Pls help: RMS vs IMS failure?

[ftor]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Jake Raby and Charles Navarro have been "suggesting" replcement of the IMS at normal clutch replacement intervals (40-50K miles), just to be safe until a larger base of installed units can provide better data. Last I heard, to date, no replacement LN IMS unit has failed in service................

Thank you, i purchased the car with 60K miles, i have the 60K service comleted and the shop said overall very good car. i do trust the shop since they have worked on my benz for years. is there a way i can check the IMS to see if it may have been changed or is this require a major disassembly. i would hate to spend 1k if the IMS has already been done?
help if you can
thanks

[JFP in PA]

Unfortunately, the only way to inspect the IMS is to pull the gear box, and then remove the clutch and flywheel. Many Porsche dealers still are telling people that the only way to change the IMS bearing is to split the cases (total disassembly of the engine), even though not just independent shops, but backyarders are pulling them from fully assembled engines and replacing them with the LN unit.

Two things to consider: If the IMS bearing had be upgraded, it would have been a featured selling point when the car was sold; dealerships (in general, as LN has won some converts) would not change the IMS bearing, they would replace the engine.

You can also check with LN Engineering to see if you VIN is listed as having been upgraded…………