RMS & IMS Seals Problems

[Greenslade]

I bought this car in October last year and am very happy with it. It has a complete OPC history and has been very well maintained, with lots of parts being replace i.e. Discs and pads, radiators , coil packs, clutch, front diff seals and other items as required as a result of being serviced. But I am worried about the number of times the seals have had to be been replaced i.e.

May 2009....RMS & intermediate shaft housing and seal removed and replaced
Dec 2010....IMS seal- upgrade
Oct 2011..... IMS seal- replaced

This week when inspecting underneath I noticed that there is an oil leak in exactly the same location as the last time. I have been in touch with my OPC in Cardiff and booked it in for inspection and I hope correction. Luckily I have a Porsche warranty until the end of this year.

If it proves to be the IMT it will have had 3 seals replaced in a 14 month period, I am very concerned about this and have written to Porsche GB expressing my concern. Is there anyway I could future proof myself on this continuing to occur. Current mileage is 57000 miles.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Roy

 

[Peter_Bull]

Sadly the only way is to get a Porsche Extended Warranty on your 996.

 

[Nick_USA]

The leaking seal is a well known problem on this type of engine.

Some thoughts, most seals will 'sweat' and to the untrained/inexperienced eye leads to premature changing of the seal.

The problem with changing the seal is that unless it is seated correctly and the area thoroughly cleaned prior to installation the new seal may leak more than the previous one.

 

[thirteeneast]

My car had 3 RMS in 3 months when it was new!.


Do you have a picture of the leak?

 

[Greenslade]

Hello Peter, seems that I will not be able to have another Porsche warranty as my car will be 9 years old this November.
Thanks for reponding

 

[Greenslade]

Hello, RMS is OK (I think) it's the IMS that could be faulty... will try and get some photos this weekend

Thanks

 

[Greenslade]

Hello Nick, looks more than a 'sweet'' oil is pooling below on the gearbox/engine outer casing.

Thanks

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: Greenslade
Hello, RMS is OK (I think) it's the IMS that could be faulty... will try and get some photos this weekend

You won't be able to tell without taking the gearbox off - one is vertically above the other.

 

[kasspa]

Hi Roy,

Have just had both RMS & IMS seals done on mine..... evidently. it is important that the bolts (I think 7) are replaced too as oil can seep through them......

hth

paul

 

[Greenslade]

Thanks, another step on my learning curve

 

[Greenslade]

Hi Paul, hope that all is now OK. How long did your seals last, and any idea how long they should last?.

Thanks
Roy

 

[kasspa]

I'm new to this as only had car 2 years..... I'm told this is about the 10th mod for RMS & there is never any guarantee.....

In fact my leak was more than likely coming from IMS but both done.
Given my car is 8 years old I think it's done well as I've read that some owners have had several replacements... ouch!

Plus side, was £450 cheaper than OPC & my gear shifts feel so much smoother!
Don't know if any adjustments were made to gear linkage after gearbox removal/replacement as I think they're cable operated.... something I need to ask!

No doubt I'll be corrected on here if I'm wrong[]

Paul

 

[Magic919]

I think it may be the case that these got fixed under warranty a few too many times. One of mine needed RMS and the OPC had to support the claim with photographs, as it had needed one before. They have to dismantle and clean up. Run it and show the leak. Fix it and then run, along with a pic showing it's better.

Other car needed RMS according to OPC, but turned out to be IMS seal when Indy stripped the car. I had bearing replaced too, plus clutch and flywheel.

 

[Greenslade]

When the seal on my car was done last October, it was just the IMS they changed. They carried out the same routine as with yours to prove the leak tp Porsche GB. As this was warranty work I asked if they would be changing the RMS at the same time as a precaution..they said no, as it was not leaking and that Porsche had a new policy of 'managing leaks' from RMS & IMS seals...one of the techs said that it was possible that the RMS could be damaged when changing both!!

I have been contacted by my local OPC, due to the letter that I sent to Porsche GB, they sounded pretty keen to get things sorted. Since the last time the seal was changed my gear shift feels more 'lumpy'...so will get it checked out.

Either way. I love the car and will just deal with any further problems as and when they crop up

Roy

 

[Buddy]

One thing to be noted is that if a part is changed by an OPC it is covered by warranty for two years whether you have the extended warranty or not, however, not sure where you stand regarding labour cost if the part is said to be defective rather than if it was incorrectly fitted.