Any truth to main bearing seal leaks?
 

Hi...Newbie here to the Porsche world.

I'm in th market for a well cared for 09S or 4S...most recently after leaving the Dealership one day I couldn't stop thinking about what this sales guy said. "That Porsche has had issues with sleaky Main Bearing Seal. Although he did go on to say how bullet proof these motors were.

What's with this seal and leaks of any kind for that matter?

Is this something I just have to put up with in owning one of these sweet rides? If so, not a fan. I hate crap on my garage floor from a well engineered product steeped in racing and performance history. No leaks...these aren't Harley Davidsons of past.

Thanks in advance or your input.

He was talking about a leaking rear main seal. It has been an issue in the past, but is much better than it was. All started happening when they went to the M96/97 case in the non turbo car and mass production (thanks toyota). The turbo's in the past have not had the issue because they still used the GT1 engine case.

Thanks PorscheDoc...

So...My potential purchase of an 09 CarerraS "will or will not" have this dreaded issue? I want a tight engine. These cars drive so nice that thinking they're going to be maintence headache will put the idea of actually owning a Porsche on the backburner. Way on the backburner.

Appreciate your response.

WFO12-gary

Typically the 997 platform is extremely bulletproof. On occasion you might have a rear main leak. While the internet makes it out to sound like every car has the leak, I assure you this isn't the case. I don't see many rear mains leaking on 997's, on very rare occasion, and I have never had to actually replace one due to a leak. The early 996's and boxsters were more common, though they were even few and far between.

One more note. Porsches in particular don't like to sit. They need to be driven on a fairly regular basis. If you drive it one a month, you are going to start having an occasional oil leak here and there (not necessarily just from the rear main). If you drive it a couple times a week, you probably won't have any issues. The new generation of Porsches aren't an investment (well they are, but a bad one). For instance, low mileage 996 twin turbos that were $140,000 new, are now down in the 40's in less than 10 years. With Porsche being classified as a large car company now, they are producing a hell of a lot more cars now than they did in the earlier years. This means more supply, and huge depreciation. So, if you are going to buy one, you need to drive it and enjoy the car, rather than let it sit and using it as an investment for the future.

That's good information PorscheDoc..thank you.