Poll:IMS related engine failure

[dennis]

Very true- and nowadays everything seems to be a depreciating asset

[boxster_s_boy_34]

I had an IMS bearing failure a little while back but was able to catch it early enough to simply replace the bearing. With a lot of help from Don at EBS and a little mechanical know how I re-timed my cams myself. It seems to be a lot easier to re-time a 3 chain engine versus a five chain, but as far as the removal of all 3 timing chain tensioners (not counting the one inside each valve cover) I was only able to remove 2 on the bottom of the engine. I believe that the 3rd sits snuggly under the A/C compressor from the pictures of an engine that Don had sent to me. I did all that I could short of depressurize the entire system to get to it before I gave up. I have however had my exhaust cam jump timing on me and I was wondering if anyone knew where I might have gone wrong.

[porsche666]

I need a way to change my answer. I voted no in the poll last year, but my 2004 Special Edition suffered an IMS failure with 20k miles on it this month.

It looks like a scary ratio of the 2004 SE's have had issues.....not good.

Ever consider your modifcations to your Boxster may have contributed to your failure?

[mts]

Originally Posted by porsche666

I need a way to change my answer. I voted no in the poll last year, but my 2004 Special Edition suffered an IMS failure with 20k miles on it this month.

It looks like a scary ratio of the 2004 SE's have had issues.....not good.

Ever consider your modifcations to your Boxster may have contributed to your failure?

What modifications? The only non-factory modification I have is secondary cat-bypass pipes. If you are suggesting cat bypass pipes would be a contributing factor toward an IMS failure I'd say you need to put down the crack pipe. It's bad for your health.

[porsche666]

"What modifications? The only non-factory modification I have is secondary cat-bypass pipes. If you are suggesting cat bypass pipes would be a contributing factor toward an IMS failure I'd say you need to put down the crack pipe. It's bad for your health. "

Now I know why you suffered an IMS failure - cause you are a jerk!!!

[Brucelee]

Behave please, both of you.

[Brew city]

I have a 2003, 20100 miles and just did the LN Engineering install. The old IMS bearing was fine, showing no signs of wear. I did the install as a preventative measure.
Good day...

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by Brew city

I have a 2003, 20100 miles and just did the LN Engineering install. The old IMS bearing was fine, showing no signs of wear. I did the install as a preventative measure.
Good day...

I have yet to see an extracted bearing that did not have some signs of wear after being disassembled and reviewed.. How deep did you look prior to coming to this conclusion?

[mts]

Originally Posted by mts

What modifications? The only non-factory modification I have is secondary cat-bypass pipes. If you are suggesting cat bypass pipes would be a contributing factor toward an IMS failure I'd say you need to put down the crack pipe. It's bad for your health.

I thought the fact that I put a smiley face on my original comment would ensure folks knew it was a joke. I guess porsche666 didn't see it that way. I'd hate to think my IMS failed because I'm a jerk.......we'll need to add that one to the pile though along with the oil used, how hard the car was driven, how many miles it has, etc. Beyond a somewhat bad design with a weak sealed bearing by Porsche I supposed it's as good a theory as anything else.

[porsche666]

I have a 140,000 miles and never had a problem. It's all about Karma.

[Brucelee]

Having read thousands of posts on the IMS and having sold any number of Boxsters over the years, my opinion is this:

Clearly Porsche had (or has) a design issue that they did not want to confront.

Sadly, many buyers have had to contend with the consequences of that decision.

Hey, I could be wrong.

[mts]

Originally Posted by porsche666

I have a 140,000 miles and never had a problem. It's all about Karma.

Wow, all these people that have had IMS failures simply have bad Karma. Porsche will be so relieved to know that the design of the bearing had nothing to do with it. This should save Porsche a ton of $$ on warranty and goodwill repairs!

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by porsche666

I have a 140,000 miles and never had a problem. It's all about Karma.

Karma, huh? Your other posts certainly seem to ignore it:




" just bought my 1st 986, I am 70 Years old. It is stick shift. Hate it that the steering wheel does not tilt; makes it very hard to get leg (knee) under steering wheel and foot past clutch when getting into the car. Any suggestions?"

porsche666's response:

"Yes..... trade it in on a Cadillac. They have more room for a wheelchair."

Replying to jhandy's question regarding his car dying on the road:

"Aren't you a surgeon in Texas? Surely you can afford to buy a new car?"'t

porsche666's response at the top of this page:

"Now I know why you suffered an IMS failure - cause you are a jerk!!!"



Nice Karma ratio for only 8 posts.

[danyl55]

Originally Posted by mts

I thought the fact that I put a smiley face on my original comment would ensure folks knew it was a joke. I guess porsche666 didn't see it that way. I'd hate to think my IMS failed because I'm a jerk.......we'll need to add that one to the pile though along with the oil used, how hard the car was driven, how many miles it has, etc. Beyond a somewhat bad design with a weak sealed bearing by Porsche I supposed it's as good a theory as anything else.

thanks for the explain--I thought the failure only happened to people who couldn't afford the "fix"-

[Tony W]

I have a 2003 Boxster S with 148,000 Kilometers on the clock. It is my daily drive approx 70 Kilometers Monday to Friday. No sign of any unusual noises or oil leaks (and I do listen for them). I plan to replace the IMS Bearing & RMS at 160,000 Kilometers using the ceramic after market bearing as a precaution.
Have had to replace the water pump twice, the bearings on the serpantine belt tensioner & idler wheels. The air oil separator was embarrassing when it let go and I have replaced the clutch pressure plate & driven plate. Oh and the alternatior neeeded a rebuild as well.
I change the oil and filter every 10,000 Kilometers often wonder if the reason that some experience failures is cold climate effects on oil viscosity at startup. I live in a temperate climate where the temperature never gets near freezing.
I look forward to getting into the car every day & do not intend to ever sell it. It is a modern day classic.

[mrjr1000]

2000 S with 63K miles. Fifth owner. Owned for year and half. Put roughly 10K of those miles on myself.

No major problems. One MAF replacement and routine maintenance.

Drivers side window does not go down the desired distance when opening door but have learned to finish the job by hand.

Finish is still great. Interior leather shows small sign of wear on drivers bolster.

Drives great. Handles superbly. Still plenty of power. Clutch firm.

So firm No from me.

[Boxster Dave]

2004 Boxster, tiptronic, 20,000 miles. No failure!

[dennis]

Do we have model year for sure, where the IMS has been addressed? Is it safe to say '10 and up are immune? I would seriously consider buying a newer one in a few yr is that is the case

[mallai]

Originally Posted by porsche666

I need a way to change my answer. I voted no in the poll last year, but my 2004 Special Edition suffered an IMS failure with 20k miles on it this month.

It looks like a scary ratio of the 2004 SE's have had issues.....not good.

Ever consider your modifcations to your Boxster may have contributed to your failure?

After reading through this forum and planning to look at a 2004 S 550 SE in a few days, I'm thinking of scrapping buying a Boxster altogether..I've been elated for several weeks since making the decision to buy one but now totally disheartened..

[mts]

Originally Posted by mallai

After reading through this forum and planning to look at a 2004 S 550 SE in a few days, I'm thinking of scrapping buying a Boxster altogether..I've been elated for several weeks since making the decision to buy one but now totally disheartened..

Get the IMS updated and sleep like a baby. It's one heck of a car once that is fixed. I have a friend selling a 550 that has already had the LN Engineering IMS upgrade done. Solid car. PM me if you have any interest and I will get you the contact information.