How many have NOT changed IMS bearing on their 1997-2000 Boxster?

[Chuck W.]

2001 S with 22,000 miles. Original bearing. Wonder if I have a single or double row.

Edit; I have a single row based on my VIN.

[V-Rod]

My '99 base is in the shop now getting a new clutch kit, RMS & LNE IMS installed this week. Even though mine has the dual row bearing, I felt it was a piece of mind expense to do it while getting a fresh clutch.

[BDBoxster]

Does anyone know the chronology of single row then double row bearings? I thought single row started in the earliest cars ('97, '98, '99, '00) then double row in 2001 - 2004? AND what kind of bearing (single or double ) did they put in from 2006 -2008 that is called the "largest" bearing and cannot be swapped out without a total engine tear down?????

[southernstar]

According to Porsche factory Technical Bulletins (reprinted on Pelican Parts techarticles under "Boxster Intermediate Shat Bearing Replacement and Upgrade"):

All 2.5's have double-row bearings.
All 2.7's had double row bearings until engine # M 651 12851
All 3.2's had double row bearings until engine # M 671 11237

Thereafter, some engines may still have had the double row bearings due to parts supplies. In addition, if the engines in the above cars were replaced by Porsche (or had the IMS, or timing chain replaced and 'updated' by Porsche) after the single row bearing was introduced, the earlier engine may have the 'updated' single row bearing.

The original single-row bearing apparently continued in use on all 2005 Boxsters and some 2006's when the larger bearing was introduced. Sorry, no engine numbers. In addition, the proposed class-action suit has more accurate numbers from Porsche for which the settlement is intended to apply (it does not apply to double-row bearings).

Brad

[McDuff]

I just spent some time on the phone with a Bosch mechanic. He has been in the Porsche business for a long time, and he told me that he has read about the bearing issue, but has never had to replace one. Good news for a change, and seems to support the 1% comment that few have had an issue.

For what it's worth.

[southernstar]

Sorry BdBoxster, I negelected to answer the last part of your question. The larger IMS bearing from 2006 through 2008 was also a single-row bearing.

[kjc2050]

Originally Posted by southernstar

According to Porsche factory Technical Bulletins (reprinted on Pelican Parts techarticles under "Boxster Intermediate Shat Bearing Replacement and Upgrade"):

All 2.5's have double-row bearings.
All 2.7's had double row bearings until engine # M 651 12851
All 3.2's had double row bearings until engine # M 671 11237

Brad

Brad,

Thanks. This is helpful. For the uninitiated, understanding your VIN and engine codes can be a bit confusing. Here are a couple of references which should help:

Wikipedia: Porsche VIN Codes

Porsche Club: Understanding Engine Numbers

The 2nd link is to a pdf.

My engine # is M9672167Y01963

To understand this in terms of the info Brad posted, the final 8 characters are the ones which matter - 67Y01963. "67" is the engine type and version; "Y" is the model year: Y = 2000; a 2001 would have a "1" in this position; the final 5 characters are the engine serial number.

Comparing this to Brad's info, my engine preceded the range above for 3.2 engines with the single row bearing. Woohoo!

-kjc

[BDBoxster]

Thanks for the info, Southernstar. I guess I'm asking myself why they would use a single row bearing in the last and "larger" bearing? And, there seem's to be a very, very low failure rate???

[jotoole]

2000 2.7 base. build date 04/2000.
96,500 mi
single row imsb per vin list provided on another thread.

[kjc2050]

Where can I find my engine #?

aarrgghhhh... see below. Engine # is on the side of the engine near the sump plate.