Another IMS issue 04 Boxster S - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

harryrcb · 03-27-2011, 08:14 PM

Here is another statistic for the IMS failure. This is an 04 Boxster S Trip with less than 35k on the odometer. The owner Hung Vo from Texas was filling up gas when he noticed a puddle of oil under the car. Unfortunately he drove it home which was not far. Miraculously he made it, that's when he called me about my engine. So we made a deal and shipped the car to my place and this is what I found. Motor still turns over (by hand) but you can feel the valves touching, barely. the oil filter and the bottom of the pan were just thick with metal shavings. Have not taken the bearing out yet, I will swap engines first and get poor Hung going again, then I will tear apart the engine and see how much damage there is. BTW the nut and what's left of the shaft is exactly where I found them when I pulled the transmission.
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insite · 03-28-2011, 03:51 AM

horrible! what a POS design.....

harryrcb · 03-28-2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insite

horrible! what a POS design.....

Not what you would expect from German engineering !!!!

Jake Raby · 03-28-2011, 09:05 AM

Why do people do this!! If you hear a noise or see oil STOP!!! Do not start the car again!
We could have saved his engine if the engine wasn't re-started.

NO NOISE IS GOOD!!! NO LOSS OF OIL IS GOOD! If you see either STOP, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE and call the engine failure hotline!

Hawkeye71 · 03-28-2011, 10:25 AM

I just noticed I have a small leak on mine. It appears to be from the transmission/motor area. Gonna pull the tranny when I get a chance. I pulled the oil filter housing and all looks good there. No metal or the like. I think it might just be the rear main oil seal.

smcgeary · 03-28-2011, 11:15 AM

Really makes me feel good about spending the money on the LN/Flat6 IMS retrofit!

tnoice · 03-28-2011, 11:47 AM

Jake, I also do not understand why if someone has a car that is injured, they limp it home. CALL A TOW TRUCK! If you break your leg, while jogging, do you stop and call for assistance or do you continue to run home on your bumb leg?

sorry, just my $.02

AndyA6 · 03-28-2011, 12:24 PM

In all fairness..... if one does not know any better.... BUT should have known, I guess.

Not all people know about engines/mechanics etc., just look at your kids, neighbors and so on!

harryrcb · 03-28-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyA6

In all fairness..... if one does not know any better.... BUT should have known, I guess.

Not all people know about engines/mechanics etc., just look at your kids, neighbors and so on!

I don't think the owner knew at the time what the consequences could be. He learned about the IMS after the fact. I guess not everyone can be mechanically inclined..

monaghana · 03-29-2011, 01:35 AM

Sorry just wanted to check if you are you talking about the RMS

I had my 02 Boxster S in for a major service in December and the mechanic advised me that there was some oil showing at the rear main seal (RMS) He described it as 'sweating' and said it was not unusual for these cars. I should keep an eye on it and check regularly. Four months later my car was in yesterday (same garage) for its annual m.o.t. inspection and I had braced myself for a hefty quote to have the seal replaced and while we're at it we might s well replace the clutch oh and we'll drill out those exhaust bolts and replace along with gasket. I was watching the clock and adding up the #50 per hour labour costs plus parts thinking I'm easily into four figures.
I was pleasantly surprised when they called to say car ready for collection. When I got there they said nothing required. Yes the seal is still sweating but no worse than before (and I'm driving the car every day added about 2k miles since service), the bolts can wait for another time and we'll see you next December. Keep checking oil. Bill for 58 pounds.

He did say they had a stack of Porsche engines in the back all oil related damage, so make sure you check oil level regularly.

My car has 42k miles

harryrcb · 03-29-2011, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monaghana

Sorry just wanted to check if you are you talking about the RMS

I had my 02 Boxster S in for a major service in December and the mechanic advised me that there was some oil showing at the rear main seal (RMS) He described it as 'sweating' and said it was not unusual for these cars. I should keep an eye on it and check regularly. Four months later my car was in yesterday (same garage) for its annual m.o.t. inspection and I had braced myself for a hefty quote to have the seal replaced and while we're at it we might s well replace the clutch oh and we'll drill out those exhaust bolts and replace along with gasket. I was watching the clock and adding up the #50 per hour labour costs plus parts thinking I'm easily into four figures.
I was pleasantly surprised when they called to say car ready for collection. When I got there they said nothing required. Yes the seal is still sweating but no worse than before (and I'm driving the car every day added about 2k miles since service), the bolts can wait for another time and we'll see you next December. Keep checking oil. Bill for 58 pounds.

He did say they had a stack of Porsche engines in the back all oil related damage, so make sure you check oil level regularly.

My car has 42k miles

Yes there were issues with the RMS and they redesigned the seal but the IMS is right underneath the RMS and will also leak in the same location so you can't tell which it is until you pull the transmission out. If you have your RMS replaced, do yourself a favor and replace the IMS bearing with LN Engineering's setup. It's the safest thing to do. and change the oil often - 5k(miles)