Poll:IMS related engine failure

[mikefocke]

The best source of information is the web site at LNengineering.

Any rotating bearing wears. Some IMS bearings have gone 255k miles, some 10k.

Will a Pre-Purchase Inspection detect a failing bearing? Depends on who is doing it. Someone with the right software (late revision of Durametric..maybe PST2, PIWIS) can detect camshaft deviation which is a common early warning sign. One of those cases where a great PPI is worth every bit of what you'll pay, a lousy one worth very little. Ask if they do a camshaft deviation test, if they don't, go elsewhere.

Can it be prevented? Reduce probability by using a good oil, changing it much more frequently than Porsche calls for, drive it every day and keep the revs up. To prevent it, the best known commonly available approach is to replace the bearing with one that uses a different lubrication technique and a better bearing (when you do the clutch, do the RMS and the IMS). There are detection kits available (flat6engineering) but if the buzzer goes off, you still have to replace the bearing.

Your 2003 probably has the least desirable bearing of the 3 Porsche used.

The good news is that, even with all the above, the probability of failure in any one car is very low.

Owned 2, loved 'em both. As close to zero problems over 6 years as any of the 40 cars I've ever owned.

[zzlion]

to mikefocke and 2003S thanks for the feedback. It is greatly appreciated.

[SoK]

My cars been fantastic in the nearly 2 years I've owned it. I'm extremely pleased with the reliability so far for a car this age. All I've done is standard maintainance and recharged the AC.

When I bought it in 2010, I did have the dealer replace the RMS and all the other seals/gaskets throughout the motor and transmission. While doing this, they inspected all the engine components and gave it a clean bill of health.

I hope I don't have any IMS issues, but it's a daily driver (work/weekends, rain/shine), I change the oil every 5k with Mobile 1 and stretch it's legs a couple times a month. I think I'll be fine. I plan on replacing the t-stat, AOS and waterpump this coming spring as preventative maintainance. After that, I'm confident I won't have to do ANYTHING to the car until 100k (I'm at 58k now).

It's been an excellent experience so far and I'm glad I didn't let the horror stories on this site scare me away. I will buy another Porsche in the next 2 years (Cayenne S). Wish I had a S model now...

[firstporsche]

Here's another 2002 Boxster without a problem. 2nd owner, 60000+ miles.

When I took the car in for its 60K service, my mechanic (a Porsche & German car specialist) mentioned the IMS issue to me and suggested I consider a retrofit. So, I'm researching and investigating. Right now, the poll results look pretty good for '02

[temporarychicken]

I have just bought an early 2003 facelift Boxster s. The car was born with clear lights. I'm not sure of the build date but some of the plastic parts on the coolant bottle are date stamped with late 2002. The car is steptronic auto.

It has covered 112000 miles. I got it 3 weeks ago but I have done about 600 of these already at mostly 3000rpm due to a sudden spell of good weather in the UK.
The previous owner had the car in his possession for just over a year and only did just over 1 k that year. It must have therefore been on 110000 back in 2011.

The service history is good, but with no evidence that the gearbox has ever been off.

The car drives beautifully. Idle sounds clean and clear, with no oil drips underneath. I have a very sensitive ear for these sorts of things. I once had a triumph Stag which sheared the teeth of the jack shaft (same thing as IMS) on the M25 ands I can still remember the sound - these things leave you with a paranoia.

I feel my car is at risk from the IMS issue so even though the oil is only 2000 miles old I think I will put my own oil in this weekend and change the oil filter. Oil recommendations from UK owners will be most welcome.

This may seem excessive but it will enable me to perform a detailed scientific ferrous-contamination analysis on the filter cartridge, ie sitting it on some kitchen roll, letting it drain, holding it to the sun and checking for sparkly bits.

If it passes this rigorous test with no shining or sparkling, then my plan is to drive the carfor another 5k and then repeat the above.

Is this sane, or not?

[Olin]

Add me to the pole for a 2001s tip, 140,000 k's not sure what that in miles but it would be getting up there.

No sign of an IMS problem, but as I write this my car is at the Doctors having the new IMS bearing put in. Pick it up tomorrow, couple of other small jobs and quote was $2000.00.

Just chickened out, could have kept driving, but the odd IMS failure stories freaked me out.

Looking at the poll maybe I have panicked for no reason, but....I will now feel more confident when I'm belting around in the country knowing I should no longer have an IMS problem.

$2 g's cheap insurance I guess, although "she who must be obeyed" is not all that happy about it.

[2000boxster986]

Add me as a no... 2000 986. Just changed mine. Old double bearing has 83787 miles on it and still turned smooth with no side to side movement. It was full of oil. Cheers

[Mr. Mike]

2000S 43,000 miles, no problems to date.