Best Clutch kit & IMS bearing for 2000 Boxster S 3.2L 6spd

[986man2015]

Hello all, I am new to this site. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and recently had a family member purchase a 2000 Porsche Boxster S with 100K Miles on it. I'm wondering if you guys can help me out with a couple of questions. I have heard horror stories about the IMS bearings going out and ruining engines. Since I don't have much of a history on the car's service, do you think I should have the IMS bearing replaced? It's quite expensive but I have seen bearing kits online for around $600 all the way up to $1300. The car doesn't seem to have any issues when I drive it. However, I am afraid it will just blow up on me if that IMS bearing is bad. Secondly, IF we do replace the IMS bearing, I have been told we might as well replace the clutch at the same time. I have seen clutch kits on ebay for as low as $345. However, I don't know what brand to buy. There is a sachs kit and a Luk kit? Both of the are around the same price. Has anyone on here bought either one of these kits from ebay? If so, how well are the clutches holding up?

Any help sure would be appreciated. Also, if there are any members on here in the DFW area I sure would like to hear from you.

Thanks so much in advance for your assistance.

Sincerely,

"O"

[KRAM36]

I see the fear mongering has gotten to you.

[Redboxs]

I had my clutch and RMS replaced when I bought my car. Went with OEM, including the flywheel ( crazy expensive ) it was around 4k out the door. The clutches in these cars are rather small and take a lot of abuse, I'd spend the money and get a quality clutch. Just my 0.02. As far as IMS goes.. errr we could talk about that for months... get a PPI done. That will tell you alot. Good luck!!

[986man2015]

What is a PPI? I may just take my chances on the IMS and NOT have the work done. The car runs fine and the clutch seems fine. I do notice a "ticking" sound but not sure if that could be a valve that needs to be adjusted or what? Any thoughts? It kinda sounds like a valve but not sure. It's not really loud but seems like it has maybe gotten just slightly louder (heck, I could just be overthinking it all).

[healthservices]

Originally Posted by 986man2015

What is a PPI? I may just take my chances on the IMS and NOT have the work done. The car runs fine and the clutch seems fine. I do notice a "ticking" sound but not sure if that could be a valve that needs to be adjusted or what? Any thoughts? It kinda sounds like a valve but not sure. It's not really loud but seems like it has maybe gotten just slightly louder (heck, I could just be overthinking it all).

OMG are you serious? You have not done a search on the "Tick of Death" or "Death rattle"?

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by healthservices

OMG are you serious? You have not done a search on the "Tick of Death" or "Death rattle"?

He is pulling your leg lol.

These engines have a different idle sound to them, kind of like a sewing machine. Can you give us more info on the tick? Where do you hear it coming from, increase with RPM?

Possible you could give us a sound clip of it?

Water pumps are known to do this when they are going bad and if that car has the original water pump, it's life is about over.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by healthservices

OMG are you serious? You have not done a search on the "Tick of Death" or "Death rattle"?

Best post of the week!

[986man2015]

Originally Posted by thstone

Best post of the week!

I'm not sure what I'm looking at here. Is that a rock inside the bearing race?

[mikefocke]

Pre Purchase Inspection

[thstone]

Originally Posted by 986man2015

I do notice a "ticking" sound but not sure if that could be a valve that needs to be adjusted or what? Any thoughts? It kinda sounds like a valve but not sure.

This is most likely a sticky hydraulic valve lifter (sometimes called a valve tappet). The hydraulic (non-adjustable) lifter replaced the old-style adjustable lifters where high pressure oil is pumped into the lifter to take up the slack between the valve and the cam.

The idea is that hydraulic valves/lifters are always in perfect adjustment - except when the lifter sticks and won't take up the slack - then you hear the valve tapping on the lifter because its out of adjustment.

To fix this, the cam cover has to be removed and the lifter repaired or replaced. This job is actually more complicated than it sounds because the cams need to be locked in place so the engine keeps timing and so they don't fall out when the cam cover is removed. Also re-sealing the cam covers can be a pain (there is no gasket, just sealant). When you're ready to learn all of the details you can do a search and find all you need to know. Its not an immediate need, but its also something that shouldn't be forgotten.

[986man2015]

Originally Posted by thstone

This is most likely a sticky hydraulic valve lifter (sometimes called a valve tappet). The hydraulic (non-adjustable) lifter replaced the old-style adjustable lifters where high pressure oil is pumped into the lifter to take up the slack between the valve and the cam.

The idea is that hydraulic valves/lifters are always in perfect adjustment - except when the lifter sticks and won't take up the slack - then you hear the valve tapping on the lifter because its out of adjustment.

To fix this, the cam cover has to be removed and the lifter repaired or replaced. This job is actually more complicated than it sounds because the cams need to be locked in place so the engine keeps timing and so they don't fall out when the cam cover is removed. Also re-sealing the cam covers can be a pain (there is no gasket, just sealant). When you're ready to learn all of the details you can do a search and find all you need to know. Its not an immediate need, but its also something that shouldn't be forgotten.

Thanks so much for your help.

[BRAN]

Mine blows white smoke, so called Boxster fart, once in a while...
Mine used to eat batteries ever 3-4 years... gone with tickle charging during longer stands
Mine drops oil when it stands longer...i get more worried now if it doesn't
and I am sure I heard loud rattling noises during start up twice within 14 years...

...and it still runs like a charm (ok...did not hit 50k km yet, but hey)...especially after dealership service every other year. It is the most reliable car I ever had.

After so many years, I still stay calm, relaxed and enjoy the rides..and if the engine blows, it blows, so what. A good excuse to upgrade to a bigger (PORSCHE) engine

ENJOY your Boxster

[healthservices]

What, Kram, you don't know about it either????


Well it is April 1st... maybe I am kidding ...


or am I?????

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by healthservices

What, Kram, you don't know about it either????


Well it is April 1st... maybe I am kidding ...


or am I?????

When I bought my Boxster I knew nothing about them. I joined this forum to learn about the car. I was stricken and worried of the IMSB failing on my car with all the fear post on here about it.

Then I noticed something. The percentage of it failing is very very low. I also notice it was more common to garage queen cars that hardly get driven (low mileage cars). Oil sits at the IMSB and seeps into the IMSB from sitting for so long.

2 years and 17k miles later on a 116k miles engine and I've had zero debris in my oil, I no longer worry about it. In the years I've been on this forum I've only seen one person post on a actual IMSB failure, he even had a GoPro running when it happened. I've read numerous post of people upgrading the IMSB and come to find out their IMSB was perfectly fine.

We have members on here with 200k, 300k miles on the engine and never replaced the IMSB.

Although If you're replacing the clutch, yes I would do the IMSB upgrade at the same time.

[coreseller]

Sources for what you asked for.......

Clutch Kit:

Sachs Clutch Kit 2000 01 02 03 04 Porsche Boxster s 3 2L | eBay

LUK Flywheel if needed:

New Porsche Dual Mass Flywheel Boxster s 00 07 Luk DMF042 98611401206 | eBay

IMS Bearing:

Problem: IMS Failure. Solution: IMS Retrofit

I did mine myself on my back in my garage:

IMS, RMS, Tranny R & R Tips - 986 Series (Boxster, Boxster S) - RennTech.org Forums

If you do not think you want or could tackle it there are PLENTY of guys here from Texas who could point you in the right direction as to who would do a good job.

As to whether or not to deal with it, that is your call. Statistically the numbers are in your favor regarding your IMS not failing, but if it does you will definitely get stung dollar wise. Kram's statement above is a bit misleading, from my recollection there have been quite a few members who've experienced IMS failure over the years, many have since moved on or sold their cars.

If the car is nearing a clutch replacement anyway probably a good idea to replace the IMS Bearing and Rear Main Seal while everything is accessible with the transmission out, Good Luck........

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by coreseller

Sources for what you asked for.......

Clutch Kit:

Sachs Clutch Kit 2000 01 02 03 04 Porsche Boxster s 3 2L | eBay

LUK Flywheel if needed:

New Porsche Dual Mass Flywheel Boxster s 00 07 Luk DMF042 98611401206 | eBay

IMS Bearing:

Problem: IMS Failure. Solution: IMS Retrofit

I did mine myself on my back in my garage:

IMS, RMS, Tranny R & R Tips - 986 Series (Boxster, Boxster S) - RennTech.org Forums

If you do not think you want or could tackle it there are PLENTY of guys here from Texas who could point you in the right direction as to who would do a good job.

As to whether or not to deal with it, that is your call. Statistically the numbers are in your favor regarding your IMS not failing, but if it does you will definitely get stung dollar wise. Kram's statement above is a bit misleading, from my recollection there have been quite a few members who've experienced IMS failure over the years, many have since moved on or sold their cars.

If the car is nearing a clutch replacement anyway probably a good idea to replace the IMS Bearing and Rear Main Seal while everything is accessible with the transmission out, Good Luck........

It's not misleading. I said in my years here on the forums. I have only seen one person post an actual IMSB failure.

If you decide to do it, do it with one that will never need replacing.

Porsche 911 Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Update Kit IMS Solution 996 986 | eBay

IMS Solution for Single Row IMS MY00-05 - IMS - Products LN Engineering

[itsnotanova]

Mayo Performance Specialties
Auto Repair Shop
Address: 1521 Baccarac Ct, Euless, TX 76040
Home

I know you're looking for suggestions on what parts to buy, but incase you wanted to bring it to someone for a second opinion. They are in your area and I highly recommend them for anyone in the Dallas area. I don't really know the owner of the garage but I do know two of the mechanics very well. They're brothers and both race spec boxsters along with their dad. One if not both has attended Jake Raby's classes.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

Mayo Performance Specialties
Auto Repair Shop
Address: 1521 Baccarac Ct, Euless, TX 76040
Home

I know you're looking for suggestions on what parts to buy, but incase you wanted to bring it to someone for a second opinion. They are in your area and I highly recommend them for anyone in the Dallas area. I don't really know the owner of the garage but I do know two of the mechanics very well. They're brothers and both race spec boxsters along with their dad. One if not both has attended Jake Raby's classes.

Chris at Mayo is the only IMS Solution Certified Installer in Texas.

[986man2015]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Chris at Mayo is the only IMS Solution Certified Installer in Texas.

What do you mean by "Mayo"?

[986man2015]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Chris at Mayo is the only IMS Solution Certified Installer in Texas.

Got it! Thanks so much for the information. I will take it to them and see if they can give it an overall checkup and give me some sound advice on the car's overall condition.

I will update on here on what they had to say.