Poll:IMS related engine failure

[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

[Olin]

I guess some of us have the bearing replaced while the car is getting other engine work done. Or just because we are scared sh#% less that the bearing will go

With that being the case, the poll probably gives a slightly different result as to "what may have been" had these bearings not been replaced for preventative maintenance.

The YES column could have a few more unfortunate souls in it.

I see this was a 2009 pole, be interesting to see what the results may be now that the cars are 3 years older.

[Mr. Mike]

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

[cabjose]

Have a 2002 Boxster S with tiptronic transmission with 76K miles; car is daily driver but is AX periodically and has been driven regionally (20 hour nonstop trips) twice. No IMS failure yet; I have annual oil changes.

Any advise out there as to probability of an IMS failure with this mileage, type of transmission, and oil change schedule?

Any advise as to what I should do to avoid an IMS failure?

Many thanks for any replies. Cabjose.

[MikenOH]

Originally Posted by cabjose

Have a 2002 Boxster S with tiptronic transmission with 76K miles; car is daily driver but is AX periodically and has been driven regionally (20 hour nonstop trips) twice. No IMS failure yet; I have annual oil changes.

Any advise out there as to probability of an IMS failure with this mileage, type of transmission, and oil change schedule?

Any advise as to what I should do to avoid an IMS failure?

Many thanks for any replies. Cabjose.

On the preventative side, I'd recommend :
1) oil changes every 6k--I like Castrol Edge or Lubro Moly synthetic (both 5W-40)
2) Cut apart the oil filter and see if they contain metal fragments (a small magnet will help with this).
3) Take sample during an oil change and send to Blackstone labs for analysis--about $35--and they will give you a report indicating the kinds of contaminants found and condition of the oil (degredation/flash point).
4) Have a mechanic with the Durametric software do the "Camshaft Deviation test"; if you research that term on this forum it will give you information on what it does and how the information will be helpful.

[pjq]

Wow, there is a lot of wishfull thinking going on here. As long as the wish comes true every thing is rosey.
Its sort of like Russian Roulette, as long as your not the one who pulls the trigger when the bullet is in the chamber, the game is easy and you can keep playing for a long time, but just that once...., just once .....if it were to happen to you, Uhhhh shi......!
We all carry car insurance and house insurance and some may even carry life insurance all because of the "What If situation"! We hope we never have to use that insurance but we still buy it.
Well if you don't believe in the IMS failure hype then think of it as another piece of relatively cheap insurance. If you have it you won't have to read these Sad IMS failure forums wondering what to do after you've had an IMS failure.
The bullet was in the chamber, I did everything I thought possible to avoid it (oil type, Oil change frequency, driving revs, magnetic plug, etc.),except change the IMS. Mechanics told me what great shape my car was in. I had no indication there was going to be a problem. I couldn't find a mechanic that would change the IMSB. The car was running great.
2004 Boxster S 44,000 miles bought 2 years ago with 23,400 miles at the time of purchase. I've enjoyed every mile I've put on that car. Its a hot looking car and a kick ass driving car. You just have to feel great driving this car. I think Porsche made the "Love Affair " commercial with me in mind.
Last week 4hrs into a one week road trip to warmer places, oil filter change completed, I suffered the infamous IMS failure, Uhhhh shi......!
If you have someone to change your IMS just go get it done NOW why wait? Nothing good can come from waiting in this case. Every mile of driving the risk factor can only increase.
An IMS failure hurts!