IMS lawsuit - Do listed VINs ID cars with single row bearings?
 

Do we know if VIN numbers in the recent settlement of class action against Porsche on single row IMS bearings actually showed what cars have the bearings?

The settlement covered years 2001-2005. Does this mean MY 2000 vehicles had double row bearings when built?

Second, for 2001 only larger VIN numbers were listed (for 2002-2005 all VINs appear to be ). Does this mean that a lower VIN 2001 was built with a double row bearing?

(I realize that some cars will now have replacement engines!)

MY 2001 numbers I took from the settlement document:
IMS Class Action Suit 2001-2005 owners win. Update Mar 12 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

For 2001 Porsche Boxster
Base - (5th digit A and 13th digit 2)
WP0CA2 985 1S 62 0508 to 0619
WP0CA2 982 1U 62 5959 to 7644

S - (5th digit B and 13th digit 6)
WP0CB2 981 1S 66 0405 to 0492
WP0CB2 986 1U 66 4289 to 5473

So,
base cars built in Stuttgart (11 digit S) with last 4 digits 0508 or greater are in settlement.
base cars built in Finland (11 digit U) with last 4 digits 5959 or greater are in
S cars built in Stuttgart with last 4 digits 0405 or greater are in.
S cars built in Finland with last 4 digits 4289 or greater are in.

PS if trying to check whether your VIN is in list, the 9th digit is a "check digit" that should be ignored

will people with included vin be notified

Guys, the way it works is you car falls into the VIN sequence, and you had to have suffered a loss due the IMS failing. No loss, no recovery.

Question: my car is an '05 Boxster S, born in Stuttgart, with a VIN not within the aforementioned range. Does this mean that the engine is less likely to experience IMS failure, or only that IMS failure would not be covered if experienced?

My first reaction is this must be an April fools joke. A class action settlement?

But this thread was started in late May. Something isn't right. This can't be happening...

So confused right now.



/

I'm resolved to be out of pocket if/when my 01' S has an IMSB related problem. It is a bit confusing though.

My VIN looks like it would have been excluded in the proposed settlement....BUT, my Engine # seems to fall into the double-row category. Slightly less chance of a problem if it's double I guess.

It would just be fun to know which bearing I have....at the rate I'm putting on the miles it's going to be quite a wait for a clutch so I can see what's in there.

CC, if your engine has a double-row bearing it is excluded from the settlement as much less than 1% of dual-row bearings reported a failure to a Porsche dealership. The fact that you have a 2001 and it is not included seems to support your research into the engine numbers. Frankly, you should take this as very good news!

Brad

2002 s built in finland WPOCB29832U660430 is that a double row

southernstar...thanks, my VIN/Engine is in that IMSB grey area.

Production date: March/01
Engine: M96/21
Engine number: 67108159

I've always thought it must be a single row but if the engine number cut-off's I've seen are correct (dual row up to engine# 671 11237 for the M96.21)....it is possible that mine has a dual-row in there.

I realize that Porsche did some odd things during assembly and the only way I'll know is when the tranny/clutch come off. I guess I'd like to fall into the 1% (+/-) category for that additional peace of mind.

ccjazz, I think you are safe to conclude that your engine has the dual-row bearing unless, since the date of manufacture, the engine has had as IMS replacement, or a remanufactured engine installed. Your engine serial number is from the range in which dual-row bearings were still being installed and the fact that your car's serial number also does not appear on Porsche's list for coverage in the settlement, tends to confirm that it is a dual-row (the settlement only applies to single-row).

If you read the Pelican Parts - Porsche Parts & BMW Parts & Mercedes Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW & Mercedes technical article on the 'Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Replacement and Upgrade', at page 4 of 11, they refer to the engine numbers and then say:

"However, as mentioned previously, practical experience has determined that these numbers are not 100% correct. Porsche replaced and/or repaired a lot of engines over the years and as a result there are a lot of engines out there where parts are mixed and matched." He cites an example of the 3.4 engine he bought from a 1999 Porsche 996 (which of course should have had the dual-row bearing), but which had been previously worked on and had the single-row bearing IMS installed. It seems that when Porsche repaired/replaced engines after the introduction of the single-row bearing, that is what they installed even if the original engine was a dual-row.

We know your engine is not a Porsche remanufactured engine as the engine serial number does not have the letters AT which denote the same. However, if the engine was worked on at a dealership or elsewhere and had the original IMS replaced prior to your purchase, it could still have a single-row. Of course, the same could be said of even the earlier 2.5's (all of which originally had dual-row bearings). Indeed, as a number of those cars had engines replaced due to problems that did not exist in the 2.7's and 3'2's (e.g. block porosity), the odds of an early 2.5 having a single-row due to engine replacement may be even higher.

Whitedogs, as a 2002 it is probably a single row, but I would check the serial numbers from the settlement of the class-action suit.

Brad

I was very concerned in a thread I started a few days ago, but upon more careful examination, it looks as if I fall outside range by about 700 in one part of the sequence. Assuming that means by 700 cars. Whew!

Thanks again Brad, enjoy reading your posts. Purchased the car new with 33km on the odometer so I think the engine is the first....but who knows.

Hayden....great thread you started there. Lots of good advice and feedback there.

Congrats on your 01'S, love the color!

Thanks, glad it helped! Assuming both me and the Boxster survive over the years, I will be a daily part of what y'all have going on here. Thanks to everyone who helped get me straightened out.

At this point, there is a wealth of great stuff, such as this settlement document, and some preventative solutions, if not complete fixes, in development for the IMSB, and a strong community. I can tell 986forum is a good place, and I've slept around a lot over the years. :)

I will post lots of good pics soon. It is a looker with the 18s and grey.

mine is 0430 less than 4289 (or greater) so not included in list
so is my car double,,,,,2002 s in finland group
tks eddie

Look at the Flat 6 Innovations postings on this page from the link in the original post of this thread. I don't trust any numbers, be they VINs or engine numbers. Until my tranny comes out I won't know for sure what bearing I have.

IMS Class Action Suit 2001-2005 owners win. Update Mar 12 - Page 17 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Single row

Hmmm,
2004 S - I have already spent $1000's in parts and I have $1000's more in parts on the way because of an IMS bearing failure (documented at a Porsche dealership) preparing to start the rebuild in two weeks.
I'll have to call the PNA.

I'm digging up an old thread, and I'm sorry. I am new to the Porsche world and needed a bit of help to determine if I'm affected by the serial number range listed to have a single row IMS.

2001 Boxster S 6 speed
Serial Number - WP0CB29801U663994
Manufacture Date 3/01

I do not have the engine serial number.

Can one of you with much more knowledge and experience help determine the bearing type based off the serial provided?

The only way you're really going to know for sure is to drop the transmission and look at the IMS bearing flange.