Getting up there in miles, IMS becoming a problem?

[Nutzotin]

For starters;
car has ~82,000 miles
AOS has been replaced
No check engine lights

Currently I'm sitting at the point where 80k miles has gotten to the car, and maintenance items are going to need doing soon. I've been noticing that the car sounds like it's been cammed at idle, and a faint ticking sound can be heard similar to valve ticking in older cars. After a lot of overthinking I took a camera snake and looked at the undercarriage for any oil leaks because of the IMS. First off, is replacing the IMS urgent as of now? and If not, when should I start worrying about it?

Below are the photos of the undercarriage, specifically of the transmission-engine area

[Nutzotin]

Now that I'm listening for it, that ticking sound is a lot bigger than I thought. I tried to run it through it's paces to warm it up, but the ticking sound was still there. With down time over thanksgiving break it would be great to know what to work on.

[Newsguy]

Year? That could make a big difference.
At that mileage, your tensioner wear pads are probably done. Do you have a means to check you cam deviation.
Do you check your filter at oil changes for debris?

[DWBOX2000]

My friends 99 stick has 120k on it and the cam deviation recently went was at 4 and 5.
My 99 with 99k tip with 95k has 2 and 3.
Not sure mileage is a good indicator of pad wear.
Now my 02 S with 68k has 4 and 8 so not sure what makes sense.

[Rob175]

My 1998 is fine at 102,000 miles......no need for me to touch the IMS. DRIVE ON........

[Newsguy]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

My friends 99 stick has 120k on it and the cam deviation recently went was at 4 and 5.
My 99 with 99k tip with 95k has 2 and 3.
Not sure mileage is a good indicator of pad wear.
Now my 02 S with 68k has 4 and 8 so not sure what makes sense.

I’ve torn down two 3.2s, one of 106,000 and one unknown. Both had wear pads about to disintegrate. So at that mileage I would be more concerned about this than the IMSB.

[DWBOX2000]

Originally Posted by Newsguy

I’ve torn down two 3.2s, one of 106,000 and one unknown. Both had wear pads about to disintegrate. So at that mileage I would be more concerned about this than the IMSB.

Time for my next oil change. I guess I’ll check the filter and see what’s going on. It was spotless 2k ago. The more I read and watch, the less I’m concerned. Thanks.

[mikefocke]

An oil leak in that area would be from the RMS (Rear Main Seal) most probably and you'd do both the IMS and RMS at the same time because uncliping the trans is 1/3 the effort of doing the IMS only. Use the updated RMS.

Examine the oil filter and any debris there should tell you your priorities.

You don't say what year your car is and that matters.

[Nutzotin]

My car is a 2002 3.2L, and is a manual. from what y'all are suggesting I will do an oil change and check for anything in the oil, and as I hit 80K I'll see how the transmission oil looks as well