[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by subieworx

I have been having an issue with my Boxster. I bought it in pieces after the previous owner attempted to install a clutch and ended up bending valves. Long story...

At the time of rebuilding the motor I installed a new rear main seal, put the engine back in the car and went about having fun with it. About 2 weeks after getting it up and running I noticed an oil leak and a week later noticed it was getting progressively worse. I was able to narrow it down the back of the engine/bell housing area and proceeded to pull the trans out. I found that the rear main seal was incredibly crooked and the engine was leaking heavily from the back of the crank. I chalked this up to somehow installing the seal wrong, even though I have installed hundreds of rear mains and am familiar with the process, installed a new rear seal and put the car back together.

It has not been about 3 weeks and the oil leak is back same as before. I have not pulled the trans out yet again, but plan to this weekend. I have a feeling I know what I will find.

All that said, has any else had issues with rear mains working themselves crooked and leaking after a couple hundred miles of use? I have never seen this before on another car.

Edit: I have been using Victor Reinz seals. I am going to try an OEM from Porsche next.

This problem was written up in Excellence magazine several years ago. A couple of things are absolutely critical:

1. After the old seal is removed, the block and crank areas must be scrupulously cleaned,
2. You should ONLY be using the updated PTFE seal.
3. You cannot even get finger prints on the seal or seal seating areas; Porsche released a special tool to install the PTFE seals without touching them.
4. NO SEALANT OF ANY KIND should be used on the PTFE seal. Install it dry.
5. If you still encounter leaks or seal movement after doing the above, Porsche has a special tool to check the block for concentricity (many early engines were not machined correctly, and this problem cannot be fixed. Porsche used to just replace the engine.)

Good luck with this one........................