Replacement engine
 

Has anyone had any experience with a replacement engine ? I looking at a car that had an IMS failure and the engine was replaced from the factory. Specifically does anyone know if they used a better bearing or is this a ticking time bomb as well ?
It's a 2003 S model.

Motor was factory remanufactured,3.2L 04 installed by dealer, bill of 17,946 in 2011.

If installed in 2011, it carries the oversized OEM IMS bearing that cannot be changed without totally rebuilding the engine. These can still fail.

As usual what JFP said -- however the incident of failure has been less in these
versions of the engine.

I have heard that they changed the bearing style and tracking them (high RPMs and loads) seems to be a weaker point of this design. (Just internet 3rd hand sources).

ymmv,

Mike

So, assuming this to be the case what would my course of action be ?
Do I just monitor oil filter ?
Do I install the IMS guardian ?
I'm not sure I have enough extra cash to just proactively replace this, especially if is the model that requires the engine to be dissembled.

I bought a 2003 S that had the engine replaced in 2006 at 36,000 mi. with the newer, non-replaceable (without opening the engine) bearing. It now has 95,000 mi. and is running great (knock wood). I have given up worrying and I just drive the heck out of it :p!

Oil changes every 5000 miles or once per year.
Magnetic oil drain plug
Check your oil filter
Send for an oil analysis from Blackstone Labs ($25)
Drive it like it is meant to be driven, don't baby it. Regular revs to the upper ranges and above 3000 for most of your driving will help. All mechanical things can fail. My sister's Honda Odyssey engine failed, it happens. Regular exercise and maintenance will go a long way in keeping the engine healthy. There are many engines on this forum well above 100k miles, drive and enjoy it:cheers:

First post from a new owner of a 2000 S with very low miles.

Is the Guardian the same as the magnetic drain plug or are they different things?

The IMS Guardian warns of impending failure, here is a link:
IMS Guardian, MY97-04, Gloss Finish (no support plan), inc. optional output. - IMS - Products LN Engineering

The magnetic drain plug collects metal shavings and is checked at an oil change. Obviously much cheaper.