[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by Gelbster

Thanks for the advice guys -it has helped decide to just rebuild the old motor- assuming the damage is limited.
When I showed the oil pan to a local Porsche expert he proclaimed it was debris from a failed IMS. "But it has an LN IMS -fitted less than1 year ago",I whined. He was undeterred by the fact. I asked why a failing IMS would release non magnetic phosphor bronze-like swarf . He breezily suggested I have it flat-bedded to him. I didn't ,I just came here instead.Yes ,I am still looking for a Porsche engine rebuilder in Pasadena/S.California.

Potentially the failing IMSB generated debris that was suspended in the oil. At start up the factory oil filtration system bypasses a huge amount of oil. If that oil has debris suspended in it, then it is delivered to the main and rod bearing. These have an epidermis layer of copper which will appear as bronze in many instances..

So what you could have been seeing was secondary, collateral damage that was created by an underlying condition. Collateral damage is what takes these engines out.