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Had this car since new (March 2002) and at 4 years old ( March 2006) dealer advised that main oil seal was leaking which meant gearbox out to change seal. The car was out of warranty but had been dealer serviced since new. Porsche agreed to cover 100% of the part cost and 90% of the labour cost, which I though was generous and was accepted. The car has always been serviced by Porsche main dealer and the last service, April 2009 they reported that the same seal is just started to sweat again. Although they said it would not need replacing immediately it might if it started leaking more. Appreciate that this is a 7 year old car but I would have thought a Porsche should be able to make or source an oil seal so not have to have its gear box removed every four years or so to change. Not sure whether to let the Porsche dealer change the seal again or ask about another good will gesture or trust it to a specalist repairer, but I am not sure who they are.
Edited by Pugugly on 25/07/2009 at 00:45
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If it's just a minor leak I wouldn't worry about it, jsut keep an eye on the oil level.
there are two weak points on teh water cooled Porsche engines, the RMS (rear main seal) is one and unless it develops into a major leak its not worth worrying about. If you'd bought a manual car I'd say get it changed when the clutch is next done but you've got a tip so that doesn't apply.
Where abouts in the country are you and I'll recommend some trustworthy indies for it.
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Thanks for the information Spikeyhead, much appreciated. You mentioned 2 problems with the water cooled Porsche engines, just interested what the other one is ?. As you suggest I will not do anything unless it starts to leak a lot. Then would see to get it done by a specalist independent Porsche Specialists if you know of any in the Cambridge area.
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Not someone I've used myself, btu highly recommended.
Autostrasse Coggeshall Essex Tel : 01376 562922
The other main engine issue is the IMS bearing, Intermediate Main Shaft, if it gives up, which is rare but does occasionally happen, you'll need a new engine. Very very rare on a 2.7 though.
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Cris
Hi. I've got a similar problem on my Boxster S 2003. Had the car from new & have no warranty, also regular main dealer service. They quote £830 to replace. This seems to be a common problem with Boxsters & a possible design flaw. How did you manage to get Porsche to agree to be so generous?
Regards
IainG
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Porsche have become increasingly tight with there goodwill lately, following their partially aborted takeover of VW.
Hartech believe it to be a design flaw, a google should show up details of that, and they probably understand more about this and other Porsche engine issues than anyone else in the country.
I'd find an independent to do the job, however if its just sweating a little then just keep an eye on it.
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Thanks Spikeyhead for your advice & I shall do as you suggest mate.
IainG
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Hi Iain,
Firstly sorry to hear that you've had problems with your Boxster. A simple problem which expensive to repair spoils what is otherwise an excellent car. If the £830 quote was from a Porsche main agent that seems very good, I'm sure the bill was over £1000 3 years ago. Actually I did not ask for a good will, that was their opening offer which was accepted straight away. It might have been that it was a low mileage car with FPSH. I would be interested to know if you've had the work done and by who.
By the way the Porsche dealer who did my work was Porsche Centre Cambridge, who have been very professional, helpful but expensive during 7 happy years of Porsche ownership.
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Hi Cris,
Its a small world - the dealer who has done the last three services on my car is Porsche Centre Cambridge -spooky or what! My gripe is no really with them as such & I agree with (almost) all of your last sentence. They detected a "sweating" RMS in June 2006. Car was under 3 years old & done @ 23k. This then became a documented leak in July 2009. Car had 31k on the clock. My main gripe is the RMS seal has now apparently been modified & from some research does seem to be a weakness which in my view shouldn't have occurred in the first place on an expensive car. Its made worse by the labour cost charged by a Porsche Main Dealer to do the job. Hartech, who were recommended seem to know their stuff about Porsches etc & quoted just over £350 ex Vat. This seems really reasonible when comparing main dealer pricing - you may be right about the orginal Porsche price of £829 being cheap. Porsche HQ are now telling me that this already includes a 25% discount.
Regards
IainG
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I would try a proprietary engine oil leak sealer.. Works quite well and at £10...
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dont those oil leak additives cause all the other seals to expand ?
not sure id want to use it in a decent car
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The 3.2 S engine replacemtn cost is around £11,000. I suspect that the 2.7 isn't much less.
Would you really fill it up with gloop in order to save a few hundred?
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Thanks to all for your recent comments & suggestions about the above. The bottom line, as I see it, is that sooner or later the seal will need to be replaced. The big question is about accountability & as I am still in dialogue with Porsche, the jury is still out on the final outcome. My view is that a gasket sweat is the first obvious sign of weakness & this will inevidently progress to a wet leak & the need to replace over time. I am also under the impression that the RMS gasket has been redesigned & if this is true would back up my argument. I would appreciate confirmation on this from anyone who may be better informed.
regards
IainG
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You won't get a penny out of Porsche.
Don't bother trying.
If you want a legal expert to tell you exactly the same then post on the Pistonheads Porsche forum and a well known barrister will tell you the same but far less politely.
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