Poll: RMS and Engine problem questionaire

[LuvTheBoxsterS]

Been reading a lot about IMS issues for several months. Decided to move ahead and have it done. Also had a new clutch, RMS, water pump, and 160 stat. Picked up the car yesterday and glad I spent the $4k. The IMS may have lasted another 10k but the shop doubted it would. Even an non mechanic like me saw the issue with the bearing.

For those of you who are debating whether to move forward, just do it.

Most parts were from LN Engineering.


2004 Boxster S 44K
Fabspeed Maxflo Muffs, BMC air filter, EXU upgrade

[Frank M]

Originally Posted by LuvTheBoxsterS

Picked up the car yesterday and glad I spent the $4k. The IMS may have lasted another 10k but the shop doubted it would. Even an non mechanic like me saw the issue with the bearing.

For those of you who are debating whether to move forward, just do it.

it would be great if those that have found questionable bearings could post pics of it..
FM

[Marburk]

Purchased 2003 Boxster 2.7L Tiptronic with 6400 miles as Porsche CPO from Newport Porsche in 2007. I am the second owner and the current mleage is 19600 miles. 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. So far, so good! Routine oil changes at 5000 mile intervals or every 12 monthe regardless of mileage. Spirited driving style after bringing engine up to operating temps as a precaution.

I am, however, 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.

[Manfred]

I have a 2000 S with 38K mi. that has never leaked. It uses none of the 10w40 specified in the owners manual between changes. It's getting a prophylactic LN Engineering IMS Kit next week with water pump, cool thermostat and belt, and Air/Oil separator. Again it would be interesting to know how many seal failures are with 0w and 5w oil usage and how many bearing failures occurred with those oils and/or change intervals over 5000 mi. Yes, it's a weak bearing, but if you're going to gamble by continuing with it, use more viscosity in conjunction with higher (older) ZDDP content. All of the "exotic" oils contain higher levels.
The ZDDP won't trash your cats if you are burning very little oil.

[Tmar04]

Originally Posted by Marburk

Purchased 2003 Boxster 2.7L Tiptronic with 6400 miles as Porsche CPO from Newport Porsche in 2007. I am the second owner and the current mleage is 19600 miles. 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. So far, so good! Routine oil changes at 5000 mile intervals or every 12 monthe regardless of mileage. Spirited driving style after bringing engine up to operating temps as a precaution.

I am, however, 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.

Why do these ‘Porsche mechanics ‘ think their time is worth 125-150 per hour?? After all, it is all wrenching!! Any good mechanic , with proper tools and instructions should be able to replace IMS bearing, clutch, water pump, etc

[maytag]

Originally Posted by Tmar04

Why do these ‘Porsche mechanics ‘ think their time is worth 125-150 per hour?? After all, it is all wrenching!! Any good mechanic , with proper tools and instructions should be able to replace IMS bearing, clutch, water pump, etc

They don't.
That mechanic isn't making much more than any other ASE certified mechanic. But remember, when you pay that rate, you're paying also for the porsche- specific training these guys were required to attend. You're paying for the porsche tools and diagnostic equipment. And perhaps the largest chunk: you're paying for the building you're standing in when you do it. That building costs substantially more than a Chevy building. (I build them, so I can expound on that, if you don't believe me). Ask yourself if you'd take your car to a mechanic who didn't have all of those things I just mentioned? If you're answer is yes, then you are quite free to do so! Hahaha. ;-)
Seriously: if you feel that an RMS requires no specific training, or tools, or a fancy building, then take it to tunex....
Me? I do all my own wrenching. But if I ever came across something so daunting that I felt I needed to take it to someone, it'd most certainly be the porsche certified guys. Not some guy just like me.


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[Geof3]

Originally Posted by Tmar04

Why do these ‘Porsche mechanics ‘ think their time is worth 125-150 per hour?? After all, it is all wrenching!! Any good mechanic , with proper tools and instructions should be able to replace IMS bearing, clutch, water pump, etc

Our Jeep dealer charges 110.00 an hour, so the P-Car dealer labor costs aren’t too far off. Join PCA, you get a discount at dealerships, maybe even mom/pop shops if you ask. Evens the field a little.

And I agree 100% with Maytag on this one...

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Tmar04

Why do these ‘Porsche mechanics ‘ think their time is worth 125-150 per hour?? After all, it is all wrenching!! Any good mechanic , with proper tools and instructions should be able to replace IMS bearing, clutch, water pump, etc

Local Nissan and Honda dealers are getting $125-140 per hour to work on your Sentra or Civic; so why wouldn’t a decent Porsche mechanic (dealer or independent) charge $125-150 per? Considering the required knowledge and specialized tooling these cars require, that rate is quite reasonable.

If you don’t want to pay the going rate, try setting yourself up with everything necessary and do it yourself; or trade the car in for a Toyota.......

[Frank M]

There is always a learning curve on different tasks. I prefer to go to a specialist if I were going to have a delicate surgery, true maybe the Veterinarian could do it.

The specialization of a Porsche etc. shop have seen a lot and done a lot on the specific brand.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

If you don’t want to pay the going rate, try setting yourself up with everything necessary and do it yourself;...... .

Hahaha.... BINGO! Right on, JFP.

I love telling people this in my business.

"Oh, you think an electrician should cost only $45/hr? Ok.... i'll pay YOU $45/hr to do it. But first: here's where you can sign up for the 4 years of trade school. Oh, and here's the tool list you'll need. You'll need a truck to put your tools and materials in. Oh, and remember that you'll need to do your continuing education courses each year to keep your license current. Then there's the cost of health insurance, the 401k match, the vacation time, etc. Oh, and state and federal taxes, liability insurance,..... etc "



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[cnavarro]

Originally Posted by maytag

Hahaha.... BINGO! Right on, JFP.

I love telling people this in my business.

"Oh, you think an electrician should cost only $45/hr? Ok.... i'll pay YOU $45/hr to do it. But first: here's where you can sign up for the 4 years of trade school. Oh, and here's the tool list you'll need. You'll need a truck to put your tools and materials in. Oh, and remember that you'll need to do your continuing education courses each year to keep your license current. Then there's the cost of health insurance, the 401k match, the vacation time, etc. Oh, and state and federal taxes, liability insurance,..... etc "



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No different than those saying we overcharge for the parts we manufacture. Shops need to make their margin as do the wholesalers. Most shops make more money on parts than on labor and many shops have told me they operate on less than 10% margin. That's why we've seen so many shops fold up in the last few years.

I have a shop as well and overhead for that side of the business is in the $80-85/hr. That's the bare minimum an hour I have to charge to keep the lights on. Once the new Governor passes additional taxes in IL, health insurance goes up (again), I'm sure that number will rise. That doesn't take into consideration actually making money.

Shops in the Chicagoland area charge upwards of $200 an hour.

[itsnotanova]

Originally Posted by Tmar04

Why do these ‘Porsche mechanics ‘ think their time is worth 125-150 per hour?? After all, it is all wrenching!! Any good mechanic , with proper tools and instructions should be able to replace IMS bearing, clutch, water pump, etc

This picture was sent to me by a guy with that same opinion. It was taken at the "shop" where it was getting the transmission fixed from the previous work done to it by another shop. The previous shop had somehow broken the transmission case. The new shop damaged the engine while replacing the transmission and the owner sent me this picture to see if I wanted to buy the car. You get what you pay for