The Porsche 997 is a series that stems from the Porsche flagship, the 911. Released in a tremendous amount of formats (Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4, Carrera 4s, Turbo, GT2, and GT3 for starters), the 997 went on to become a wild success, receiving nearly universal acclaim from automobile critics and consumers alike. Although highly reliable, the 997—which was produced between 2005 and 2012—suffers from some problems, one of them being a malfunction of the RMS (Rear Main Seal).
The Rear Main Seal is one of the primary seals installed throughout the car to make sure that all the oil and lubricant stays where it should. As time progresses, and as your car begins to experience extreme temperatures or adverse driving conditions, the seals will begin to wear down, crack, and allow the lubricant to leak out. The RMS happens to be one of the primary spots where these cracks happen.
If a crack develops, you will likely see oil splattered on the transmission, flywheel, and the ground beneath the car. As time progresses, the oil levels in the car will slowly drop, and you might find yourself in a situation where the car is running dangerously low on oil. Without oil, the car’s various moving parts will have no lubrication to keep them from aggressively rubbing against one another, potentially burning out key systems in the vehicle.
The clearest indication of any seal leaks is oil beneath the car. Take a look for yourself and see what you discover. If there’s any oil, or if you have any doubt, take your 997 to a nearby German auto maintenance technician for a complete diagnostic and examination in order to prevent any extremely dangerous situations from developing.
Search for a local, independent Porsche repair shop with Porsche mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.