The 996 series of Porsche’s tremendously popular 911 line was introduced in 1998 and ran until 2004. Along with a new water-cooled engine (soon to become an industry standard), the 996 also featured a completely redesigned interior and a much sleeker body for its two-door racing frame. A persistent issue with the 996 is oil leaking from the Rear Main Seal.
There are a vast number of seals throughout your 996 that prevent the various oils and lubricants from escaping from your car and pouring into the earth. Unfortunately, as things have a tendency to do, these seals will wear down over time, and some of them will begin to crack, causing them to not perform their duty at all. 996 owners will attest that one of the primary places where leaks occur is from the Rear Main Seal (RMS). When this begins to leak, you can expect to see oil leaking over the flywheel, transmission, and the inspection cover as well as the ground beneath the car.
If a Rear Main Seal leak is allowed to remain unattended for any length of time, you will find your car running dangerously low on engine oil. The engine oil is one of the most important components in your car, and it makes sure that most every internal part can move without too much friction and heat building up. If your car runs out of oil, your engine will seize up, basically destroying the vehicle.
Obviously you don’t want this to happen. The best thing to do is to look beneath your car. Is it dry? It should be. If you see any oil, there is very likely a leak. If you see oil or if you are at all unsure, immediately make an appointment with an independent German import service garage. The following diagnostic will locate the places where any leaks might be occurring, and the mechanics will make your vehicle run beautifully once again.
Search for a local, independent Porsche repair shop with Porsche mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.