IMS issue - What Years?

[schnellman]

I've seen references on this forum to problems starting with the 1997 model. Has Porsche A.G. ever changed the bearing? In other words, is there a point where you could buy a Boxster and never think about IMS failure?

[blue2000s]

In 2009 the intermediate shaft was designed out. Any model before that has the potential for a failed bearing. Oooo, scary.

[Steve Tinker]

As blue 2000s says above, but as a sweetener - there is the advantage that pre 2005 models can have the IMS bearing assembly replaced with the LN / Flat6 ceramic bearing kit reasonably easily. After 2006 models, the crankcases will have to be split to remove the bearing - a far more daunting (and expensive) proposition.....

[Jake Raby]

All years and models are impacted by the IMS bearing issues. No particular year is better or worse based on the data I have collected when dealing with failure calls.

[thstone]

Yes, today is a perfectly good day to buy a Boxster and not worry about an IMS issue. Tomorrow is just as good. And the day after that.

IMS failures do occur but the percentage is low and the issue is, IMHO, blown out of proportion to the actual probability of having a failure.

Change your oil frequently, drive your car like it was meant to driven, and sleep easy.

[DEye]

Your little Pep talk did a little to chase away those Dark and Scary IMS Clouds and I may sleep better tonight - but that littlle Devil :dance: will still be there in the back of my mind...

[Dave S.]

Changing your oil frequently is always a good idea, but I'm always surprised when people say that in regards to the IMS bearing since it is a sealed bearing.

[harryrcb]

Originally Posted by Dave S.

Changing your oil frequently is always a good idea, but I'm always surprised when people say that in regards to the IMS bearing since it is a sealed bearing.

Dave, that's because oil still finds it's way into the intermediate shaft and to the bearing which then washes the grease out of the "sealed" bearing most likely due to heat expansion. Unfortunately the oil does not get replaced in that tube too often unless perhaps you drive the car like you stole it, then newer oil gets to it eventually. I have replace several bearings that have been tracked regularly (almost monthly) and driven hard even on the street with 3-5k oil changes and in one case the bearing had 98k with the bearings in perfect condition however none of them had grease in them. On the other hand I just replaced one where the car was babied and the oil changed only around 10k , the bearing failed at 33k. my opinion is that because the oil was not changed often and the car not driven hard at all the newer oil did not get a chance to "splash" up into the bearing shaft and oil broke down along with the bearing.