Porsche Boxster Rear Main Seal Replacement Dubai
Stop a confirmed rear crankshaft oil leak with a correctly matched seal and careful fitting. Seal-only replacement has a planning budget of AED 3,675–6,825 including VAT. Get a clear quotation before gearbox removal.
Boxster rear main seal replacement cost
Allow AED 3,675–6,825 including 5% VAT for an uncomplicated seal-only job. These are planning estimates, not a confirmed fixed workshop tariff. Your model, gearbox and inspection findings determine the quotation.
What the seal-only budget includes
Normal gearbox removal and refitting, the compatible rear main seal, routine fitting hardware and consumables, cleaning of the accessible leak area and final checks. The seal is a small part of the bill; reaching it accounts for most of the labour.
The free initial fault check does not include gearbox removal or extensive leak tracing. Any charge for cleaning, testing or dismantling is agreed before that work begins.
What costs extra, and how long it takes
A clutch kit, flywheel, IMS work, damaged sealing surfaces, transmission repairs, an oil service and additional fluids are extra unless listed. Seized fasteners or previous repairs can increase the work.
Plan around 2–3 working days for straightforward seal replacement once parts are ready. Allow longer for extra repairs or ordered parts. We confirm the expected collection date with your quote.
Three typical repair estimates
These examples show how the work changes the total. They are budgeting scenarios, not completed customer jobs or binding quotations. Parts and labour below are before VAT; each headline total includes it.
986 manual: seal-only repair
AED 3,675–5,250
Total including 5% VAT
For a confirmed seal leak with a serviceable clutch and flywheel.
Parts and materials: AED 350–650
Labour: AED 3,150–4,350
5% VAT: AED 175–250
Includes: New compatible seal, routine hardware, gearbox removal/refitting, accessible cleaning and leak checks.
Excludes: Clutch, flywheel, IMS replacement, oil service and damaged engine surfaces.
Estimated time: 2–3 working days after parts arrival.
987 Tiptronic: gearbox access
AED 4,725–6,825
Total including 5% VAT
For a confirmed engine-side seal leak on a Tiptronic car; transmission condition is otherwise satisfactory.
Parts and materials: AED 450–850
Labour: AED 4,050–5,650
5% VAT: AED 225–325
Includes: Seal, normal fitting materials, gearbox access and refitting, accessible cleaning and final checks.
Excludes: Internal gearbox or torque-converter repairs, transmission servicing and unexpected fluid or hardware requirements.
Estimated time: 2–3 working days; additional faults can extend this.
Manual Boxster: seal and clutch
AED 7,350–10,500
Total including 5% VAT
For an RMS leak plus a clutch that is worn or oil-contaminated, with the flywheel suitable for reuse.
Parts and materials: AED 3,000–5,000
Labour: AED 4,000–5,000
5% VAT: AED 350–500
Includes: Matched clutch kit, seal, quoted release components and hardware, shared gearbox access and final checks.
Excludes: New flywheel, clutch hydraulics, IMS work and engine repairs.
Estimated time: 2–4 working days once all parts are available.
A 981 or 718, a PDK transmission, a replacement engine or unusual access requirements needs an individual estimate. Do not apply an early-Boxster example to a different engine and gearbox combination.
What this seal does
The rear main seal, often called the RMS, keeps engine oil inside the crankcase where the crankshaft meets the transmission. On a manual Boxster it sits behind the flywheel.
Heat cycles, ageing, damage to the sealing lip or a problem at the shaft surface can lead to leakage. Poor installation can also cause a replacement to leak. An oil stain around the engine-to-gearbox joint is a reason to inspect, not proof that this seal alone has failed.
We match the replacement to the fitted engine and check the sealing surface during access. Genuine Porsche and suitable supplier-branded options can be compared where available; the quote identifies the selected part. A vague “OEM-quality” description should not replace a manufacturer name or part specification.
Fitting depth, lip preparation and any waiting period before starting follow the instructions for that exact seal. Different seal materials do not all use the same fitting method.
Should the clutch or IMS be done at the same time?
Shared access can save repeated labour, but nearby parts should be assessed individually. A seal leak does not automatically require a clutch, flywheel or IMS bearing.
On a manual car, check clutch wear and oil contamination once the gearbox is removed. A contaminated friction disc can slip or judder; replacing the seal alone will not restore a damaged clutch. The flywheel is checked for wear, heat damage and movement before deciding whether it can stay.
Ask for the seal-only total and the additional cost of any justified clutch work. The gearbox removal should not be charged twice in a combined job. Our guide to clutch and flywheel replacement explains the separate choices.
Earlier M96 and M97 engines also have a separate intermediate-shaft bearing and flange. An IMS flange leak and a crankshaft seal leak are different faults. Any IMS bearing replacement requires engine-specific suitability checks and its own quotation.
Oil under the car is not always an RMS leak
Engine oil can travel across housings and undertrays before it drips. We trace the source so you do not pay for unnecessary gearbox removal.
- Engine-side leaks
- The rear main seal, nearby case joints and, on relevant engines, the IMS flange can leak in a similar area. Oil from higher up may run down to the same point.
- Crankcase ventilation
- An air-oil separator or ventilation fault can change crankcase pressure. Relevant symptoms and pressure checks help decide whether it needs separate attention.
- Transmission fluid
- A gearbox-side leak needs a different repair. Oil colour alone is not a reliable identification method.
Stop safely if there is an oil-pressure warning, rapid oil loss, heavy smoke or oil reaching hot components. Switch off and arrange assistance. A small seep still needs assessment, but does not justify guessing at the repair from a parking-space stain.
Which Boxsters need this repair?
Earlier flat-six Boxsters
The 986 and early 987 often raise RMS and IMS questions together. Confirm the fitted engine, previous seal work and any engine replacement history. Age or mileage alone does not tell us which seal is leaking.
A later 987.2 engine must not be treated as an early M96/M97 retrofit application. We check engine identity before discussing related IMS work.
Later cars and transmission choices
The 981 and 718 use different engine families and parts. The 718 range also includes both four-cylinder and six-cylinder versions. There is no universal “Boxster rear seal” for all of them.
Manual, Tiptronic and PDK access differs. Send the year, engine version and gearbox type; a VIN helps confirm the correct part.
How the repair is completed
- 01
Confirm the leak
Identify the fluid and source, check relevant history and agree any additional testing.
- 02
Approve the total
Confirm the seal, access labour, inclusions and any optional work before dismantling.
- 03
Replace carefully
Support the driveline, gain access, inspect the mating surfaces and fit the seal to its specified procedure.
- 04
Check the result
Complete refitting, fluid checks, a safe function test and a reinspection for fresh oil before handover.
Plan your workshop visit
Our independent Porsche workshop is in Al Quoz 4. Speak to the team about the leak, the parts choices and the cost of combining justified work. You receive a quotation to approve before repairs start.
Once you approve the repair, ask us to arrange free pickup from your Dubai location. Tell us if the car is losing oil quickly so the collection method can be agreed safely.
Warranty eligibility, parts coverage and labour terms must be confirmed on your job card. Read the repair warranty policy and retain your invoice.
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM. Sunday closed. Call +971 56 464 6081.
What to send for a quote
- Your Boxster year and model.
- Manual, Tiptronic or PDK transmission.
- Where you see oil and how quickly it returns.
Photos can help us plan the first check. We can request the VIN later if it is needed for parts matching.
Questions before you book
Is a rear main seal leak the same as IMS bearing failure?
No. The rear main seal seals the crankshaft. The intermediate-shaft bearing and its flange are separate components on relevant earlier engines. An oil leak does not establish that the IMS bearing has failed, and replacing the RMS does not replace or upgrade it.
Can a rear main seal be changed without removing the engine?
On many Boxster applications, access is gained by removing the gearbox and the components covering the seal while the engine is properly supported. The exact procedure depends on the engine and transmission. Engine removal or internal repairs are not assumed in the seal-only estimate.
Can I keep driving if it only leaves a few oil drops?
Arrange an inspection before deciding. Leak rate, oil level and where the oil lands matter more than the size of a stain. Follow the vehicle handbook for level checks. Stop for oil-pressure warnings, rapid loss, heavy smoke or oil reaching hot parts; there is no safe mileage allowance for an unassessed leak.
Will a stop-leak additive repair the seal?
An additive does not replace a damaged sealing lip or correct a worn surface, fitting error or ventilation fault. Do not add an unapproved treatment to the engine oil as a substitute for finding and repairing the leak.
Does the seal need replacing at a fixed mileage?
There is no universal replacement mileage for every Boxster. A confirmed leak, seal condition and access during other work guide the decision. An old but dry seal is a different situation from an active leak contaminating the clutch.
Why might a new rear main seal leak again?
Possible causes include an incorrect part, damaged lip, incorrect fitting depth, an unsuitable shaft surface, a ventilation problem or a different leak nearby. Repeat leakage calls for a fresh source check rather than automatically fitting the same seal again.
What should I send for a rear main seal quote?
Send the model year, engine and gearbox type, mileage, oil-loss symptoms and any previous clutch, IMS or engine work. A photo of the parking-space leak can help, but you do not need to crawl under the car. The final quotation follows inspection and part confirmation.
Request your repair quote
Share the year, gearbox and symptoms. We will explain the next step and confirm availability.