Another RMS

[gRed04]

Originally Posted by jamscal

1. How does a leaking seal cause complete engine failure, where the end result is the purchase of a 10k engine?

Hi James,

There are really two RMS leaks you hear about.

One is a leak due to a defective seal. Just need to replace it and you are good to go.

The second is a leak due crankshaft movement. Replacing a seal here does not help and this is where you may need a engine replacement. Porsche has a tool that checks and determines this condition.

There is alot of discussion that the engine design causes ( or allows ) crankshaft movement so it is believed that potentially all engines will eventually have this issue.

Not sure I buy that as you can read about many happy owners with lots of miles and smiles. However, I am no mechanical engineer or even mechanic for that matter so just my opinion.

I thought someone published a pretty good tech article about this issue in detail. Anybody have the link to that? Thought it may be PCNA?

[Brucelee]

I hope we didn't wig you out too much. Frankly, I don't have any data that suggests that Boxster motors crater at any greater rate than others.

The RMS issue is real though and no, we don't have any reliable publised numbers on how likely you would be to get one.

If you develop a good relationship with your service advisor at Porsche, he will give you tons of good infor on the car, most of which is never published.

[MikenOH]

as Bruce said, don't be too freaked out. I just voted with my wallet and bought an '06' after owning a '99'. If I thought that major mechanical problems were a given, I'd have gone another way.

Having said that, extended warranties can take some of the worry out of owning a car like a Boxster. I bought one for the '99' from the dealer and it ran about $1500 for an additional 4 years; we only drive 6K/ year so mileage was only 60K total on the coverage. I felt better buying it from the dealer-the policy was under written by Primus (Ford)--rather than a stand-alone insurance company given how one extended warranty company failed recently.

Not sure if you can buy one for your car now, but GEICO(?) I think offers coverage on mechanical parts as part of their automotive policies. My brother had a Chrysler tranny replaced at around 80K and it only cost him the $200 deductible.

[jamscal]

Thanks for the clarification and reassurance, guys.

I've read a bit more on it at PCA.org...but there's a bunch of info to look at.

I guess by 'bad engine' it is meant that it won't hold allow an RMS to seal, due to the crank not being aligned, and not that it locks up/ stops running.

I also infer from some sites that Porsche replaces (Replaced) engines under warranty, and they are shipped back without being opened... making an aftermarket type solution difficult or impossible, at least this early in the game.

That is, if there is a solution.

BTW I have a Nissan vg30et in an early rx-7, and they use one of those 'crank cradles'... supposed to be super strong.

I've read where the stock vg block was used in those red white and blue Nissan GTP cars from years ago, to 700HP.

Thanks again,

James

[RandallNeighbour]

jamscal:

One thing no one has written to you yet is the fact that a drop or two of oil on your garage floor should not be instantly assumed to be an RMS issue. My driver's side cam cover drips a little now and then, and what I thought was an RMS leak turned out to be some oil dripping from the filter housing after an oil change.

My mechanic said lots of boxsters and 996's have cam cover leaks... and not to be bothered by it until it gets stead or you have a couple of hundred bucks to throw at a new gasket and labor. I see no noticeable loss in oil due to this leak.

Don't jump to conlusions. Get the car on a lift and look at it with a flashlight. You may have little to worry about.

Plus, the RMS issues typically start as a drip and then get worse from what I've read, so if you watch the garage floor it will tell you if the car is symptomatic before you have catastrophic engine failure. So take another deep breath

[Ronzi]

I don't think the issue is whether or not the RMS ultimately leaks. It's probably like a water pump. Every car that has one will ultimately suffer a water pump failure. But that doesn't necessarily mean the pump or it's design was defective.
The question is one of premature failure.
What, then, is premature failue?
We could probably all agree that RMS failure at 20k miles would be premature.
How about 50K miles?
How about 50K miles with a (gasp) RACING or DE history?
How about 80K miles?
Etc.
If we ever see the results of this "survey" that is presumably being conducted independantly of Porsche, we may get a few answers, such as are the newer cars statistically less likely to experience RMS failure, or failure at increased mileage. I suspect this is the case but obviously I have no data to back up that opinion.
This issue is probably much like the 911 timing chain tensioner situation from years ago, mentioned earlier on this thread. Porsche made a series of design changes that over time resulted in the elimination of the problem, but it took a while.

[Brucelee]

Cam cover leaks are pretty common on the Box. I got charged $550 for one repair.

[BadBoyS]

I did a RMS search but can't find the info I am looking for. What is the composition of the seal??? I know Chevy has the same issue It's been known about for years. i have rebuilt a few engines and there is aways a debate on how to put them in and if they do leak some try some of the store bought remidies BLAH BLAH. Is there an additive that can swell the seal if it is the right composition? Is there an additive to extend the rebuild out come?? I know some that have used a Alumiseal to fix a head gasket leak and either buy them time or fix the problem... At this point TG I am not having the issue And Sorry for all that this has hit..