IMS facebook webpage against Porsche failure

[Perfectlap]

^ can you really call it a fix though? That might be misleading. I think it may be better viewed as reducing an already low probability to an even lower likelyhood but you are still in the woods.

at any rate even if is 2% that's some pretty ****************ty engineering. or I should say ****************ty engineering for consecutive years. I guess some don't like to admit error.

[dmatz]

I have an 04 Boxster that had confirmed IMS failure last week at 58K miles. Dealer employees, including service managers, have admitted to me that they have a significant number of IMS failures in this engine, and didn’t deny that it should have been a recall. I didn’t know of this defect until it (probably) happened to me, and feel angry that Porsche sold me a car without revealing a fatal design flaw (sealed bearing with seal that fails in normal use, then relying on inadequate lubrication from crankcase oil splash).
When I called Porsche (1-800 Porsche), I was told there was no recall for the IMS defect because “the government orders recalls and they didn’t order a recall” for the IMS issue. Recalls are triggered by complaints to the NHTSA – not very many complaints, no recall. NHTSA complaints and investigations can be researched at their website: http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners . Between MY 2000 and 2005 there were only 6 IMS failures reported withe std or S Boxsters. Brief internet searches reveal that the actual failure rate is certainly much higher than these numbers would suggest. Complaints can easily be filed at the NHTSA website. If everyone with IMS failures went to the NHTSA website and filed a complaint, perhaps an investigation and thus a recall might be triggered. I’m not sure if a recall could be ordered for cars this old, but at least the relevant government agency should adequately notified. If the government took action, Porsche would be forced to respond.

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by dmatz

Between MY 2000 and 2005 there were only 6 IMS failures reported withe std or S Boxsters.

Probably because they weren't starting to fail yet, or folks just don't know to report it. Do those 6 cover the all reports up to today? Sorry it happened to you, is your car motor shot?

[dmatz]

My count from the NHTSA database was as of last week. I think people simply don't know about the complaint mechanism. I didn't untill I hit the internet. Yes, my motor is shot. I'm choosing to actually spend the money to resurrect my car by putting a crate engine in - about $18K. My advice: never name your car.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by dmatz

My count from the NHTSA database was as of last week. I think people simply don't know about the complaint mechanism. I didn't untill I hit the internet. Yes, my motor is shot. I'm choosing to actually spend the money to resurrect my car by putting a crate engine in - about $18K. My advice: never name your car.

How often did you change your oil? What brand of oil and wieght? How far did you drive on average after startup?

Thanks
Jager

[dmatz]

Originally Posted by Jager

How often did you change your oil? What brand of oil and wieght? How far did you drive on average after startup?

Thanks
Jager

I now know (after the fact of the failure, and after learning of the defect only from the internet), that I was the poster child for IMS failure risk. I only changed oil at the Porsche-recommended intervals (15k miles; 0W40 Mobil1; dealer servicing), drove the car mildly (40 mi 2-way commute druing the week at moderate freeway speeds), and let the car sit for extended periods during winter, using another car. I think there may have been warning signs (something I now think may have been bearing grinding noise), but I didn't know I needed to be vigilant for these signs, so I didn't pay attention. Believe me, if I had known, I would have behaved differently. The mechanic at the dealer was probably checking for metal in the filter, but no one told me I should be listening for bearing noises.

[landrovered]

The one positive of the IMS issue is I feel that I am doing a dis-service to my car if I do not drive it the way it was designed to be driven and it is a lot more fun to rev without guilt and to hoon without fear for lack of mechanical sympathy.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by dmatz

I now know (after the fact of the failure, and after learning of the defect only from the internet), that I was the poster child for IMS failure risk. I only changed oil at the Porsche-recommended intervals (15k miles; 0W40 Mobil1; dealer servicing), drove the car mildly (40 mi 2-way commute druing the week at moderate freeway speeds), and let the car sit for extended periods during winter, using another car. I think there may have been warning signs (something I now think may have been bearing grinding noise), but I didn't know I needed to be vigilant for these signs, so I didn't pay attention. Believe me, if I had known, I would have behaved differently. The mechanic at the dealer was probably checking for metal in the filter, but no one told me I should be listening for bearing noises.

Yep, I believe these cars need to be driven at least 10 minutes after startup to get all the water moister out of the oil and change the oil at least every 4000 miles. I drive mine every day, so I could not guess how often one should start these vehicles if they are sitting the garage?? I have 2001 Boxster with 210,000 miles on it. I am currently in the middle of replacing my IMS bearing. I started the project today, I should finish sometime tomorrow. I am going to start another thread and post some pictures.

Jager