Dispeling M96 engine rumors

[landrovered]

Jake,

I have re-read the thread and it appears to me that there is more going on here than just some porsche mechanic offering an alternative view from yours.

To me it looks like there is something else going on in your life for this thread to illicit the above "I'll just take my football and go home" response. It does not add up.

I am the one that said that things like your "holiday IMS failure count" might be causing undue distress to boxster owner so if you have a beef perhaps I am the one you need to be speaking to.

You are passionate about your work, that is a good thing. You have a financial dog in the fight. There is nothing wrong with that. It is transparent and that is the way it should be. I applaud the work you have done and would be inclined to utilize your services in the future.

But...

Expecting unwavering gratitude from forum users is just dumb and it makes you look foolish when you go off because of a thread as vanilla as this one. You know that trying to get a consensus on the internet is like trying to herd cats.

My advice (its free so take it for what it is worth) is you should cowboy up and when someone offers a different view of the subject than yours, don't take it personally. Debate the issues and realize that it is not an idictment of all that you stand for nor is is a review of your company or your work.

I have not read anything but sterling comments on you and your company.

[Jake Raby]

To me it looks like there is something else going on in your life for this thread to illicit the above "I'll just take my football and go home" response. It does not add up.

Nothing else is going on in my life, these engines and the business I have built ARE my life. Consider the fact that there are currently posts on three other boards from vendor haters that are comparable to this one and it'll add up fairly quickly. I've been working with VW and Porsche enthusiasts since the age of 13 when I had my first paying customer for an engine build. Through all those years I've never experienced a group of people that thought vendors were so horrible, money grubbing, lying bastards.

Who gives a damn if I have a financial dog in the fight.. Trust that I work for every damn penny we generate here and all things totaled I probably end up making two friggin dollars an hour.

This week I saved a clients engine that was more than likely MINUTES away from failure, we didn't know it and he didn't know it but he came by and saw it apart first hand when we extracted his smoked bearing. I kept FIFTEEN THOUSAND dollars in his bank account, I wonder what he thinks about vendors?

Pour your heart and soul into something to have all of that questioned by people that would not know what an IMS bearing was if it fell from the sky and landed on their keyboard and you'd be just as pissed off as I am.

[JAAY]

We are fortunate to have a real Porsche engine builder/designer on this forum. The man has the best reputation and needs not to back up anything he says. Yes he wants to make a living on his service and products. Why is that so terrible? He has never pushed a product stating that we need it or else. IMS is a chance just like a hole in a piston or a bearing going.

[QUOTE=JAAY]We are fortunate to have a real Porsche engine builder/designer on this forum. The man has the best reputation and needs not to back up anything he says. QUOTE]

Could not have been said better. There are two, maybe three people on this board who really, really know their stuff. Jake is #1 - I'm very grateful whenever someone posts a question and he answers it.

[jpn]

I will be getting a 2000 boxster soon....hi milage around 90K. Car runs good, no funny noises and leaks I noticed...Do you suggest refitting a new IMS just for preventive purposes....the engine hasnt been opened up ever since new.....

I have no plans of tracking it...just gonna enjoy the car for drives in twisty mountain road...

[rick3000]

If it's a 2000 you don't really need to worry, IMS only affects post-01 cars. I don't even think Raby's retrofit will work on a pre-01 car since the redesigned IMS is what caused a the problem.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by rick3000

If it's a 2000 you don't really need to worry, IMS only affects post-01 cars. I don't even think Raby's retrofit will work on a pre-01 car since the redesigned IMS is what caused a the problem.

Absolutely incorrect.

The IMS syndrome is clearly an issue with ALL models and years of the M96, including pre-01 models.

The IMSR procedure and bearing is applicable to all M96 engines from 1997-2005.

[Dragonwind]

Originally Posted by jpn

I will be getting a 2000 boxster soon....hi milage around 90K. Car runs good, no funny noises and leaks I noticed...Do you suggest refitting a new IMS just for preventive purposes....the engine hasnt been opened up ever since new.....

I have no plans of tracking it...just gonna enjoy the car for drives in twisty mountain road...

You'll love it! I would get it done along with the clutch (and get the new RMS too). Everything that can be done while the transmission is off saves $ down the road and having the IMS peace of mind is worth it IMO. Mine's a 99 that just passed 90k and I try to drive it as much as possible. Nothing like a warm day with the top down on a twisty road in a Boxster!

Chris

[rick3000]

Originally Posted by Dragonwind

You'll love it! I would get it done along with the clutch (and get the new RMS too). Everything that can be done while the transmission is off saves $ down the road and having the IMS peace of mind is worth it IMO. Mine's a 99 that just passed 90k and I try to drive it as much as possible. Nothing like a warm day with the top down on a twisty road in a Boxster!

Chris

Like I said IMS rarely, if ever affects pre-01 Boxsters. But I agree, enjoy the car!

[Jake Raby]

Its not so much a matter of someone being turned down, because we have applied the IMSR to engines with over 85K. When that occurred there was some paperwork and understanding required all up front.

Some people that do not understand the engine or the IMS failure believe that when the bearing is retrofitted the engine is reincarnated and thats just not true... The IMSR addresses one mode of failure, one of the only ones that can be addressed with the engine together and in the car.

I should have made it more clear that we will still apply the IMSR to higher mileage engines, but conditions do apply. I did not make that very clear at all after I re-read my post after these responses.

[JMF]

I bought an '03 last year knowing all that was being reported about IMS failures. I did my research, learned about Jake's work, and decided that as soon as the CPO warranty is over next year I'll have him do the IMS upgrade. The clutch probably needs replacing anyway.

I'm not worried or scared that my car is going to blow up. I try to drive it like it was designed to be driven. I want to keep this beauty for a long time, and if a few grand buys some time and peace of mind, why not? The grins I get from driving this car are worth it.

I have never gotten the impression that Jake is any kind of snake oil salesman, and I'm surprised that he responds to the critics at all. But it makes for great reading ...

[Dragonwind]

Thanks for the clarification Jake. I do understand mechanics and never expect that this is a new life, but rather stopping something from killing would could be an engine that might run for a long time. I don't use the M word for oil and I've had a lot of other work done to it, including new radiators, RMS, water pump, thermostat, power steering pump and hoses, coil packs, plus regular maintenance items. I hope that between all that I can get a long life out of her.

Chris

[jcb986]

You either love the Boxster or hate it. I feel like that song when I'm breezing down the highway..."don't worry, be happy."

[landrovered]

jake,

No one ever questioned your passion here.

I not only read Porsche forums, I read about five Land Rover forums plus about six general automotive forums.

I feel for the vendors, I feel for the service writers that have to deal with every pretencious pricks that think their high dollar vehicle should never ever fail in any way.

Vendors are in a tough spot, they sell their wares and put up with a lot of crap but the good ones benefit from the process and gain business that they would not have if it were not for the internet.

I might question the zeal with which you warn the flock about the dangers of IMS failures.

Call it a marketing gripe but your threads are riddled with a tone of eventuality that can be taken in a way other than you intend.

"Tick Tick Boom" for example.

It is a tough thing to do, to warn folks with passion and zeal and not sound like Henny Penny.

"Fifteen minutes away from failure" for example.

Why not let your satisfied customers promote your services here on this board, obviously you have a lot of fans.

Then you can just share your knowledge without all the comments that can be taken by the reader as scare tactics.

[Jake Raby]

I am a point blank person. I sugar coat nothing and expect the same from others.
If you talked to the people we talk to and saw the destruction that we do you'd understand.

I attended my Uncle's Funeral yesterday... While I was there I was comparing my job to that of a Funeral Director, just with a different twist.

These days few people people can handle someone that isn't bending over backwards to tell them what they want to hear.

[landrovered]

A funeral yesterday, sorry to hear that. It might explain yesterday's rant. I'll chalk that one up to having a bad day. Happens to all of us.

I too have little time for bull****************. That is why I have said my piece here.

I will agree to "drive it like I stole it" and call you for work on my engine if you will drop the "tick tick boom."

Deal?

[Jake Raby]

Nope, that rant had nothing to do with the Funeral... Its been coming for a long time and I finally released some steam. I promise to do that from this point forward EVERY time someone makes a smart assed remark thats uncalled for instead of letting it build by trying too be too damn nice.

The tick, tick boom ad campaign is over. You'll like the new one.

[landrovered]

Don't waste any time trying to be nice. It is over rated. All this "can't we all get along" BS is for forum pansies. I'd rather just take the gloves off and get it done.

Looking forward to the new campaign.

Cheers

[CenterIsl]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

The tick, tick boom ad campaign is over. You'll like the new one.

Um, it's front-and-center on your home page...with a modified tagline - is that the "new one"?