Just had engine out to pin coolant fittings. Replaced clutch and did Guard LSD rebuild while engine out. 60k on the clock.

Fast forward, engine back in after 1 month of inactivity and there's a small oil leak from area near RMS on the initial test drive. RMS was replaced under warranty when car was almost new. I've never seen a drop of oil since.

Do I need to now go back and replace the RMS, or is possible that with additional driving the proper vacuum seal will be created stopping the leak?

Has anyone been here before?

 

It's unfortunate that your RMS is leaking after a clutch job. A common phrase people say here with regard to repairs is "while you're in there" items. My understanding is that most people who have a minor leak with their RMS wait to fix it until they also need a new clutch. When replacing the clutch the RMS is certainly a "while you're in there" item to replace as the labor is almost free at that point with everything disassembled.

Even though the seal in your car was replaced when new, that was 12-13 years ago. I'd be surprised if anyone with a 996 is still on the original seal and not experiencing any oil leaks. Driving the car regularly should help lubricate the seal and create the vacuum you mention but then again, many cars go into hibernation for up to half a year and don't develop a leaky RMS while sitting.

In your case, since you just replaced your clutch i presume the last thing you want is to have the car disassembled once again. I would monitor the leak for now and check the oil level with the electronic oil display every drive to ensure that it is indeed a minor leak.

 

drive it- clean it - drive it- drive it- It can fix itself. .. sometimes. recheck. How big a drop? Sometimes storing with full oil contributes to leak as well.

 

I go through this every year as vehicle is winter stored. So far driving it 2 to 3 times a month stops the leak. Hope you are as lucky.

 

Big relief; it was just the front seal. Bumper off, seal replaced, leak gone. I've enjoyed the fact that this car has never left a drop on the floor and am happy it will stay that way.