How was the dealer so sure the problem was IMS? Can't tell externally...gotta get into the engine.
How did the car get from your friends to the dealer's and to your place?
If it should be IMS or anything seriously wrong internally, you'll do more damage if you try and start it. You'll just be spreading more broken pieces around making any repair more difficult because all those pieces have to be cleaned out or you are wasting any rebuild $. And a pro rebuild almost a necessity with the corresponding expense.
Even if it is IMS pre-failure (meaning noise and its almost failing but hasn't disintegrated yet) there is a possible comparatively low cost cure. I'd go to
www.flat6innovetions.com (see the ad at the top of the page here) and talk to Jake.
A write up on the options available if your engine is blown is
here .
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