Jack's Happy

I have owned two boxsters over the past 10 years but have always wanted a 911.
Just purchased a 2000 996 cabriolet with 40k miles for $17k-cannot believe you can buy so much car for this price....but...
Had PPI done at Family Porsche in Bakersfield. They noted that the the rear main seal and IMS are leaking oil. I have driven the car maybe 800 miles since and no spots in garage indicating a leak. where's the leaking oil going?
I am looking into doing full IMS replacement with rear seal but am asking for advice:
Do I just purchase replacement parts from Pelican and do clutch in process?
( current clutch is fine but as long as we are in there-might as well)
or do I spend the $ 700 for full LNE Sealed IMS?
I'm just trying to do the right thing here as the car is beautiful with no problems and I would like to keep for a long time.
Thank you for any advice you can offer on this tired subject from a normally not paranoid guy!

tdrimer

Lne. If your current is a single row then get the ims pro which is a dual row that fits in a single row config. But you have to find a specialist that has the proper tool to install and i am not sure there are many out there. Regardless...get the ln bearing...

mharrison

From what I've seen, these seem to seep oil rather than being a more active leak. You'll generally see something like this if you get under the car:


(I borrowed this pic from another thread.)

Howaboutthat

This, as soon as reasonably possible, followed by Motul or Joe Gibbs oil every 5,000 miles. You may wish to hold off on the clutch until a second LNE bearing way down the line. Not sure 40,000 miles invites clutch service even with the car apart.

Macster

My experience with two cars and two RMS leaks is mixed. The Boxster RMS leak seeped oil with just a hint of an oil leak at where the engine and transmission bellhousing joined. Only once when I left the car parked for over a week with no use did a spot of oil appear under the car.

OTOh, Turbo RMS leak was a more active leak. The Turbo the oil leak was bad enough the underneath of the engine was wet with oil and the were spots of oil showing up under the car.

Jack's Happy

Thanks for the advice-how do I determine if I have a single or double row IMS?

Schnell Gelb

Single row Pro is 1-1/2 row .Just a geekish thing.The "2" rows are staggered.So fewer ***** than the normal double row. But wonderful anyway.
http://imsretrofit.com/gen-2-single-row-ims-retrofit/
http://www.google.com/patents/US4055371

If you do the clutch do not overlook the DMF test. It is also a good test question for a candidate Indie.If they say -"oh they never wear out" ...move on
Let us know what you decide?

5CHN3LL

The RMS/IMS leak won't necessarily result in a dirty garage floor - just a messy engine.

Are you going to do the work yourself? If not, why isn't the indie taking care of the part acquisition? If the shop is competent, you should be able to specify what you want and let them deal with it. If your indie doesn't stock retrofit bearings for single and dual-row motors, IMO they don't do enough retrofits and you should find another that does. (All opinion, mostly biased, all unsubstantiated.)

My '99 started to slip at about 55K miles - that's when I bit the bullet and had the bearing and clutch serviced. If you're worried about the bearing, you might as well do the clutch. Maybe it has 15,000 miles left, maybe it has 1,500 - but the labor is the bear for both procedures, so to me it's reasonable to replace the clutch if you're doing the bearing as PM.

dgjks6

You need to drop the transmission and look. I think that is the only way. From what I have read the engine serial numbers do not help.

Nudzbone

A very reputable shop by me charges $3k, for RMS, IMS Retrofit, and clutch. The clutch is just a parts charge since the old clutch has to be removed.

Schnell Gelb

He is correct.I have the same year/same issue.
Do not rely on a quick visual of the IMS flange unless you are an expert. It may have a retrofit.
Remove the flange and verify.

white out

I would replace the clutch while it's out.

Also a good time to do upgraded engine mounts and trans mount.

Jack's Happy

Thanks folks-Sounds like I need to find some more money.....Anyone recommend a good shop in Southern California?

Schnell Gelb

Suggest you contact fellow Rennlister BYPRODRIVER .He is in Costa Mesa and knows everyone in the local Porsche world. Nice guy with a good rep on Rennlist too.

Jack's Happy

you guys are the best-thanks so much!