Poll: RMS and Engine problem questionaire

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by porsche804

the problem you guys are having is ealily fixed, a 997 rear main seal put in correctly to the correct depth, (your porsche center should know this) and a smear of high temp grease on the inside lip of the seal ( the part that meets the crankshaft) the grease stops the seal being burnt at first start up. im still waiting to see one leak after four years,

Someone should tell Porsche about this fix. Apparently, they haven't quite caught on!

[986sport]

I bought my 03 Boxster from my local dealer Porsche certified. A one owner new Boxster trade which had been purchased at the same dealership. 33K miles. I've put about 5K miles on the car and have seen no problems.
The dealer also had a 01 996C4 for sale, Porsche certified, with 27K miles, in which they replaced the RMS. My impression is the RMS problem is greater for the 3.4L 996s than the Boxster--from my readings. I walked away from the 996 because of it. You can improve the sealer, but you can't improve the shaft if there is a tolerance problem.
My Boxster has no history of RMS problems, and none after 5K miles I've put on it.
I wonder how much RMS problems have to do with how the car is driven? Some of these cars get pampered, some get driven hard (track, etc.) That has to be a factor. Mine gets driven like an average car. Sporty transportation only. Same as the previous owner. It has not used a drop of Mobil 1 oil in 5K miles.

[Lucky]

I'm the 2nd owner of my 2000 S. Current mileage is 95K.

In May of '05 and after 69K trouble-free miles, the PO noticed a few drops of oil on his garage floor. He took it to the dealer that services the car and on inspection they concluded it was a RMS leak and arranged to repair. After dropping the tranny, they found the RMS was fine, but a leak at the IMS bearing cover. Dealer told him the bearing was failing and that there was no way to repair. Despite being well out of warranty, Porsche paid 75% of the engine replacement.

New engine has 25K miles on it and has no leaks.

So my car has had no RMS issue across two engines and 95K total miles. But the first engine did suffer the dreaded IMS problem, it just happened to be caught before the engine went boom.

[Gary in BR]

My car went 120k miles on the original RMS and no oil leaks at all. The only reason the RMS was changed was that I changed the clutch and assumed that I was better off changing it since we where in the area.

[kbrandsma]

Have you experienced a RMS leak? yes
Have you experienced mutiple RMS leaks no
Have you experienced an engine failure no

[turbo23dog]

We are at 49 respondents and 30% report RMS leaks.

Not sure we can interpret much from this. Does the poll limit people to vote only once?

[Piperdriver]

My 2003 Boxster experienced an RMS leak at 39000 miles. No further leaks or engine problems in the last 10000 miles. My previous 1997 Boxster experienced no leaks in over 120,000 miles

[fishyfishfish]

2004 boxster s 550 SE, 65,000 miles when purchased 10/07, 67,000 miles now, 3rd owner, zero history of RMS, car has ran flawlessly, needs nothing...

[Extreme916]

Hey guys,

I am in the same boat now. I don't know what to or who to believed..

I bought the 02 Boxster @ 47KMiles. It had went through 45K service along with leak fix and etc.. So after the purchased, I took it in for yearly maintenance to make sure oil has new, air bag check and break fluid flush. After that, i noticed the small oil leak (one or two drop when i park my car) and I didn't pay attention much because I thought it could be minor/lose nut.

Now.. 18 months after that service, I am close for 60K. I took in the car today and dealer told me that the car had a major oil leak and need to fix it.. leak at rear and front. so now I really don't know who to trust and what to do..

Your advises are welcome and I hope they are not ripping me off when it was just a lose nut or need replacement nut.



Thanks,
-Al.

[THTABE]

2001 Boxster 2.7L

Have you experienced a RMS leak? YES, 28,000 replaced by dealer.
Have you experienced multiple RMS leaks? NO.
Have you experienced an engine failure? YES! 74,000 mile OIL and Water mixed.

Dealer says these things happen. In this day and age engine failure at anything under 100K or even 150K is really unacceptable. This engine bathed in Mobil 1 and was never tracked.

TB

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Extreme916

Hey guys,

I am in the same boat now. I don't know what to or who to believed..

I bought the 02 Boxster @ 47KMiles. It had went through 45K service along with leak fix and etc.. So after the purchased, I took it in for yearly maintenance to make sure oil has new, air bag check and break fluid flush. After that, i noticed the small oil leak (one or two drop when i park my car) and I didn't pay attention much because I thought it could be minor/lose nut.

Now.. 18 months after that service, I am close for 60K. I took in the car today and dealer told me that the car had a major oil leak and need to fix it.. leak at rear and front. so now I really don't know who to trust and what to do..

Your advises are welcome and I hope they are not ripping me off when it was just a lose nut or need replacement nut.



Thanks,
-Al.

Have them put the car on the lift and show you the evidence of the oil leaks. If legit, you should be able to see for yourself.

Then, shop for a good price.

Good luck.

[wweirich]

2001 986, "S", 3.2 L, 49k miles, purchased used (3rd Owner) - originally a lease car, CT, and then to CA.

Have you experienced a RMS leak?::::::::::::: Yes (Repair is $1,284)
Have you experienced mutiple RMS leaks:::::: No
Have you experienced an engine failure::::::: No

The EBay dealer picked up 500 USD of the repair costs, much to our surprise, even after signging an "As Is - No Warranty" upon taking posession. I twas leaking on pick-up, a slow leak. I figured it was a minor leak. Wrong Buckwheat; It was definately a RMS failure - so, we are doing the Clutch Kit (and CV joint boots) at the same time for a grand total of just under $2.8k.

We own an aircraft, of age - 1964 - and we're used to throwing money at mechanical things to make them right. Its gratifying to see something run smooth again. I hope this repair is durable.

wmweirich@hotmail.com
Central Coast, CA

[HB986]

2002 Boxster S. Second owner. Bought at 36k; Currently 47k.

Service records indicate transmission (6 speed), clutch, and RMS were replaced under warranty at 15k.

No reoccurrence.

No engine failure.

[box_canyon]

99 Boxster 2.5, currently has 95k miles

Engine failure: Yes, at 65k miles (I did not own then)
RMS Leak: Yes, just now developing at 95k miles (only 30k on engine) I don't think prior owner had RMS issues, just the major failure and replacement of engine.

Question: At about 30k, with a dealer replaced engine, would Porsche cover any or all of the repair costs for the RMS leak? (wishful thinking perhaps... )

[ppbon]

98 Boxster 2.5, currently has 171,000 miles

Engine failure: Yes, at 23k miles and out of warranty. Porsche nevertheless paid for it.

RMS Leak: Yes, very minor. It wouldn't drip on the floor of the garage, so I never bothered. Also since 3 years ago I started using Mobil 1 High Performance 15W50 and the RMS leak has completely dried up.

I'm still on my original clutch!

Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

[djmunsey]

Mine is a 2002 Boxster S with 36,000 on it. They removed the tranny due to a leak at the shift lever shaft. When they did that we inspected the clutch and it was in bad shape so we removed the clutch and put a new one in. I had a RMS leak so I had them do the kit for that and for the Intermediate shaft too even though it wasn't leaking. All evidence is that my car was abused pretty hard. I am the 2nd owner.

[sfkjeld]

Perfect car. Just had a major service last month. No issues. Driving along, no warning, no overheating, no warning lights. Just kapow, oil and smoke everywhere.

Looking at $15k repair. Porsche of America declined helping me in anyway. Great company, great car. Not.

[udontknowjack]

[MarkOfZero]

YES, I currently have one. :-(

[evolvesociety]

Here's a link to another forum with useful information on the subject. Also, below that is the link to my project car's thread. Please read up on both and digest with your mind.

http://www.babblers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7139

My Rabbit scheme:
About A Rabbit