BlueJay73

Hi all. I'm new to the Forum. I bought a new 997 C2 on July '06. Drove it back home from dealership in Roswell, Ga. (575 miles). Long-ish trip, so drove at varied speeds, and not abusive to the engine in any way. Now have 2000 miles on it. Should have been good break-in, the way I did it (a variety of everything, but again, not abusive). In the last couple of days, I noticed a small oil drip on the concrete under the rear of the engine. Is this normal, expected in a 2006 997? This happened with the 1989 911 C2 I owned, also. I'd appreciate your input to see if I should go get this checked. Concerned...let me know if I should be REALLY concerned. Thanks. JIM

brownie

Not normal! I would take to a dealer

cvazquez

Take it in under warranty and get them to provide you with a loaner vech. Until they get it fixed or diagnosed.

gpjli2

Could be just cosmoline leaking/burning off bottom of engine. Thats no problem. Have them look at it.

Edgy01

If oil it may be the dreaded RMS (rear main seal). From everything I have seen so far the 997 motors should be very tight,--with no leaks or seepage.

99firehawk

take it in could be cosmoline could be oil see what it is

SrfCity

This is what it is IMO. Join the club

The B

LOL, thats my bet as well...you may become part of a secret subset of Porsche ownership.

BlueJay73

I looked at it a little better. It's definitely oil, not cosmoline. The black metal pipe on the left side of the engine (an oil return tube, if I remember from my 1989 911 days) is wet. I do not know if the leak is right there, or coming from somewhere ABOVE the pipe and dripping down onto the pipe and thus getting it wet. I'll definitely take it to the local Porsche dealership to check it (after all, shouldn't cost me anything, being under warranty). I hope the local dealer does not give me problems, since I bought the car out of state. BTW, I'm not disappointed with the car, as some people I've read on the forum are pretty quick to knock it.. I had the 1989 911, and have been wanting to get back into a 911 since then. It's a blast to drive, and I'm having a ball! Soon as I get a good picture, I'll upload that as my avatar. Glad to be here !
JIM

500

So some 997's are also suffering from this 996 malady?!?

gota911

Yes, the 996 does NOT have a corner on the RMS market, though it "appears" that the percentage of RMS issues on the 997 is not as high as on the 996.

JohnnyBahamas

Don't be concerned. The exact thing happened to me with my C2S... in the exact time frame. Now it might not be the same in your case but in my case it was a 1) Vario Valve Cam Seal ( passenger side head )
and
2) An RMS leak

I was very concerned. Actually, I was concerned and PISSED. Worse part about the entire ordeal is that it takes 6 hours - IF - the Tech has done many. Best part was that I got to grill the Tech for 15 minutes about the problem and what it was.

Turns out that an RMS leak is just that... a Rear Main Seal leak. The "seal" is frankly just a beaded gasket that is placed between two VERY finely machined, large, round, thin pieces of metal. It's NOT the machining; it is NOT the torque of the fasteners; in fact, it's NOT any thing to do with the permanent parts.

It is simply a gasket in a VERY labor intensive place to replace... and once you get to it, it's a artform to get it lined up oil tight.

So, don't be concerned.
Drive it, you're fine.
Be pissed that your f-ing P-car leaks oil.
Book an appointment at the BEST stand alone P-car dealership you can find.
When you book it, tell the service manager to have a Vario Cam Seal Kit and an RMS seal kit in the shop... for the best RMS experienced Tech they have.
Take a day off from driving her and drop her at the shop.
End of day she never leaks again.

cr2000

Good article for RMS first timers:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...e=post&id=3223

gravedgr

Jim,

Did you get your car from Hennessy (I'm assuming you did - there are only 2 Porsche dealerships in/around Atlanta)? Sorry for your problems - they found a RMS leak and VarioCam leak (same as JN) on my 03 996 when I took it in for a PMI and 15k service. I got to visit the garage and see the guts while they had it tore apart (very cool!), and they said the latest seal (based off the Cayenne if memory serves) should be much better.

Regardless, the issue was fixed and I didn't lose a drop (or need to add oil) for the remaining 6 mo/7k miles I had the car. You will be fine after a little warranty-coverend maintenance.

Chris 996

It's not a porsche unless it has at least one RMS challenge. Your car is now official.