Buying used Boxster S - IMS flange replaced but not IMS bearing?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Am I reading this correctly: this car went in for a new clutch early in 2012, when the LNE dual row bearing was already available for some time (or at least a less expensive non-LNE replacement) and this shop Jim Ellis had everything apart and kept the original IMSB in? If so, I don't get that. What serviceable bearing, tied to a make or break event, lasts forever?

While the dealers had a "campaign" going to replace the early design flange covers which were leaking, for the most part (unless they were one of the more renegade dealers), they did not touch the bearing itself.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

While the dealers had a "campaign" going to replace the early design flange covers which were leaking, for the most part (unless they were one of the more renegade dealers), they did not touch the bearing itself.

Boy would I love to see how many of these ended up going down anyway.
Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

While the dealers had a "campaign" going to replace the early design flange covers which were leaking, for the most part (unless they were one of the more renegade dealers), they did not touch the bearing itself.

Because at that time we had yet to release the IMSR procedure. Dealers and everyone else said that what we do routinely today in regard to IMSR procedures were impossible;e to do. The dual row bearing was believed to be impossible to remove, and dealerships were among the last to finally "cave" and admit that the bearing was serviceable with our procedure and tooling.

We were performing the "impossible" 3 years before it was ever released. As we say "The difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little longer".

I wouldn't say completely symptomless. Thats where blackstone comes in.

Not entirely correct. Symptoms are generally defined as things that present themselves without being sought out. A UOA is an a

If particles are greater than 30 micron, a particulate test is required to find them and thats only offered by Caterpillar (hardly anyone knows the difference and UOA companies won't ever mention a particulate tests). I have seen engines with failing IMSB pass a UOA less than 800 miles before they completely failed. UOA is a very poor method of identifying IMSB issues, and always has been. A visual inspection of oil sumps and filter housings is more effective than UOA in my direct experience. That said, I have a ledger with over 600 UOA inside it on my desk and we carry out 12-15 samples per week developing lubricants and evaluating our engines.

Too many Oil Analysts believe in Unicorns and Rainbows, they positively reassure everyone and just say "lets watch this closer and maybe shorten the service interval"… In other words they are saying "we really don't know a damn thing about the materials that comprise your engine, but if it doesn't blow up before the next oil service you should send us another sample".