Poll:IMS related engine failure - Page 4 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Boxster_986 · 05-12-2011, 08:55 AM

This IMS issue seems way too common to ignore in my opinion. Just bought a 2001 with 34K miles and can't deal with the idea of having to pull and find a replacement engine!! The lady I bought it from bought a 2003 with similar miles; hers just blew up!!!!!

These are well engineered race cars......but ooops, sometimes an engineer makes a bad call and hopes the problem goes away....apparently it hasn't.

I gues I'm in the upgrade piece of mind camp......so I can spend more of my time DRIVING!!!

TerrRoyals · 06-08-2011, 06:22 PM

I had a failure of the IMS last year in my 2003 Boxster S. I was ticked that Porsche said, "sorry, but not our issue". I found a law firm in CA that was pursuing a class action suit and just heard that they couldn't find enough failures with "in Warranty" cars to pursue a class action suit. I did put in a used engine and an after market bearing...all is back on the track and running well. Maybe, one day, Porsche will step up, but I will be in a C4 by then. :ah:

Boxster_986 · 06-09-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerrRoyals

I had a failure of the IMS last year in my 2003 Boxster S. I was ticked that Porsche said, "sorry, but not our issue". I found a law firm in CA that was pursuing a class action suit and just heard that they couldn't find enough failures with "in Warranty" cars to pursue a class action suit. I did put in a used engine and an after market bearing...all is back on the track and running well. Maybe, one day, Porsche will step up, but I will be in a C4 by then. :ah:

How many miles until you had a failure; my friends failed at 23K on her 2005 base model? After the IMS upgrade my bearing was ok.....but after pulling the seals didn't see a lot of grease in there...more a mixture of residual grease and oil. Think it was just a matter of time. If I ever own another one of these engine types I figure its the cost of ownership, and should be considered as part of the purchase... Porsche however has lost some luster with me...

MikenOH · 06-10-2011, 05:09 AM

Since I first started this poll 3 years ago, there have been a number of very interesting posts on the IMS subject. I don't think we can draw any conclusions from this small data base except that this problem does occur and does affect an unknown % number of cars.

One thing of interest that I've noticed is that I continue to come across cars, both 986 and 987 model Boxsters, with very high mileage--+100K---that have gone that far without a IMS failure. The most recent was a 2005 Boxster S at a local DE with 117K on the clock and lots of track miles. The owner related his only problem to date was with the AOS that was replaced. This the second 2005 S model I've come across with high mileage, continuing to function with the original engine while doing lots of tracks miles as a instructor's car.

I balance these first hand observations against the reports, on this site and others, regarding low mileage, sedately driven cars that have reported IMS failures well under the 50K mark.

I don't know if the difference is more frequent oil changes/higher revs or good/bad karma, but--somehow--these bearing assemblies can survive in highly stressed use for long periods of time vs. coming part while cruising at low speeds. To me, this suggests that spirited use really does help extend the life of this engine.

Finally, I'd like to take the time to express my appreciation for all the work Jake and Charles have done to investigate the causes and provide solutions to the IMS problem. Having driven a '99' model and now an 06 over the course of the past 11 years, it's reassuring to know that there is an organization out there working to resolve potential problems with these cars with cost-effective products.

fooksm · 06-27-2011, 04:19 AM

2001 Boxster S with IMS failure at 102000Kms.... The only major components which could be re-used were the cylinder heads, the rest was junk.

The new engine was built using the ceramic bearings so she should be ok for quite a while now.

Jake Raby · 06-27-2011, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Finally, I'd like to take the time to express my appreciation for all the work Jake and Charles have done to investigate the causes and provide solutions to the IMS problem. Having driven a '99' model and now an 06 over the course of the past 11 years, it's reassuring to know that there is an organization out there working to resolve potential problems with these cars with cost-effective products

What an awesome way to start the week! Too often what we do is perceived incorrectly and people believe that our motivation is money. That couldn't be further from the truth as the sense of pride that we get from each challenge that we accept and problem that we overcome is better than any dollar that is generated.

BoxsterSteve · 08-06-2011, 10:25 AM

I bought a 47,000 mile 2000 Boxster S at the end of May; many thanks to Jake at Flat 6 for his responses to my emails on my concerns with this IMS issue.

When I bought the car, I had planned on having the IMSR procedure done ASAP.

My indie finally got into the car this past Thursday, and upon teardown, found a bearing with lots of looseness; oozing oil and metal flakes. Ouch.

The first thing he told me was he wouldn't have started the car if he knew the bearing was that bad, he would have pushed it into the shop. He ordered a replacement bearing from LN, and I will hopefully have my ride back before the end of the week.

By the looks of it, I'm a lucky Boxster owner. A bad IMS bearing, but caught before the dreaded BOOM.

Thanks folks,
Ciao

DenverSteve · 08-11-2011, 07:55 PM

Almost all of the failure stories start with "my friend" or "someone I knew" etc. That or my car had XXX hours of track time. My dealer service rep. has been with that dealership (one of the largest, if not the largest, Porsche dealers in Colorado. They deal with a lot of Porsches and recall one IMS failure in that decade. It happens but (I believe) at a very very small percentage. I believe those who have had failures should indeed file complaints if their issues were not handled by the factory. He also told me that no amount of babying the car or maintenance will make any difference. If yours is one that will fail, it will fail no matter what.

fooksm · 08-12-2011, 12:35 AM

Steve,

I currently have 2 Boxsters, one of which suffered an IMS failure which totalled the engine... It is a 2001 3.2s and had 102000 kms on it at the time of the failure. No Porsche dealer is aware of thisspecific car having had an IMS failure as there is no point due to it's age.

The data on these IMS failures does seem to suggest that low mileage per year cars are more prone to IMS failure than others and I have just bought an LN Engineering IMS upgrade to install in the 2nd Boxster when I change it's clutch next year, just because I don't want the downtime involved if the 2nd Boxster were to suffer an IMS failure.

In my case, the 2nd Boxster has no service history and fewer miles per year than tge 2001 S so I feel that there are certain things which I should do to minimise the risk of unforseen problems with the car, such as IMS upgrade and a new Clutch whilst I'm there. As with all older cars which I purchase, the very first thing was a full major service, of course as I now know exactly what fluids the car has in it and exactly when that was done.

The 2001 Boxster with failed IMS lasted very nearly 10 years before suffering an IMS failure and I am assuming that my other one has lasted nearly 12 years without an IMS failure so I agree that IMS failures are not as common as some would have us think.

mallai · 09-07-2011, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche666

I need a way to change my answer. I voted no in the poll last year, but my 2004 Special Edition suffered an IMS failure with 20k miles on it this month.

It looks like a scary ratio of the 2004 SE's have had issues.....not good.

Ever consider your modifcations to your Boxster may have contributed to your failure?

After reading through this forum and planning to look at a 2004 S 550 SE in a few days, I'm thinking of scrapping buying a Boxster altogether..I've been elated for several weeks since making the decision to buy one but now totally disheartened..

mts · 09-07-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mallai

After reading through this forum and planning to look at a 2004 S 550 SE in a few days, I'm thinking of scrapping buying a Boxster altogether..I've been elated for several weeks since making the decision to buy one but now totally disheartened..

Get the IMS updated and sleep like a baby. It's one heck of a car once that is fixed. I have a friend selling a 550 that has already had the LN Engineering IMS upgrade done. Solid car. PM me if you have any interest and I will get you the contact information.

dennis · 09-11-2011, 04:43 AM

I travel alot for work, and in my travels i have stopped at 3 or 4 different porsche specialists in the Northeast US. They all were very aware of the IMS problem and retrofit available, but didnt think it was a problem of epidemic proportions. They also took time to inform me of several of their customers that track and dont track their cras that ha e necer done the upgrade and have low and high miles.they would obviously all have loved tontake my money and do the upgrade, but all told me they would just leave it alone, properly drive and maintain the car, and enjoy

danyl55 · 10-01-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mts

I thought the fact that I put a smiley face on my original comment would ensure folks knew it was a joke. I guess porsche666 didn't see it that way. I'd hate to think my IMS failed because I'm a jerk.......we'll need to add that one to the pile though along with the oil used, how hard the car was driven, how many miles it has, etc. Beyond a somewhat bad design with a weak sealed bearing by Porsche I supposed it's as good a theory as anything else.

thanks for the explain--I thought the failure only happened to people who couldn't afford the "fix"-

Tony W · 10-02-2011, 05:42 AM

I have a 2003 Boxster S with 148,000 Kilometers on the clock. It is my daily drive approx 70 Kilometers Monday to Friday. No sign of any unusual noises or oil leaks (and I do listen for them). I plan to replace the IMS Bearing & RMS at 160,000 Kilometers using the ceramic after market bearing as a precaution.
Have had to replace the water pump twice, the bearings on the serpantine belt tensioner & idler wheels. The air oil separator was embarrassing when it let go and I have replaced the clutch pressure plate & driven plate. Oh and the alternatior neeeded a rebuild as well.
I change the oil and filter every 10,000 Kilometers often wonder if the reason that some experience failures is cold climate effects on oil viscosity at startup. I live in a temperate climate where the temperature never gets near freezing.
I look forward to getting into the car every day & do not intend to ever sell it. It is a modern day classic.

goldenell · 10-25-2011, 09:04 AM

I have a 01MY S with 110K on clock. RMS seal replaced at 48K. That's the only thing I can find in the history related to this and no failure to report. It has been serviced to schedule and is driven gently mostly with the odd 'blast' once a month or so.

ChairmanRon · 10-31-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenell

I have a 01MY S with 110K on clock. RMS seal replaced at 48K. That's the only thing I can find in the history related to this and no failure to report. It has been serviced to schedule and is driven gently mostly with the odd 'blast' once a month or so.

I think we need a poll among IMS failure victims as to their climate. You may have a point there!

fivepointnine · 10-31-2011, 06:47 PM

no issues at 65k miles, but am planning on doing the IMS upgrade with my tax return this year

silverboxter · 11-20-2011, 02:48 PM

I thought that my daily driver 2001 Base Box was safe since it had over 100,000 miles. I performed all services before required and "babied" my car. Never raced or red-lined. The IMS failed at 129,666 miles. Don't know if it was bad luck or bad design....I just know that my wallet took a hit to get a donor engine and get her back on the road. Guess this is another, "I never thought this would happen to me story."

Hope it doesn't happen to you...

san rensho · 11-20-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverboxter

I thought that my daily driver 2001 Base Box was safe since it had over 100,000 miles. I performed all services before required and "babied" my car. Never raced or red-lined. The IMS failed at 129,666 miles. Don't know if it was bad luck or bad design....I just know that my wallet took a hit to get a donor engine and get her back on the road. Guess this is another, "I never thought this would happen to me story."

Hope it doesn't happen to you...

Sorry to hear it. Any warning? Metal in oil filter, noises, cam deviation, oil leaks?

MikenOH · 11-21-2011, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverboxter

I thought that my daily driver 2001 Base Box was safe since it had over 100,000 miles. I performed all services before required and "babied" my car. Never raced or red-lined. The IMS failed at 129,666 miles. Don't know if it was bad luck or bad design....I just know that my wallet took a hit to get a donor engine and get her back on the road. Guess this is another, "I never thought this would happen to me story."

Hope it doesn't happen to you...

questions:

laid up for extended periods?

Oil change interval and which one used?

How often do you buzz it?