Leak from rear main seal
 

I just started up the new 3.2 Short stroke that I just completed and got a fairly substantial puddle of oil from the rear main crankshaft seal area. Enough that is clearly under pressure (a light stream, more than a drip)

Since it is under pressure, I'm assuming the failure is the seal itself and not the o-ring yes? (After looking at an old nose bearing, it doesn't look like the o-ring seals the pressurized oil......rather it seals in the case oil.

Is this logical?

Yes it is. Your seal might have gotten pinched on the install. It's a relatively easy fix though...

-Wayne

Thanks Wayne... I am hoping that it's just that seal or the layshaft cover gasket. Don't want to split the case again. Simple enough to drop the back of the motor down and fit a new one.

Technically, that's a front seal even though it is in the rear of the car. It's the front of the engine. Sorry for being so picky.

I too hope you can fix this leak without splitting the case.

Front seal? Why would that be the front?!

Thanks for the well wishes... I've got the suspension completely rebuilt/refurbished, motor should be bearly done... Just need to take care of the bodywork now...

Porsche's new notorios problem on the 996 is the RMS failure. Rear main seal aka flywheel seal. So yours is really the front seal aka pulley seal. Duno why but Germans are backwards when it comes to cars ;) .....

Chris,

Partial engine drop and a new pully seal are fairly easy, heck I even did that successfully ;-) You might want to run an emery cloth around the lip to ensure there are no notches that could tear the new seal.

I'm not worried about that seal and the work... Can do the whole job in less than an hour. With the wide open race motor compartments I can do a clutch pull and replace in 2 hours by myself. :D

My biggest concern was the o-ring. I was VERY careful not to pinch it and lubed it well, but of course, since that's the worst case scenario I started worrying. I'll replace the FMS today and see what happens.

This is just lowering the back half of the motor... No biggie..

FIXED!

Seal was torn ever so slightly where it rides on the crank.

Thanks. 3.2L Short stroke rides again! (After 2 years and coming to be in about 15 boxes... :D )