'03 S - Two Mechanics say Yes & One says No - IMS

[Perfectlap]

^ I'll buy another Porsche with an IMS bearing all day long (as long as the bearing is easily serviceable 97-04 986's).

It's a bearing for crying out loud, just replace it at a regular interval. You don't even need to buy an expensive bearing. At the end of the day we're talking about one day at the shop, not a month.


To the OP, have you looked into get the IMS Guardian warning light for your dash if you are heissitant to plunk down the expense?

[coreseller]

Parker986, I am local to you and sent you a PM, give me a hollar.

To others who are wholesale discounting the M96 motor series, you really are throwing the baby out with the bathwater. To do such, especially now with the bargains available, would be entirely missing the boat on catching a helluva deal on a GT (996), Incredible Sports Car (986) not to mention a Bona fide Super Car (Metzger Motor) 996 Twin Turbo.

If you are considering these you simply have to look at IMS, Water Pump and AOS items as Service Interval replacement parts. The IMS Bearing should be dealt with sooner rather than later, when that along with the water pump and AOS are up to date you seriously will be sitting on a bargain when it comes to Cache and Performance.

P.S. Listen to Jake Raby along with JFP in PA, their advice is invaluable.

[thom4782]

+1 on listening to Jake and JFP.

Make sure you get a through PPI to rule out any other problems. While it isn't possible to inspect the IMSB directly without removing it, there are some possible warnings signs - magnetic metal pieces in the oil filter, leaking oil in the area of the transmission / engine juncture, wobbly cam deviation angles. A through inspection out to look at these items.

If the inspection gives the car a clean bill of health, then taking proactive preventative action depends on your risk tolerance. If you're going to worry all the time, then change the bearing and be done with it. If the car is low mileage and the oil hasn't been changed frequently (once per year or every 5000 miles). then replace the bearing because the seals may be degraded. If the car has been a daily driver with frequent oil changes, the change the bearing when you replace the clutch.

Nothing is completely risk free. It all a matter of what you're willing to live with.

[southernstar]

Coreseller, the Metzger engine is completely different and has no IMS bearings to worry about.

Brad

[Kirk]

There can be warning signs... or your engine can just pop.

I don't give people a "doom and gloom" story on the IMS bearing, but if you have an appointment scheduled in 2 weeks, then just get it done. If the optimistic mechanic is wrong and your engine pops without warning is he going to buy you a new one?

Kirk

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by Kirk

There can be warning signs... or your engine can just pop.

I don't give people a "doom and gloom" story on the IMS bearing, but if you have an appointment scheduled in 2 weeks, then just get it done. If the optimistic mechanic is wrong and your engine pops without warning is he going to buy you a new one?

Kirk

Kirk makes a lot of sense. I would add that if you are concerned it will give you peace of mind to have it done.

Secondly I would say if you are well heeled financially and can afford to take a hit financially then don't bother. If you cannot afford the grenading get it done.....

[Last930]

I have the same quandry - 95K miles, due for new clutch soon. Mechanic pulled sump pan out and inspected for debris along with oil filter - they were both spotless. Suggests keeping IMSB as is, in the theory that if it has worked this long it should continue to work. Feels that regular oil changes along with inspection filter will detect pending failure in time to avoid disaster.

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by southernstar

Coreseller, the Metzger engine is completely different and has no IMS bearings to worry about.

Brad

Correct, which is why I listed the Metzger name since many think that the 996TT motor is simply a forced induction variant of the M96 motors used in 986 and 996's. The engine used in the 996 Turbo is a derivative of the Metzger engine found in the Le Mans winning GT1 race car, it also has none of the supposed weaknesses associated with the standard 996 Carrera engine.......

[Topless]

Originally Posted by coreseller

Correct, which is why I listed the Metzger name since many think that the 996TT motor is simply a forced induction variant of the M96 motors used in 986 and 996's. The engine used in the 996 Turbo is a derivative of the Metzger engine found in the Le Mans winning GT1 race car, it also has none of the supposed weaknesses associated with the standard 996 Carrera engine.......

The 996TT and GT3 Metzger does have other more expensive car-killing weaknesses that must be addressed for reliability and peace of mind. All cars have warts and a 996TT is no different.

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by Topless

The 996TT and GT3 Metzger does have other more expensive car-killing weaknesses that must be addressed for reliability and peace of mind. All cars have warts and a 996TT is no different.

Good Lord......If everyone took to heart what you guy a spouse regarding these cars we'd all be riding rickshaws. On behalf of Ferry Porsche et all I apologize, yes we have intentionally gone out of our way to sabotage our cars for 2nd and 3rd owners who expect nothing short of infinitesimal longevity. I give, don't buy anything, drive it till it dies and when it does please be surprised.................



Jake Raby, I have NO IDEA how you put up with it....................... Drama Over lol.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Topless

The 996TT and GT3 Metzger does have other more expensive car-killing weaknesses that must be addressed for reliability and peace of mind. All cars have warts and a 996TT is no different.

the biggest for me is that once that rear end steps out/slides, it cuts power to the rear producing yet even more understeer on top of what you've already have to contend with. Solution: 996 GT2 Or get the commando version

In a perfect world you'd have a NA GT3 engine, in RWD, mid enigne platform...with the cooling pipes all nice and sorted.
This is the car Porsche should have been building long ago instead of making 29 variants of the street-engined Carrera.

[Bigsmoothlee]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

^ I'll buy another Porsche with an IMS bearing all day long (as long as the bearing is easily serviceable 97-04 986's).

It's a bearing for crying out loud, just replace it at a regular interval. You don't even need to buy an expensive bearing. At the end of the day we're talking about one day at the shop, not a month.


To the OP, have you looked into get the IMS Guardian warning light for your dash if you are heissitant to plunk down the expense?

I agree 100%. You can buy the original one from Porsche for $112, I dont see what the big fuss is to change it every time you replace the clutch...

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Bigsmoothlee

I agree 100%. You can buy the original one from Porsche for $112, I dont see what the big fuss is to change it every time you replace the clutch...

I think a lot of it comes from aftermarket companies that have bills to pay and families to feed too.
Granted, certain years have had issues, but not ALL generations.
Ive said I was in the market for 97-99 and all I got was "you better upgrade the IMS asap...."
Those years didn't have an issue, but "I better change it out pronto and spend 3k" or whatever.
If the car has miles on it and the IMS is fine, why even change it at all?
Of all the cars Ive owned, of all the car boards ive been on, Ive never seen people so eager to replace parts that aren't broken.

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by evomind

I think a lot of it comes from aftermarket companies that have bills to pay and families to feed too.
Granted, certain years have had issues, but not ALL generations.
Ive said I was in the market for 97-99 and all I got was "you better upgrade the IMS asap...."
Those years didn't have an issue, but "I better change it out pronto and spend 3k" or whatever.
If the car has miles on it and the IMS is fine, why even change it at all?
Of all the cars Ive owned, of all the car boards ive been on, Ive never seen people so eager to replace parts that aren't broken.

You sound very well versed on the topic.

I suggest you do a little more research on what actually occurs when the non-broken parts do actually break.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by coreseller

You sound very well versed on the topic.

I suggest you do a little more research on what actually occurs when the non-broken parts do actually break.

The motor pops.
If, if, if.....If the queen had balls she would be the king.
The 97-99 cars, and any other car have just as much chance breaking a rod as grenading an IMS.
Are you gonna tear down your engine tomorrow?
Have you researched what happens if you break a rod? Or wrist pin? Or piston?
The list goes on.
Watch out for lightening too.

Look, im not saying there isn't cause for concern for CERTAIN years, so be it, take cautionary action. But to have that same urgency on every Boxster ever built is just paranoia.
I stand behind what Ive said.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by evomind

Of all the cars Ive owned, of all the car boards ive been on, Ive never seen people so eager to replace parts that aren't broken.

These engine have peculiarities, specific needs and some uniqe rewards. Otherwise everyone would be driving something cheap to run.


Also, this is a sealed bearing in an engine. No old school bearing lasts forever.
If you want to make it last forever, well there's some collateral damage you have to work into that risk equation.