In between my two Porsches, a 95 993 and a 2003 C4S, I bought a brand new Viper, 2002 GTS,ACR. Got it home, with 47 miles on it.

Next day huge RMS leak oil all over garage floor. Took them two tries, but Dodge fixed it and delivered it to my home. Never had a problem after that.

It's not just Porsche is my point. The Viper stickered at $82,000, I think I paid $72,000 so it's on expensive cars too.

 

There seem to be some fundamental laws of physics that make it inherently difficult to come up with an oil tight seal around the spinning crank shaft. If its too tight the friction would presumably heat up and burn of the seal, but if its too loose it will leak.

If you look at any parking lot, every stall has an oil spot under the RMS point and if you look at any highway, there is an oil slick down the middle of the tire tracks. At my office even the reserved parking area, which has pretty much only newer cars, has oil spots in all the stalls.

I wonder if there is any chance at all that Porsche rear main seals are really no, or not much, worse than any other brand?

 

I agree with you, I was thinking the same thing.

Lexus has great statistics as far as low incidence of *reported* problems. But everytime I've ridden in a Lexus or other high end Japanese car, I notice problems (vibrations, noises, broken functions, etc) that the owner is just oblivious to. Maybe Porsche owners are just perfectionists? I know I am.

 

Its funny that you mention Lexus. My wife's 2002 LX470 which cost more than a base 996 developed an oil leak within 20k miles. It took them a week to fix it and they never told her what it was. Hmmm could it have been...?

 

Yes every car probably has the problem but on a £70,000 car I expect better. When it happens to your car then come tell me your still happy
with the quality.

No matter, this car is still my little baby and I love her

 

The 993 does not suffer from a RMS problem like the 996. This is a rare problem for the 993. Most oil leaks on a 993 are a result of a leaking valve cover gaskets, an easy fix that any DIYer can do. Now CEL and carbon build up in the secondary air injectors...that seems to a problem that is developing with the 993.

 

Is this true?

If so, what makes the 996 more susceptible to the RMS problem than the 993?

What's your guess as to the percentage of 996's with a RMS leak? Is it the same percentage of Boxsters?

I'm planning on buying a Porsche in the Feb. - April time frame and this RMS thing has got me concerned.

Charlie

 

I've been reading about leaks ont this board for a while now... what are the signs of an RMS leak vs a broken coolant bottle/hose? In an RMS leak will you see coolant on the ground or OIL or a combo?

 

Brian (bet) is right,......

The 993's and their predecessors do not have RMS issues unless a tech installed one incorrectly at rebuild time.

This problem is indigenous to the 996 and 986 engines and even a few in the 996 TT engines. I'd venture that either Porsche's current manufacturing operations has a QC problem or a seal vendor has supplied a large batch of defective parts.

To their credit, Porsche has been very good about warranty repairs thus far.

c70Pete:

You'll see some oil on the floor under the car in the center between the engine and tranny if you have the RMS problem.