Poll: RMS and Engine problem questionaire

[porsche986spyder]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

where your engine meets your tranny

Yeah, it means Rear Main Seal.

So is it an engine oil leak? Or a transmission fluid leak? Just curious.

[YellowJacket]

So I get a call from the wifey yesterday evening telling me how cool it is that oil drips puddle up nicely on top of the epoxy floor in the garage instead of sinking into it like with other floors. Hmm... score 1 point for the geniuses in the garage floor coatings industry, score -800 points for my wallet. :-(

Called the dealership and made an appointment for Friday for what appears will be an RMS replacement. Throw in $900 for 4 new tires, and even if they find that the clutch/flywheel are in perfect condition, this will be more than I've spent on the car in the entire 2 years I've owned it!

Grr... I've finally been bit by the RMS. 2 months after the warranty expired.

[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.

[cabjose]

All: have a 2002 Boxster S with 45K miles--no leaks yet--I bought the car as second owner at 20K miles. Do I need to worry about RMS failure? Thanks, cabjose.

[mrwiglzs]

Cant for the life of me find where my oil leak is coming from...I have a 98 boxster (AT-Triptronic) Does the RMS issue include automatic transmissions? Does anyone know how you can distinquish from the different types of oil leaks? I found oil on the top of my engine.....? It seems to be dripping down a small hose on the bottom of car.....I have read on one site that if you see oil on top of engine it can be the "oil return tube"???

[lee-enfield]

2001 Boxster S with Tiptronic. Purchased used in 2005, now at 23K miles with no sign of RMS leak yet. Only maintenance has been oil changes at 3K mile intervals.