[lfhunt1]

Hello -

I would like to ask you all few questions that you have no doubt been asked numerous times before - but I simply do not know the answers and would appreciate learning.

I'm looking into purchasing a used '03 996 C4S. The car I am interested in is out of state so I am going off descriptions and scanned-in past paperwork for services completed. All work in question was performed by a Porsche dealer / workshop in 2009 @ mile 17,500 by the second (latest) owner. The car now has 25K - and here are my concerns / questions:

#1). A tech replaced the "rear main intermediate shaft seal..."
- Is this the infamous "rear main seal" that I've heard so much about?
- The report says that the new buyer (back in '09) saw small drops of oil - so this got replaced. Have I cleared a hurdle OR will it likely go out again?
- I know that there is the intermediate shaft bearing to watch for.... are these two related in any way?

#2). (During the same service...) A tech also replaced a "faulty oil separator" due to "a large amount of smoke reported on start-up."
- Big deal?? How worried should I be on this one??

I do plan on having it looked at by a mechanic too however, do these mechanical issues sound so serious that I should move on and continue my search? Essentially, is this a lemon? Seems to me that these issues cropped up pretty early.... I love the car - but I am concerned.

Thanks in advance for everyone's thoughts.

Kind Regards,
L Hunt