Warranty cover for rear main seal

[n.turner]

I am yet another victim of the common problem with the rear main seal, which is very frustrating after only 3 months of ownership. I bought the car from an OPC, and only noticed the oil leak on the garage floor recently, though it may have been going on for a while as I only looked for a leak when the oil level had dropped slightly.

When I took the car in today I was surprised when they told me that oil leaks are not covered by the warranty, even if it is the commonly occuring fault with the rear main seal (hence the possibility of a rather heafty bill).

I am happy to say that they have just called and confirmed that it is the RMS and will cover it out of good will (after talking to the original salesman). I am obviously relieved about this, though was unhappy about the initial lack of cover for a commonly occuring fault. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

The other thing that interested me is the service guy saying that it would definately not happen again with the new seal, which seems to go against the experience of a few of you.

Nick

 

[thboxster]

"Definately not happen again"

Either the service engineer has a new magic wand or I would think it's more like he hopes it won't happen again.

There have been plenty of discussions about them going more than once. Over to you Helen.

 

[Guest]

Nick
Sorry to hear of your RMS problem but pleased that PCGB have come to the rescue!
From my limited knowledge of the marque the problem seems to be more common than you would expect - particularly for a car of this class.
It does seem to be a universal problem (he says lighting the blue touchpaper before retiring) afflicting the 986 and 996 range - a concern that shared and is well voiced by fellow owners in the US - see http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={1AB73C49-3482-4851-AEFE-3ED3A4D6AEDF} and others.

It would be nice if someone could get an informed response from those who know the full extent of the issue.
keep well
Nigel

 

[Guest]

I had exactly the same problem with my Boxster S after about 3 months. OPC Swindon where extremely helpful in getting the problem rectified with no quibble at all. However 3 months later I have just noticed a few spots apearing on the garage floor again! Wonderful!

 

[n.turner]

Thanks all for your response. Nigel, I went to the Porsche Club America site, which gives a useful insight with advice from a Porsche mechanic. He quotes using an "updated installation tool for the rear main seals" and goes on in response to another owner who had his engine replaced:

"We have seen the rear main seal problems go away and have not done that many since the new installation tool came out. There is a special tool that we use to check the alignment of the cradle assembly in the engine case. If it is not centered, the only repair is to replace the engine. I would imagine that, that is why they are replacing the engine, otherwise they would have put a new seal in the car."

I wonder if all the OPC's here are using the same equipment (ie actually check the alignment)? The suspicious side of me wonders how particular the service departments are, as it must be a real money spinner having all these cars coming back for RMS repairs, with the customer not being overly distraught as it seems that most are covered by warranty (even if they are not very forthcoming with the cover, as in my case today).

Any thoughts?

Nick

 

[Guest]

I had mine replaced by an independant at 48,000 miles in October last year. He said that the part number indicated Version 19 or something so they are obviously still trying to get it right.