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

[runjmc2]

The OP has not mentioned how many miles and if it's on the original clutch. If a clutch is pending, it's a no brainer, just do the clutch a bit early and the IMs while you're there. If you are not close to needing a clutch, that's a tougher decision.

[Jamesp]

8% of single row IMS bearings fail. They all lose their grease over time (and engine cycles IMHO). Getting it replaced *might* not be or even *probably is not* necessary. Maybe. I bought my Box cheap because of a IMSB failure. I bought a used replacement shaft and have first hand experience with the 03 S bearing. It was in what has been termed the "first" stage of failure. I believe all IMSB are in the "first" stage of failure after the first thermal cycle of the engine. My advice is to replace that sucker ASAP. The only catch is that simply replacing it puts the engine right back where it started. There are vast strings on this board regarding options for other design options. Enter at your own risk. Oh yeah, you might want to start a collection from the folks who sing "don't worry, be happy" to fund your complete engine replacement. There is an 8% chance (likely higher due to lack of reporting) that an M96 engine will pop due to the IMSB. Don't be a statistic, replace it with a new bearing at a minimum, and pick a redesign after that to minimize risk. I'm down my own path on this and I think I've identified and eliminate the root cause of early failure. like all mechanical components, the IMSB will eventually fail, but I believe I have a method to stave that off using the original greased sealed bearing.

[pjq]

Parker 986, WE have cars which Porsche claim are the most vulnerable to this IMS failure, based on who gets what under the IMS class action lawsuit.

I have a 2004 S, was the same bearing as you.

My car had 23000 miles when I bought it in Nov 2010, my car had 43,000 miles on it when the IMS failed with NO warning in Nov 2012. I had the oil changed regularly and the filter inspected. Matter of fact the oil and filter were changed only 5 driving hours before the bearing failed, about 4 days before the failure. My wife and I had been driving for about 4.5 hrs bound for North Carolina when we descided to stop for a break, the car was working great I kept the rev's 3200 +. Upon stopping at the stop sign the engine stopped?? When I restarted the engine it was the "Death Rattle". Scared the s--t out of me, my heart was in my stomach and my stomach was in my mouth. At the time I didn't know what that noice was but it just couldn't be good.
The resultant was a catastrophic engine failure due to a failed IMS bearing.

In 2010 before I bought the car, I did some research and read briefly about IMS. I had a PPI carried out and everything was good. When I got the car home I took it to the local indie shop for oil change and inspection and spoke to him about the IMS. He said just drive it and enjoy it the car was in great shape. Later that summer I took it to the closest Porsche dealership for oil change and inspection and they also told me the car was in great shape IMS was ok, drive it and enjoy it.

Point is my gut told me to change the bearing but others in the know told me otherwise.

I think at the time cost might have been about $2000 for IMS bearing change? Do you have any idea how much it cost to rebuild one of these engines, if it is rebuildable after an IMS bearing failure? Do you know how much a straight used engine cost (junk yard) if you can find one? Do you know how much a Porsche factory rebuilt engine cost? The answer is it starts at $6500 (junk yard) and goes up from there to over $20,000.

So Parker this has been a long rant but the point is, if you are asking the question on this forum you already know what your gut is telling you. Remember its your gut, your car, your research, your descision and the worst part your hard earned money, spend it wisely.

[Jamesp]

You could do this, Bob Marley-Don't worry be happy - YouTube Just watch out for the ganja, or you could be proactive and treat this as a maintnence item. Just like changing the timing belts as has been mentioned before. Ignoring timing belts (on interference engines) has an identical outcome to ignoring the IMS bearing.

[Last930]

Well, lot's of different opinions. My '04 S is in the shop today for a new clutch, etc , and I decided to replace the IMSB while it's apart. If I decide to keep the car for the long-term I'll have the piece of mind that I've addressed at least THAT issue; if I decide to sell I think any potential buyers will know that they won't need to do it, and thus I won't have to discount the price for it. I hope that a buyer looking at a couple Boxsters may be swayed to buy the car with the best maint history, condition and all other things equal.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Last930

Well, lot's of different opinions. My '04 S is in the shop today for a new clutch, etc , and I decided to replace the IMSB while it's apart. If I decide to keep the car for the long-term I'll have the piece of mind that I've addressed at least THAT issue; if I decide to sell I think any potential buyers will know that they won't need to do it, and thus I won't have to discount the price for it. I hope that a buyer looking at a couple Boxsters may be swayed to buy the car with the best maint history, condition and all other things equal.

Good on you. A car offered for sale with a specific mention of pro-actively replacing the IMSB is a buy signal of enthusiast-ownership. It's impossible to calculate but I'd be of the opinion that you fall into a very small % of total Porsches owned. Which is not necessarily to say that every enthusiast has done the swap. One of our forum members has over 300K miles logged and was still on the original bearing. But that was someone who kept up with very strict maintenance practices and didn't leave the car around to sit/rot, obviously with that sort of mileage.

[Jamesp]

You did the right thing. You should ask your mechanic to pull the old bearing side seal and see what is inside - grease? oil? or some combination?

[Parker986]

Thanks so much for all the responses. My car is 10 years old and only has 39,000 miles on it, which tells me that my '03 S is an even better candidate for failure since it hasn't been driven all that much. It has original clutch. I do notice it going into 2nd gear a little hard, so maybe it is beginning to fail.

Buying a new engine would be a pretty difficult hit to my pocket, so I have decided to keep my appointment. I know I will be nervous driving it 3 hours to the mechanic, hoping there is no engine failure.

Do I want to spend money if I don't need to, no, but at least I will be able to sleep better.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Parker986

...so I have decided to keep my appointment. I know I will be nervous driving it 3 hours to the mechanic, hoping there is no engine failure.

That would easily take the cake for worst luck ever. I would be tempted to flatbed it there

[Van914]

Parker,
Still waiting for the pictures of new wheels.
Enjoy
Van

[Last930]

I stopped in and took a look at my car while it was apart - the IMSB was in perfect shape on the outside - seals intact, turns smoothly and no external corrosion. Replaced it anyways... Found out the RMS was the source of the oil leak, so that is fixed. Should be back together in a day or two.

[Jamesp]

I took out a bearing that was tight, it felt and looked perfect, the seal looked good. I seriously thought about leaving it in it felt so good. And that was with the IMS shaft out of the engine in my hand, so I had a pretty good look at it. I took the bearing out and pulled the seal. The only lube in it was stale motor oil. How long would that "good" bearing last? That's anyone's guess. The only clear fact is that the lubrication was compromised. I wish I'd have said it first, but I'll repeat it, the IMS bearing is in the same league as timing belts. They have to be replaced, or the valves meet the pistons.

[runjmc2]

Sounds like you have your answer, at 39K and likely needing a clutch soon, this should be an easy decision. Replace the IMS with the clutch, the sooner the better…end of story…next case please