IMS Replacement... The Jager Saga

[Jager]

Originally Posted by thstone

Super post! Really enjoyed it. Excellent job!

Now, the real question is why this bearing was generally ok (not perfect but still working fine) after 210,000 miles when others fail at 1/10th of that mileage?

Thanks thstone

I would like to go back to the photo I took of inside the IMS. Per Porsche’s design of a sealed IMS bearing, oil inside the IMS is not per design correct? I wonder what Porsche’s forecast was on IMS bearing life if it maintained the grease seal?

I drive my car every day to/from work, and short trips on the weekends, averaging somewhere between 60 to 70 miles a day. With this amount of driving I’m sure my IMS bearing was maintaining a coat of motor oil keeping me off the IMS failure list.

Jager

[Dragonwind]

Originally Posted by Jager

Thanks thstone

I would like to go back to the photo I took of inside the IMS. Per Porsche’s design of a sealed IMS bearing, oil inside the IMS is not per design correct? I wonder what Porsche’s forecast was on IMS bearing life if it maintained the grease seal?

I drive my car every day to/from work, and short trips on the weekends, averaging somewhere between 60 to 70 miles a day. With this amount of driving I’m sure my IMS bearing was maintaining a coat of motor oil keeping me off the IMS failure list.

Jager

This is in line with what Jake as said that the more you drive it (and harder) the better off it is. From the looks of the picture your failed seal allowed enough oil to circulate through to allow some lubrication and save your engine. Hats off to you for driving your car and not just looking at it!

Chris

[boberocket]

I am new to the 986 forums and somewhat of a new Porsche owner. I found out after I purchased my 2000 Boxster S w/Tiptronic in the summer of 2015 that these engines had an IMS 'time bomb' in them. It has made me uncomfortable every since. I am a home mechanic and understand the concepts of most anything automobile related however I would like to ask for the opinions of those well experienced and/or trained in the automotive repair industry.

I have captured an image of my camshaft variance using the Durametric software and shared it with this thread. It is my hope that someone can help me understand what these numbers mean and if there is an IMS concern here. I am thankful for everyone's opinion.

The snapshot indicates the readings with the engine at an idle. I did rev the engine high a few times while logging and the numbers did not change for either camshaft more than 1/100th of a value. What I mean is the 8.47 value may have moved to 8.48 and the 7.59 value may have moved to 7.6. What do these values tell me about my camshaft tensioners and my IMS bearing?

Thank you

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by boberocket

I am new to the 986 forums and somewhat of a new Porsche owner. I found out after I purchased my 2000 Boxster S w/Tiptronic in the summer of 2015 that these engines had an IMS 'time bomb' in them. It has made me uncomfortable every since. I am a home mechanic and understand the concepts of most anything automobile related however I would like to ask for the opinions of those well experienced and/or trained in the automotive repair industry.

I have captured an image of my camshaft variance using the Durametric software and shared it with this thread. It is my hope that someone can help me understand what these numbers mean and if there is an IMS concern here. I am thankful for everyone's opinion.

The snapshot indicates the readings with the engine at an idle. I did rev the engine high a few times while logging and the numbers did not change for either camshaft more than 1/100th of a value. What I mean is the 8.47 value may have moved to 8.48 and the 7.59 value may have moved to 7.6. What do these values tell me about my camshaft tensioners and my IMS bearing?

Thank you

Steady cam deviation values are an indication that that the IMS is still healthy; but as the specs for this value are +/- 6 degrees, yours are out of spec, most likely due to severely worn chain pads that need to be replaced.

[boberocket]

Thank you for the quick response JFP in PA. I will research on this site as well as Pelican Parts for the procedure to replace them.

[356Guy]

How reliable is checking cam timing in determining the IMS bearing condition? Do any shops do this during an inspection or only upon request? I'll be getting my new Boxster inspected in the next few months (if I ever find the right car) so its an interesting tool. I would expect that the wear in the bearing would have to be severe to detect a cam timing issues.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 356Guy

How reliable is checking cam timing in determining the IMS bearing condition? Do any shops do this during an inspection or only upon request? I'll be getting my new Boxster inspected in the next few months (if I ever find the right car) so its an interesting tool. I would expect that the wear in the bearing would have to be severe to detect a cam timing issues.

Minimally useful, as the bearing would have to already be in dire trouble before excessive play causes the deviation values to start jumping around. We have seen it a few times, and unfortunately is a lot like trying to catch a photo of a plane crashing; by the time you see it, it is already too late. On the cars we saw it happen, pulling the sump showed tons of metal already circulating in the oil, and engine's that either needed a full rebuild or replacement.

As for doing during a PPI; yes, we do it on everyone we do.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by boberocket

I have captured an image of my camshaft variance using the Durametric software

Make sure the engine is hot before taking these readings.