RMS, IMS, or other leak?
 

In the midst of a clutch replacement and am doing the IMS, RMS, etc. It's a 99 Box with about 42K miles. I purchased it about 18 mos ago with 39K miles on it. Has been running great so far.

I pulled the trans and flywheel. The engine has a lot of grime on the engine/trans underside and inside the trans bell housing. I expected to see obvious leaking from the RMS or IMS seal. See photos of the bell housing, and of the IMS/RMS. Where do you think the leak is originating from that's causing all the grimy buildup?

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I bet that it's the IMS flange seal. That's how one of my '99s looked and the RMS was still good at about 127k miles. My leak was bad enough that it would leave an oil spot under the car and the bearing itself still looked good when we replaced it with a LN dual row. Still, get a good look at the input shaft on the transmission before it all goes back together.

Additional pic with throw out bearing and fork removed. Still not sure but perhaps a mainshaft seal leak?

Also looks like my pilot bearing is stuck on the shaft in stead of the flywheel.

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The transmission is very similar to the 01E transmission used in Audis and a few VWs. If you can't find much Boxster specific stuff there's more on the 01E if you are looking at seals or bearings in general.
stuff like this https://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/threads/28360.phtml

THANK YOU -- that was helpful! I'll inspect and likely replace the input shaft seal.
I was wrong about the pilot bearing -- it's still in the flywheel.
I popped it out and it looks to be in good condition although I will put a fresh one on.

The RMS and IMS seals look great compared to mine. I'd say that oil seepage is from the transmission side as you suggested.

just curious did you observe the cam shaft deviations before you started, and what did the visual inspection of the removed ims show? Mine is an 04 S, tiptronic with just over 40k miles. Rick

Not yet -- haven't locked down the crank/cams. Waiting for the tool.

Whoops I didn't read your question correctly. I don't have a durametric so not checking them.

No problem. Mine has the original ims and I am monitoring the cam deviations as an indicator of ims health so just curious. Still interested in you evaluation of the old ims when you get it out. Have a great weekend.

What would be the limit for cam deviation to be concerned of possible IMS issue?
I have durametric and will check this out - even though oil filter inspection by cutting it open is very clean.

+/- 6 degrees.

Thanks JFP!

When you graph the cam deviations if they are jumping around that is an issue. I have a copy of an article from a vibration analyst I can send if you are interested.

The article is here Good Vibrations
Interesting reading. Rick

Thanks Rick, Interesting reading.
Later on this week I'll check the cam deviation and especially if those are jumping around.