Poll:IMS related engine failure

[NASA986S]

Ok guys, add me to the pot! 01 S with 47,000Miles. Inspecting the filter after a nasa event at road atl and gold everywhere. This car was meticulously maintained by the previous owner by the dealer and I have records of the RMS already being replaced twice. Why wouldn't the dealer replace the IMS while in there if they know it's such a weak link!! Now I just have to decide what you all have had to...DIY or no. I guess I'm jumping the gun a bit in assuming the IMS but.... Is the debris from an IMS usually copper/bronze color? Am I chewing away at valve guides instead?

thanks,

Chris

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by NASA986S

Ok guys, add me to the pot! 01 S with 47,000Miles. Inspecting the filter after a nasa event at road atl and gold everywhere. This car was meticulously maintained by the previous owner by the dealer and I have records of the RMS already being replaced twice. Why wouldn't the dealer replace the IMS while in there if they know it's such a weak link!! Now I just have to decide what you all have had to...DIY or no. I guess I'm jumping the gun a bit in assuming the IMS but.... Is the debris from an IMS usually copper/bronze color? Am I chewing away at valve guides instead?

thanks,

Chris

The only copper in these engines comes from the main and rod bearings.. Road Atlanta is one of the hardest tracks for these engines. The IMS bearing is comprised only of ferrous material, none of which is brass or bronze or copper in color. We see a ton of track related failures and I'd almost bet that you have main and rod bearings worn into their copper layer. If you schedule a time to come by I can put some of the parts in your hand that have similar failures. Let me guess, you were running Mobil 1 on the track?
I sent you a PM.

[NASA986S]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

The only copper in these engines comes from the main and rod bearings.. Road Atlanta is one of the hardest tracks for these engines. The IMS bearing is comprised only of ferrous material, none of which is brass or bronze or copper in color. We see a ton of track related failures and I'd almost bet that you have main and rod bearings worn into their copper layer. If you schedule a time to come by I can put some of the parts in your hand that have similar failures. Let me guess, you were running Mobil 1 on the track?
I sent you a PM.

That's not what I wanted to hear (welcome to Porsches, right?)! I didn't think there were any gold color parts in the IMS...thanks Jake.

For the other members...yes Mobile 1 on the track. I missed the post about not using it on the track.

[Marburk]

Please add me to the survey........Purchased my 2003 Boxster 2.7L Tiptronic with 6400 miles in 2007......the current mleage is 19600. No RMS leak or IMS failure to date - The underside of the engine/trans area is bone dry and shows no signs of previous leaks/oil seepage. Routine oil changes at 5000 mile intervals or every 12 monthe regardless of mileage.

I am seriously considering an IMS retrofit from LN engineering preemptively as others have done. I will be getting a quote from Hergesheimer Motorsports in Lake Forest, CA next week. Will let you know what I find out.

[Manfred]

I'm surprised that Jake has not had more to say about oil . . . I regard him to be the ultimate authority on this issue.
A useful correlation would be a comparison between change intervals and failures and a second would be a correlation between oils used (viscosity and brand) and failures. I think that Porsche has contributed heavily to the scope of this problem with both the specification of 0w oil and very long intervals. My 2000 S manual specifies 10w40 ----- before the 0w fad and I suspect that much of the preproduction experience with these engines used similar oil. I also think that high ZDDP content is wise if original bearings are still in use.

[gazrawly]

2002 boxster S 986. FSH, 79,000miles. I have owned the car for around 7 months and have covered arouynd 2,500miles in it.

***Touch Wood*** No sign of IMS failure and nothing in the history about it.

*Clutch/dual mass flywheel/RMS replaced at 25,000miles in 2007*

Just changed engine oil and filter, no suspect particles found in the filter (after cutting it apart with a saw and laying it out on some paper). Had plenty of trouble with other aspects of the car though! MAF sensor, rear wheel bearing, front lower arm ball joint, rear fork control arms. The starter motor squeals but only rarely. Lovely car to drive, especially with the roof down. handling is sensational!

[shadrach74]

2002 986 S 52K on the clock. IMSB retrofit installed last week. I was told the old bearing looked fine, but I will reserve judgment until I see it.

Update: After close inspection it appears the the stock single row IMSB in my 02 S was absolutely perfect at 52K.

[chuck reed]

Add another one to the 'yes' list. '02 Boxster S with 65k miles on it experienced IMS bearing failure. Bearing 'melted' onto bearing race and cannot be removed with out pulling engine and splitting case. Specialty Porsche shop tells me I was the 3rd owner today that reported the failure. He says it has become a rampant problem for this engine series.

I am surprised no one has filed a class action suit given the obvious design defect of this engine series. Porsche is negligent not standing behind this issue.