IMPORTANT: RMS Seal handling instructions

Guest · Jan 17, 2005

The following is a PNA TSB providing instruction for how to handle the Rear Main Crankshaft Seal during installation. In
particular, the instruction that the Seal should be installed "DRY". not pre-oiled. I took my car in today again for yet
another seal replacement and gave the service manager a copy of this TSB. He was not aware that the seal needs
to be installed DRY.

During RMS replacement, it is in your own interest to see that your OPC engineer adheres to this procedure.

John Ware · Jan 18, 2005

It suggests that all cars after Feb 22nd, 2000 with engine numbers of 11627 or more have the new seal fitted already (mine doesn't unfortunately). The question is if any of these newer cars are leaking?

GreigM · Jan 18, 2005

ORIGINAL: John Ware

It suggests that all cars after Feb 22nd, 2000 with engine numbers of 11627 or more have the new seal fitted already (mine doesn't unfortunately). The question is if any of these newer cars are leaking?

Yes - the new seal does not really improve the situation - except perhaps in a small percentage of cases. My 2003 boxster (same engine as 996, just different capacity) had its RMS leaking by 10K miles - I have a friend with a similar 2003 boxster S and under 10K miles is on his 3rd seal.

Tool Pants · Jan 18, 2005

ORIGINAL: John Ware

It suggests that all cars after Feb 22nd, 2000 with engine numbers of 11627 or more have the new seal fitted already (mine doesn't unfortunately). The question is if any of these newer cars are leaking?

That seal has been in production for 5 years. Many engines built with the seal, and some still leak. Then the exact same seal is put in again, and it can still leak. That's why just replacing the seal is not a guarantee the problem will not resurface. If the crankshaft is too far off-centered then a seal cannot retain the oil.

Guest · Jan 18, 2005

Jeff, I am now the record holder [&:]

Just had a new gearbox and clutch fitted and told them to replace the RMS again. It's now on its 7th.
I made certain they fitted it dry this time and also had them fit the new blue bolts. Let's see if it fixes it.
Don;t hold out much hope mind......but will know within 200 miles as the leak has always started within
200 miles in the past.

Must say, it's a different car with the new gearbox & clutch [

]
I guess I will have to run the gearbox in for the first couple thou miles?

Tool Pants · Jan 26, 2005

The cat is out of the bag. The 997 uses the third generation seal. This rennlist guy with a Carrera S has a 3.8, and there were a lot of internal changes to the motor. Same issue and same fix as for the 996/986.

Rennlist

And the good news is???? The new Boxster uses the same seal as the 997. I am counting the days for the first 987 verified report.

Guest · Jan 26, 2005

Jeff

Thanks for that - why is it some of us thought that would be the case - perhaps we are becoming cynical.

An interesting one on the Boxster page if you have not viewed that as yet - something about how good Porsche are with regards to engineering prowess[

]

blueSL · Jan 26, 2005

Notice that the 911 comes top for cars more than 8 years old but is (conveniently) not mentioned for new cars. That makes the 964 and 993 nicrely reliable (as we would expect) but the 996 a dogs breakfast. Great!

Tool Pants · Jan 30, 2005

The original seal that went into production in 1996 when the Boxster came out I think was 999 113 476 40. Then the second generation seal, 999 113 490 40, went into production on Feburary 22, 2000 for both the 986/996.

The third generation seal appeared on the 997. 999 113 490 41. The new Boxster, 987, still has on the parts list the the second generation seal. But if you try to order it it takes you to the superseded third generation seal.

So I went to my local parts department and took some pictures of the 2nd and 3rd generation seals. There is almost 5 years difference between the seals. Can you spot the difference?