Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeoboxter
One possible explanation might be that the oil that gets trapped inside the IMS and hence in the bearing is overused and dirty as it`s not replaced with the oil changes. Also, the gas that seeps through the bearing during cooling-warm up cycles is crankcase gas, which contains CO2 and other potentially corrosive chemicals coming from burnt gas and oil. Now, if you leave your car unused for years, the bearing sits half way submerged in this dirty oil inside the tube. Being half way exposed to the oil for years may cause an uneven wear pattern which might lead to future failure?
This is just a theory that I just came up with, don`t take it for granted 
But for this reason I added a "drain hole" to the IMS where the trapped oil can escape.
An additional note: my car had 100k miles and spent 11 years in a garage with the engine seized. The IMSB was original and in a perfect shape. But the oil it was sitting in was black and dirty. |
While we're on the subject of drilling and modifications; From my research, I believe the best, cheapest, and simplest way to keep fresh oil in the bearing is to tap a hole in the opposite end of the IMS shaft behind the oil pump and remove both seals from the IMSB. This way oil will actually circulate.
Full disclosure: I have not done any such mods to mine, nor have I changed the IMSB. But if I decided to do it, that's the route I'd go.
Yes, I'm aware of the DOF from LNE. While it's good, it's not the simplest nor cheapest. Plus, I'm a bit uneasy about having a pressurized external oil hose. My brother had an Audi with an external oil line. Unbeknownst to him, it ruptured and within seconds of the oil light coming on the engine was toast. The oil was pumped out that quickly.