IMS Upgrade - Should I have it done

[Ray]

Wondering about the "new" engine:

My car was built in Finland at the tail end of 98'. I had the infamous catastrophic engine failure at about 8k miles. This would have been in the 2002 time frame. Is there any way I can determine what engine I had mine replaced with? And, most importantly, is my IMS 'more' at risk, still?

[clickman]

Originally Posted by Ray

Wondering about the "new" engine:

My car was built in Finland at the tail end of 98'. I had the infamous catastrophic engine failure at about 8k miles. This would have been in the 2002 time frame. Is there any way I can determine what engine I had mine replaced with? And, most importantly, is my IMS 'more' at risk, still?

Apparently all engines up to the new generation (MY2010?), where there is no IMS, are subject to the same problem.

[Pinarelloman]

OK, I have my car back.
2001 Boxster S 66,000km. Had a dual row bearing.
Dual mass flywheel was U/S, had 20mm movement. Clutch face about 50% worn, thrust bearing OK. All now replaced. IMS replaced with LN unit.
A few observations, clutch action alot lighter, timing chain rattle on startup now gone.
Total price $4699 AUD.
While alot of $$ it gives me peace of mind that there is one less thing to go wrong.

[Jim Miller]

Picked up my car after new IMS, RMS and clutch. Enjoyed driving it home and parked it in the driveway. Moved it to the garage and noticed I was leaking oil. Bummed. Goes back to the shop tomorrow morning. I just want to get out and drive this thing.

Still glad I replaced the IMS but the car didn't leak oil before I had the work done.

[Jim Miller]

Car fixed, oil plug seal missing or blow out. Guy who did the work was very apologetic, open his shop on Saturday to look at it and fix it. Overall I was very satisfied this guy Ralph at Ralph's auto service, I recommend highly.

Been driving it all morning, love it, glad I traded my 330i zhp for the Boxster.

[mikefocke]

My understanding is that, no, you can't tell what revision of the bearing assembly your car has if it is a replacement engine until you pull the transmission and clutch off. '02 replacement engines may be redone '97-'01 engines or redone '02 engines and '02 was around the time they switched from dual to single row bearings.

There are no comparative statistics on which of the 3 assembly designs are more prone to failure except in Porsche's records and they aren't telling.

So yes, you have to possibility of a failure of the IMS.

Now the good news is they don't all fail and the failures are spread out over many possible years of ownership.

[jmatta]

Now the good news is they don't all fail and the failures are spread out over many possible years of ownership.

All is great until it's YOUR car that fails.