Fixing the IMS Bearing - or not?

[algiorda]

I'm in the same position as you. I do have a 2004 Special Edition with 54k miles. I am the 3rd owner. The 1st owner hardly put any miles on the vehicle and took amazing care of the vehicle for 24k miles. I have no records on the 2nd owner and the 26k or so miles he/she put on it.

I have decided not to gamble and to get the IMS done. I hate driving a ticking time bomb. There is no guarantee with a new IMS it won't fail, but I think I reduce my chances by a lot.
My Indy estimates a 30% failure rate for my year Boxsters.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by algiorda

I'm in the same position as you. I do have a 2004 Special Edition with 54k miles. I am the 3rd owner. The 1st owner hardly put any miles on the vehicle and took amazing care of the vehicle for 24k miles. I have no records on the 2nd owner and the 26k or so miles he/she put on it.

I have decided not to gamble and to get the IMS done. I hate driving a ticking time bomb. There is no guarantee with a new IMS it won't fail, but I think I reduce my chances by a lot.
My Indy estimates a 30% failure rate for my year Boxsters.

Where in the Wild World of Sports did your Indy come up with that statistic???

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by algiorda

My Indy estimates a 30% failure rate for my year Boxsters.

Haha

Time for a new mechanic.

[Jamesp]

The IMS is a maintenance item like a timing belt. All the IMS bearings are good right up to the point they fail. Your mechanic appears to be misinformed, or trying to push you to perform the work with the 30% number. 8% for single row bearings is the highest accepted failure rate for IMSBs.

[itsnotanova]

Originally Posted by JayG

Where in the Wild World of Sports did your Indy come up with that statistic???

Originally Posted by particlewave

Haha

Time for a new mechanic.

I'd almost have to agree with his indy. The 2003-05.5 engines are dropping like flys lately. I've been getting calls from people looking for a motor at least once a week. That's a lot! I don't get to see why the 3 chain motor is failing so much lately but I'm starting think the 3 chain has more flaws than the 5 chain. I also have to agree with his decision to drop the motor and trans as one. "IF" he's also going to be replacing the AOS and vacuum hoses too. It doesn't take much more of an effort to drop the engine/trans as it does for a trans by itself.

[Gelbster]

This is an interesting and independent anecdotal data point from a very reputable source. Up till now these 'big bearing' cars had a better reputation for IMSB longevity than either the double row or single row OEM cars. Maybe time and miles are beginning to tell .The interesting question is-what is causing the failure in the big bearing engines - load or lubrication or...?Supposedly the load issue is solved with the larger bearing but the ball bearing speed is much higher ......What an opening for Vertex !

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

I'd almost have to agree with his indy. The 2003-05.5 engines are dropping like flys lately. I've been getting calls from people looking for a motor at least once a week. That's a lot! I don't get to see why the 3 chain motor is failing so much lately but I'm starting think the 3 chain has more flaws than the 5 chain. I also have to agree with his decision to drop the motor and trans as one. "IF" he's also going to be replacing the AOS and vacuum hoses too. It doesn't take much more of an effort to drop the engine/trans as it does for a trans by itself.