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Old 10-28-2011, 11:42 AM   #13
san rensho
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami florida
Posts: 1,591
Very good numbers Chairman. The thing to look at is the variation at idle and if its rock steady, you are ok.

But the cam deviation is just one diagnostic for IMSB condition. Some say cam variation occurs only in the very late stages of failure, right before detonation. Noises, like a rattle at idle or a sound like a waterpump going are also signs of a bad IMSB. And of course, metal in the oil filter and magnetic oil drain plug are almost always a sure sign of impending failure.

Theres also the question of how much warning you get from the time the bearing begins to go until total failure. If that period is less than your oil change interval, then you are not going to catch it by oil filter inspection.

For a very legnthy discussion on warning signs of impending IMSB failure, see this discussion on Pedro's Board. IMS guardian

I use cam variation, filter and drain plug examination and a stethescope to listen to the area around the IMSB to check the condition of the IMSB, but the only real guarantee against failure is to get it replaced.
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