS end flange came with a much better 3-ribbed seal vs. the tiny o-ring the original or earlier IMS end flange had. The new bolts were micro-encapsulated to prevent an oil leak from oil seeping through the bolt/block threads.
(The word I got was often it was the IMS leaking not the RMS but the RMS got all the bad press.)
The new IMS end flange came with a much better 3-ribbed seal vs. the tiny o-ring the original or earlier IMS end flange had. The new bolts were micro-encapsulated to prevent an oil leak from oil seeping through the bolt/block threads.
