Driving at low rpms/question for Jake and others

[Fluellen]

IMS bearing problem or not, lugging the engine of any car is not a good thing.

Your Boxster is not happy when you run it below 2000. Just don't do it.

Unless I am cruising on the hwy at perhaps 2600rpm, I generally do not let the rpm go below 3000.

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by Fluellen

IMS bearing problem or not, lugging the engine of any car is not a good thing.

Your Boxster is not happy when you run it below 2000. Just don't do it.

Unless I am cruising on the hwy at perhaps 2600rpm, I generally do not let the rpm go below 3000.

seconded. and, if you're going to be in "D" mode in a Tip, either do it once you're up to speed or be prepared to keep the accelerator mashed to the floor the whole time - (that's more fun anyway).

i've found that the "learning" function of the Tip is quite temporary. once you've backed off the accelerator for a few seconds it goes back to grandma mode.

[Overdrive]

I don't know how much of it is psychological, but honestly, everything seems to feel a lot better once the car has warmed and you can run past 4k without worry. Shifting seems smoother than when you short shift below 3k, and overall the car just seems to drive better when you're routinely above 3k. I started out driving very easily and at low rpms, but very shortly after getting the car I read up on the issues on here and started driving it a-la the '3k and above' rulebook. It doesn't compute in the brain, especially when you're more used to putting around at the lowest gear and RPM possible in a Corolla that's always trying to be fuel efficient like I am. And passengers will always question it because it doesn't work in their brain either...and in some cases it's not really worth the trouble explaining the whole IMS thing, lol. But like I said, to me things just seem to work better at higher RPMs. Maybe that' why 4k is right at the top of the tach.

[Jake Raby]

This one has the possibilities of turning into a snowball from hell so I don't think I'll be too vocal here.. What I would say most people would cringe at or think that I am promoting abuse.

I specialize in the failures related to the M96 engine, so because of that I am overexposed to failures on a daily basis. People seek out our services as an absolute solution to the problem. We answered 3 failure calls today, most shops don't hear about that many in a year, thats just an example.. Another 4 cars are inbound from Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and California.

Just drive the car the way a Porsche was designed to be driven. Thats not the same as a Honda or Toyota.

[Jake D]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

This one has the possibilities of turning into a snowball from hell so I don't think I'll be too vocal here.. What I would say most people would cringe at or think that I am promoting abuse.

I specialize in the failures related to the M96 engine, so because of that I am overexposed to failures on a daily basis. We answered 3 failure calls today, most shops don't hear about that many in a year.

Just drive the car the way a Porsche was designed to be driven. Thats not the same as a Honda or Toyota.

Thanks Jake. I was hoping to get some insight from someone who knows these things inside and out and until I read your post, I had no idea that I was possibly putting more stress on the car/bearing. I usually drive the thing pretty hard but it seems like I'm constantly speeding the whole time and I really don't need any more points on my license.

I probably should have contacted you privately, but I thought maybe there might be someone as ignorant as myself out there that didn't know they could be adding stress on the bearing by not running it harder and you could add a little expertise on the subject.

Well I'm off to run the **************** out of it.
Thanks, Jake

[Jake Raby]

I'm just being really paranoid with financing this car and no source of income at the moment and savings quickly dwindling that if something would go wrong I'd be totally screwed.

I understand..
Unfortunately unless you spend some cash there is no way to really limit the failure possibilities..

I wish this was "Mamby Pamby Land" where the streets were paved in gold and Unicorns and Rainbows were abundant, but it certainly isn't.

Luckily preventives have been developed and the understanding of why failures occur exists.. Just a few years ago no one knew and all you could do was hope it wasn't going to happen to you. Some people still don't believe it can/will happen to them.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

I wish this was "Mamby Pamby Land" where the streets were paved in gold and Unicorns and Rainbows were abundant, but it certainly isn't.

Whoa, Jake!? You been keepin' a secret from us?? C'mon, fess up now Jake: You're actually that Drill Sergeant guy on those Geico commercials on TV aren't you?

[demick]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

I understand..
I wish this was "Mamby Pamby Land" where the streets were paved in gold and Unicorns and Rainbows were abundant, but it certainly isn't.

It isn't?

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Just drive the car the way a Porsche was designed to be driven. Thats not the same as a Honda or Toyota.

Hey now, watch it!

I've got a k20z3 with 95k miles on it beaten within an inch of its life on a daily basis that's never had a spark plug replaced or anything other than oil changes and air filters. Spins at 8000 rpms like it was born there.

And I've got an m96 that has a significant bearing that likes to let loose with no warning.

I don't know man....hehehe.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Hey now, watch it!

I've got a k20z3 with 95k miles on it beaten within an inch of its life on a daily basis that's never had a spark plug replaced or anything other than oil changes and air filters. Spins at 8000 rpms like it was born there.

And I've got an m96 that has a significant bearing that likes to let loose with no warning.

I don't know man....hehehe.

I have to agree, Honda engines are more robust than any others I've owned and they LOVE being exercised. The 1.7L V-tec in my Integra was constantly driven from 6000-8000RPM, that's the only way it would make any power. 200,000 miles with alot of time spent at redline and the thing still ran great and barely used any oil. All the other engine driven components needed replacing like the alternator, ps pump, water pump, ect, but that engine just loved to rev.

Sometimes I really miss that car.





It was the precurser to the 2.0 in the S2000 so I have to imagine those cars have an equally robust nature.

[Jake D]

Thanks, it gives me some piece of mind. It's just like almost every other day you see someone talking about problems with these cars and I understand things can happen and things can be done to help prevent issues as well. I still think once I have the $ im going to change the damn bearing anyways.

I guess I need to start driving this thing a little harder. Its just with my exhaust it sounds like its revving high when I'm only pulling 3000rpms and I usually throw it into the next gear to quiet the engine down some.
With some of my car background I am constantly listening to the engine and monitoring the thing and no issues so far. I sometimes get a short rattle on start up but no other noises.

I'm just being really paranoid with financing this car and no source of income at the moment and savings quickly dwindling that if something would go wrong I'd be totally screwed. In general, I probably got in a little over my head when I purchased the thing. I've loved it ever since though!