The German automaker, Porsche, has been building great cars since the company was founded in 1931. The Porsche Boxster is a two seat roadster that was introduced in 1996 with the first generation 986. As much as Porsche owners love this sporty vehicle, they have been known to have some mechanical problems from time to time.
The M96 engine has a reputation for having a problem with leaks to its rear main seal, also known as the RMS. The problems were thought to actually have originated in the intermediate shaft cover, but there can be no doubt that some of these leaks originated with the rear main seal as well. While performance was generally not affected by these leaks, if not repaired, eventually this could have a negative impact on the clutch.
Of course owning a Porsche is a significant financial investment, to say the least, so any leak is unacceptable regardless of whether it is considered crucial or not. At any rate, the reasons for the leak aren't clear. It could be that the crankshaft does not have enough support on the back end or it may also be the fact that the crankshaft carrier support is not pinned down adequately causing it to shift. Regardless of what might be causing the leak, this is something that should be addressed by a trained professional.
If your are experiencing a problem with a rear main seal leak or any mechanical issue with your Porsche 986, be sure to take it in to a nearby German import technician for a complete diagnosis and estimate for repair.
Search for a local, independent Porsche repair shop with Porsche mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.