03-22-2018, 07:52 PM
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#1
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Who's askin'?
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,446
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How can I tell if IMS has been replaced?
Hey all. Thanks for your help: a search didn't yield much to this specific question.
My new-to-me 2003 boxster S has over 140k miles on it. While it has some items I'm going to get to immediately (after 3 other projects are done, haha), I don't know if IMS needs to be on that list.
Is there a tattle - tale for a car that's had this done already? Any way to easily inspect and determine?
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03-22-2018, 09:00 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 989
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Only way is if there happens to be the IMS Solution installed. There is a register for that setup, other than that, the trans has to be pulled. If it has been changed, you might be able to ID by the flange cover, but really, the only way to tell is to take the whole thing apart. Clutch, RMS and what not are the things to do while there. At that mileage, tough call what to do. If not a tip (auto) and the clutch is good, it is unlikely the clutch is original, and most people at least inspect the IMS for issues, and usually replace at the time.
Another thing that is possibly tell tale, and well documented, is to inspect your oil filter for metal, and get a run down on cam deviation with a purchased durametric, or take it to a dealer/shop to do a full engine diagnostics.
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03-23-2018, 12:44 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 178
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No way to know
My understanding having just replaced mine, there is no way really to know whether your IMS is original, good or bad shape, single or double row, without pulling it . And checking for shavings in the oil filter will only tell you if it’s too late. If you have reason to believe it has been replaced with an LN Engineering IMS bearing, you can check with them. If the bearing was registered properly they can tell you. They also provide adhesive number plates with their bearing that owners apply next to the VIN plate and in door sills.
At 140k, I’d just enjoy the car until you need a clutch. Then replace the bearing.
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03-23-2018, 03:59 AM
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#4
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Who's askin'?
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,446
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thanks to both of you for your responses. I've purchased a durametric with the intent of checking cam deviation. I just need to get some honey -do's out of my garage first! Haha.
Great thought about the clutch being non - original. The car seems to have been well maintained, so it's possible the ims was done at a clutch change. since that makes me feel better, I'ma go with that. Haha.
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03-23-2018, 06:18 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,273
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maytag
thanks to both of you for your responses. I've purchased a durametric with the intent of checking cam deviation. I just need to get some honey -do's out of my garage first! Haha.
Great thought about the clutch being non - original. The car seems to have been well maintained, so it's possible the ims was done at a clutch change. since that makes me feel better, I'ma go with that. Haha.
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As it is impossible to tell without taking the car apart, if you have no paperwork showing it was done, and your VIN is not on LN's website data base, assume it has not been done. We get cars in all the time with the same question, and the only sustainable answer is, "No provenance, no retrofit....".
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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03-23-2018, 07:16 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 989
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Yeah, I kind of wrote more about steps to a possible diagnosis of a potential problem, not so much a confirmation, or not, of a new bearing install. Sorry if that was confusing. It was late!
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03-23-2018, 09:10 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,537
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For the record
The LN database is accessed here.
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03-23-2018, 11:10 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Location Location
Posts: 70
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First check if it has a replacement engine or not.
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03-23-2018, 04:02 PM
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#9
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Bryan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 49
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I'm interested to hear if anyone else has heard of this but when I bought my '99, I immediately took it to a certified Porsche mechanic to have the IMS done. The first thing the mechanic did (before it wss even in the engine bay) was check along the inside of drivers side door for a sticker which Porsche mechanics apparently apply that indicates the if/when the IMS had previously been replaced and date the work was done. He told me this because he said they are supposed to be replaced every 6 years and it's a time thing not mileage. I dunno, maybe start be checking for this sticker/stamp, you might luck out.
__________________
Bryan
1999 Arctic Sliver Boxster
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03-23-2018, 05:40 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,273
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dxterity
I'm interested to hear if anyone else has heard of this but when I bought my '99, I immediately took it to a certified Porsche mechanic to have the IMS done. The first thing the mechanic did (before it wss even in the engine bay) was check along the inside of drivers side door for a sticker which Porsche mechanics apparently apply that indicates the if/when the IMS had previously been replaced and date the work was done. He told me this because he said they are supposed to be replaced every 6 years and it's a time thing not mileage. I dunno, maybe start be checking for this sticker/stamp, you might luck out.
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__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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03-23-2018, 05:41 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,273
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dxterity
I'm interested to hear if anyone else has heard of this but when I bought my '99, I immediately took it to a certified Porsche mechanic to have the IMS done. The first thing the mechanic did (before it wss even in the engine bay) was check along the inside of drivers side door for a sticker which Porsche mechanics apparently apply that indicates the if/when the IMS had previously been replaced and date the work was done. He told me this because he said they are supposed to be replaced every 6 years and it's a time thing not mileage. I dunno, maybe start be checking for this sticker/stamp, you might luck out.
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The sticker would be there if (1) They used an LN Engineering retrofit, and (2) If they took the time to register the installation with LN. Then the VIN would be searchable in the LN online database as well.
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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03-23-2018, 05:48 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,631
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The sticker is for LN IMSB replacements and could also be under the trunk lid. It looks like this -
But not all installers enter their LN IMSB upgrades into the database. Mine wasn't entered, but I have my receipt, my sticker and my original IMSB. I don't know if all the manufacturers of IMSB upgrades provide stickers or databases like LN does. And even if there is a sticker, you'd still need to know that the same engine that had the IMSB replaced is still in the car. There are lots of other ways that these engines can fail besides the IMSB. JFB in PA is right about provenance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dxterity
I'm interested to hear if anyone else has heard of this but when I bought my '99, I immediately took it to a certified Porsche mechanic to have the IMS done. The first thing the mechanic did (before it was even in the engine bay) was check along the inside of drivers side door for a sticker which Porsche mechanics apparently apply that indicates the if/when the IMS had previously been replaced and date the work was done. He told me this because he said they are supposed to be replaced every 6 years and it's a time thing not mileage. I dunno, maybe start be checking for this sticker/stamp, you might luck out.
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03-23-2018, 06:16 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Frederick MD
Posts: 658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
The sticker would be there if (1) They used an LN Engineering retrofit, and (2) If they took the time to register the installation with LN. Then the VIN would be searchable in the LN online database as well.
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I had the tool and the retrofit sent direct to my mechanic in 2012. He did the install but did not register it nor did he affix the sticker. I have the paperwork from the installation and receipt from LN. I wish I had known then what I know now...
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03-23-2018, 06:20 PM
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#14
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Who's askin'?
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,446
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Thanks everyone, for your responses. looks like There's a few things I can check.
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05-22-2018, 07:00 PM
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#15
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Who's askin'?
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,446
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geof3
Another thing that is possibly tell tale, and well documented, is to inspect your oil filter for metal, and get a run down on cam deviation with a purchased durametric, or take it to a dealer/shop to do a full engine diagnostics.
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So I checked cam deviation this evening:
Position 1: 1.66
Position 2: 0.80
There is NO fluctuation as I rev the motor.
I'll be honest: with 147k miles on the car, I expected to see something quite a bit worse than that.... which makes me wonder if I did this right? hahaha.
What does this suggest? Does it suggest someone's been into the motor? (remembering that this car is new to me less than 2k miles ago)
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09-08-2018, 02:06 PM
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#16
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Who's askin'?
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,446
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I replaced the IMS bearing this month. So I was checking CAM deviation today: about DOUBLE what it was BEFORE I changed the bearing. I've got numbers at 2.47 (position 1) and 1.27 (position 2).
what gives?
sunnuva..... I knew I should've just left it alone. the bearing with 147k on it was BEAUTIFUL.
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