Impending IMS failure?

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Can anyone offer some insight into the sounds?

BANG!!! (j/k)

I don't think anyone who's suffered from IMS failure heard any type of "death rattle" before the event occured. I've read many of the threads and don't recall anyone saying there was some sort of sound before it happened. They generally were driving along just fine and then their engine quietly stops and won't restart.

I think 986's have a panel near the exhaust that works loose and nestles up to the exhaust. Then when your car is warming up and the exhaust is shaking a bit, the panel rattles. Good chance this is what you're hearing. Brumos would be able to diagnos this issue but they can't tell you anything about the shape of your IMS without tearing into your engine.

It's good that you're having the IMS upgrade done, but relax and enjoy your Box until then.

[JFP in PA]

Some, but very few, M96’s do make peculiar sounds when the IMS is on the way out, but more often the only sound you hear is dollars leaving your wallet.

Pull your oil, filter and the sump cover; if you find granular debris that exhibits a metallic sheen or can be picked up by a magnet, it is definitely the IMS on the way out…………

[Adam]

Yeah, Huskers explantion is much more probable and likely btw. If I was a new member searching this board I'd be inclined to think that 99.9% of all Boxster problems are IMS related. IMS hysteria is rampant. It makes such an easy scapegoat.

[J'sboxie]

Adam, I thought it was the dreaded "white smoke of death"???

lol

[Adam]

Originally Posted by J'sboxie

Adam, I thought it was the dreaded "white smoke of death"???

lol

Yeah, if you have the death smoke and rattle at the same time then she's a lost cause and you might as well just put the old girl down and take her down to the scrapyard. lol....yeah don't mind me I'm just feeling kinda awnry today.

[mikefocke]

JFP from Pa sees hundreds of Porsches a year (he runs a repair shop).

I've been following his postings for years, I see his success rate. I see how he generally is in agreement with other folks known to be knowledgeable (as opposed to those who just post).

So I think I know whose advice I'd value...

[Adam]

Yeah, all kidding aside Jeff and Jake are the two biggest authorities on the M96 engine on this board. I'd listen to them.

[jcb986]

Could be simple...rattle coming from the cats. Usually a IMS failure rattle does not go away.