ims bearing panic

[seningen]

Originally Posted by broken2bfree

Trusted Mechanic told me it was bearing material for sure.

Hmmm -- I would think that bearing material would be ferrous.

What about aluminum shavings -- but that could be coming from anywhere in
an M96 engine. Was there any noise from the timing chains. I could
see where there maybe a tensioner paddle that has worn through the plastic
and is now etching some aluminum.

I would recommend getting it analyzed and then you will at least a know what your dealing with.

Mike

[shadrach74]

Babbitt is primarily tin (I believe) and is non ferrous. It is used in sleeve bearings, not ball bearings. If you have babbitt material in your, oil the source is likely a rod or main bearing...The IMS is a ball bearing.

[broken2bfree]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Babbitt is primarily tin (I believe) and is non ferrous. It is used in sleeve bearings, not ball bearings. If you have babbitt material in your, oil the source is likely a rod or main bearing...The IMS is a ball bearing.

I hope its not a rod bearing.

[broken2bfree]

If I have to pull this engine, it will quickly become for sell. I wouldn't spend my hard earned dollars on rebuilding a motor I want to replace anyway. I think for me that money is better spent on an hv warp 11.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by broken2bfree

If I have to pull this engine, it will quickly become for sell. I wouldn't spend my hard earned dollars on rebuilding a motor I want to replace anyway. I think for me that money is better spent on an hv warp 11.

Well I got into M96 engines because I was going to build an electric boxster :-)

silicone in the sump is not unusual.

is the pieces hard or soft? hard brownish, dark brownish is usually an indicator
of the tensioner paddles.

It's not likely your waterpump as it would have to find a way to your oil without turning into a milkshake :-)

There's a chance it could be a lifter that's managed to chew up the lifter carrier (sorry I'm not really a motor head -- so I don't know the terminology)

the lifters sit in a tray that almost looks like an egg carton.

you can always ping me at mike@lonestarrpm.com
I've got a little EV knowledge as well as M96 experience,
I'm also in the Texas hood -- down in Austin

Mike

[broken2bfree]

Well because I need this motor to run reliably for another 24k miles or the next 2 years...I am going to drop the engine and go after the tensioner. I just hope I dont find anything else when I get into it. I found the guide to tensioner and cam replacement with engine in the car, but just don't see myself working in that tight of space. I plan to replace the ims bearing as well. new plugs and recommended replacements of hoses and seals. hopefully I will have it back on the road before winter. Thanks for all your input.

[broken2bfree]

OK. Started work on engine today by pulling camshaft plugs and locking crank at TDC for bank 2, this is where I heard a slight ticking. As I locked at TDC I noticed aluminum shavings all over the front of the motor. This is exactly what I had in my oil filter. WTH! Has anyone seen this before? Something not rite about this... I do know the lot where I purchased the boxster replaced AC compressor, but cant see how the 2 are tied together.

[BYprodriver]

If the IMS to crank chain wore thru the wear pad of the aluminum tensioning paddle shown on the right side in this pic of a 2000 Box engine crank housing, it will make shavings like that until it breaks in half. If you remove the chain tensioner right beside the oil filter you can get a peak at the paddle & Maybe see if it is damaged. The chain & wear pad are on the backside, so it could be excessively worn, & you can't see it thru the hole. When you remove the oil sump plate you will probably see more shavings there.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

If the IMS to crank chain wore thru the wear pad of the aluminum tensioning paddle shown on the right side in this pic of a 2000 Box engine crank housing, it will make shavings like that until it breaks in half. If you remove the chain tensioner right beside the oil filter you can get a peak at the paddle & Maybe see if it is damaged. The chain & wear pad are on the backside, so it could be excessively worn, & you can't see it thru the hole. When you remove the oil sump plate you will probably see more shavings there.

This is what I was referring to.

You can fit a boroscope through the hole and inspect it as well. We did this once --
found one of the chains (of two) had broken. We saved the engine - but it still had to be torn down and put back together with a new paddle and chain assembly.
The chain broke because it was wearing a groove in the paddle.

That's a lot of shavings -- and my gut says that you would be down to some material
in the bearings that was ferrous (isn't there copper in most bearings -- I know there is on the 944)

Mike

[broken2bfree]

There was a slight tick in the area of cylinders 4 and 5 that I thought might just be injectors. It was faint.

[Jake Raby]

Pull the sump plate and post pics. I have seen this one before.

Email me the pics to jake@flat6innovations.com.com as well since I am seldom on these forums these days.

[broken2bfree]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Pull the sump plate and post pics. I have seen this one before.

Email me the pics to jake@flat6innovations.com.com as well since I am seldom on these forums these days.

Will do Jake, and I appreciate you willingness to have a look at it.

[broken2bfree]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Pull the sump plate and post pics. I have seen this one before.

Email me the pics to jake@flat6innovations.com.com as well since I am seldom on these forums these days.

Here you go Jake.
pics of sump cover. Some bits of trash in center. Then a close up of the trash. again nothing magnetic

[broken2bfree]

nothing that will stick to a magnet