IMS boxster S 2004
 

Hi All
I have 2004 boxster S with 60k on the clock
The engine was changed out under warranty when the car was 18 months old (10k on the clock), I am assuming it had something to
The clutch was changed recently before I bought the car and there is no mention of IMS.
Do I need to worry about the IMS.

I think the answer is : it depends.

Please check the engine and post the serial number. It could have been replaced with a 987 engine depending on what year the engine was replaced. The difference is the 987's did not have an IMS servicable engine.

The answer to your question is probably yes. Any replacement engine installed after 2004 would be carrying the oversized "final solution" factory bearing. As noted, this is a non serviceable version (read it is larger than the opening in the rear of the cases, so it cannot be removed with the engine assembled). These bearings do fail as well, but as there is little you can do other removing the rear seal to allow it to fully lubricate by engine oil, which is your only option short of a full read down.

In addition to removing the outer seal of the IMS bearing, you can also add the DOF (Direct Oil Feed).

I did this to my 2007 Cayman S (which carries the large bearing) about 3 years ago.

Supplying the bearing with pressurized oil is (debatably) the best thing you can do to keep this bearing from a premature death.

Good luck.

"Debatable" is a good way to put it...........

IMS boxster S 2004
 

Engine No

96/24AT67465629

IMS boxster S 2004
 

My car is the 2004 boxster S anniversary edition

It sounds like a ticking time bomb

I was told by a Porsche specialist near me to change oil to 5W40 to help reduce the probability IMS failure and also to change the oil every year regardless of mileage

It cant be that bad as this new engine fitted by Porsche has done 50k

IMS Boxster S 2004
 

Surely when the clutch was checked somebody looks at the IMS
This car has been well looked after, no skimping on servicing
It's only done 7k in 7 years

Can the M96 engine with my serial number have the larger bearing
It is a replacement engine replaced by Porsche after all

I'm trying to make sense of it all

You have proof that the oil was changed at least yearly? I wouldn't assume anything. As JFP has said, there is a high probability of a third generation bearing but what if the shop just happened to have a second gen rebuild in inventory? So at least have it looked at the next time the clutch is changed. Just a quick look at the external IMS housing will tell which it is.

Risk is a condition of human life.

That is a factory rebuilt engine. Base upon the time frame, it has the non serviceable IMS.

I previously had a 996 that had an IMS failure. Made me very gun shy. Took my 2004 986 LE down to Pedro for the DOF at 60K. Now at 101K and all is well. It ain't cheap, but new engines are $15K to $20K.

I'm actually hoping for an IMS failure in my 2.5 so I will have the justification with the wife to swap the dead motor for an LS!

OP: I was so freaked out by RMS leaks and IMS bearing failure when I first got my boxster that it almost made me too fearful to drive the car. I highly recommend you take the motor to redline after it's up to temp every time you drive the car (gets the oil into all the nooks and crannies) and forget about the IMS. If it fails it's gonna fail. And there's a good chance that it will not fail.

I have been driving my boxster like I stole it (flogging it both around town and on the track for three years) and that's the best way to own one.