Question about reman engines and IMS

[Jake Raby]

I am looking at a 02 s with a reman engine 2 years ago. He says it has the updated IMS. Does this mean I won't have to worry about it going bad, or is there still an issue with Porsche's IMS from 2 years ago?

All Reman engines from 2006+ have the later 997 style IMS bearing. This bearing is not removable as it is larger than the access port in the crankcase. When this bearing begins to fail, the engine is issued a Death Certificate because it cannot be replaced without complete engine disassembly.

The 997 series bearings are beginning to fail more frequently and we are beginning to see them now that those cars and engines are coming out of warranty and the issues are becoming more apparent, just like the older engines did.

I have some pics of failed 997 series bearings I'll be posting on my site soon. Only time will tell how serious the issues will be with the later bearings.

Until an engine is fully updated it will have inherent issues that may or may not ever kill it.. A fully updated engine can't be sourced from Porsche.

[Evan528]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

All Reman engines from 2006+ have the later 997 style IMS bearing. This bearing is not removable as it is larger than the access port in the crankcase. When this bearing begins to fail, the engine is issued a Death Certificate because it cannot be replaced without complete engine disassembly.

The 997 series bearings are beginning to fail more frequently and we are beginning to see them now that those cars and engines are coming out of warranty and the issues are becoming more apparent, just like the older engines did.

I have some pics of failed 997 series bearings I'll be posting on my site soon. Only time will tell how serious the issues will be with the later bearings.

Until an engine is fully updated it will have inherent issues that may or may not ever kill it.. A fully updated engine can't be sourced from Porsche.

Just what I didnt want to hear!!! I am leaning more and more towards handing my 08 cayman s back in at the end of the lease next year. My buyout is $40,000. Its a scary thought to spend that much buying it only to have a $20,000 engine go.

I sure wish porsche would get their act together with these engines.

[Jake Raby]

ALL Cayman engines have the non-serviceable IMS bearings.. Rumor has it the earliest had the older style, but I have never quantified that.
What you don't want to hear and what you need to hear in order to make wise decisions are two different things.

[kcpaz]

Jake, what year did they start with the 9A1?

[Jake Raby]

Late in 2008..

I expect to begin seeing problems with those too.. Their is a reason why every flat 6 since 1964 used an "Intermediate shaft"... Removing that component was a mistake if you ask me.. Earlier engines used a plain "layshaft" bearing that didn't fail, but the shaft was still there.. Just like in a 964 based GT3 or Turbo engine.

We will be tearing apart our first engine of the new design in a couple of months. We are proudly voiding its warranty at 4K miles to get started on development and a big bore arrangement.

[kcpaz]

Maybe I'm ignorant (which is very possible since I've never personally rebuilt a Porsche engine) but why do you feel that an intermediate shaft is so necessary? At the risk of comparing apples and oranges, Subaru doesn't use an intermediate shaft (on their 4 cylinders, or their 6 cylinders) and IMO, they are better off for it. Why add another system to fail?. Reminds me of the Mitsubishi 4G63 motors with their balance shafts. "Enthusiasts" remove the shafts all together because they aren't necessary and its just one more system that can cause timing belt issues.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by kcpaz

Maybe I'm ignorant (which is very possible since I've never personally rebuilt a Porsche engine) but why do you feel that an intermediate shaft is so necessary? At the risk of comparing apples and oranges, Subaru doesn't use an intermediate shaft (on their 4 cylinders, or their 6 cylinders) and IMO, they are better off for it. Why add another system to fail?. Reminds me of the Mitsubishi 4G63 motors with their balance shafts. "Enthusiasts" remove the shafts all together because they aren't necessary and its just one more system that can cause timing belt issues.

Not quite the same thing.

What you are referring to is removal of the balance shaft, not an intermediate shaft. The makes you point out use a rotating mass to dampen vibrations. The IMS in a M96 Porsche is not there for this purpose, the crank turns one end of the IMS, the other end turns the camshafts; remove it and the engine will not operate..................