IMS Bearings - Dorkiphus.net

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Old 08-16-2019, 09:17 AM
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Default IMS Bearings

Sorry if this has been beat to death, I admittedly have not done a search in Dorki or other boards, need to start doing that, but wanted to ask from the local crowd for the collective wisdom. I'm more a lurker, but read Dorki often.

I'm considering adding a 911 Convertible to the stable. I'm familiar with the IMS bearing issue, particularly with the 2000-2005 cars, but that you can R&R a new bearing, and that the 2006-2008 motors have a different bearing mount, but is cast into the engine and unserviceable, but Porsche recommends removing an oil seal.

I know the issue is focused mainly on the Boxter/Cayman, but am not as certain with the 911 chassis. I'm looking for 2005 and newer cars, and have read that the IMS bearing is unserviceable, but that you can remove the bearing seal to allow oil to lubricate the bearing. I'm assuming this is a major Is the IMS issue as bad with the 911's as it was with the Boxter? I havent looked at many cars seriously, but I see little mention of this with the cars I have looked at, and my guess is these cars are being traded in unresolved before the problem develops. Is it best to steer clear of pre 2009 cars?

I'm keeping my 912E, but wanting a newer P car daily driver now that my truck is paid off, and ideally would love a Targa or glass sunroof model or convertible for the extra fun factor, though the right Coupe wouldn't be out of the question.
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Old 08-16-2019, 09:32 AM
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You gotta roll the dice. You get a discount with pre 09 and according to the interwebs the percentage impacted is low. My $$, 09+. Or, find a nice one, hope for the best and drive the snot out of it.. Lots of folks here and and close have gone through this, eyes open.

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Old 08-16-2019, 10:30 AM
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LNEngineering/Jake Raby have a great website to support their modifications for the IMS. http://theimssolution.com/

IIRC, the 986/996 (M96) engines had somewhere near a 10% failure rate as brought up in the class action suit against Porsche. The 987.1/997.1 (M97 / Pre 2009) engines had a smaller rate (1%). The risk as you mentioned with the later engines is 1) you have to split the case to use the aftermarket fix) or 2) know that its a paperweight when it does go.

The ease of replacement revolves around single row or dual row intermediate shafts. The 06 cars seem to have come with both motors.. as Porsche was using up what they had first.

oddly, there was a 997.1 just sold on the board that had a remanufactured motor and I have 2 friends who also suffered failures on their 997.1

The 2005 and early 06 cars seem to be the higher failure rate. 07+ are a little better.. But as Chris mentioned, its a roll of the dice. The interwebs report that it seems to affect low mileage cars that followed the factories long oil change intervals more than cars that get driven a lot. Also note, that it seems many of the early cars (996 for instance) that get to 100K miles, start having some other issues crop up like timing chain guides that need replacement (which seems to me, means a motor drop) The later cars (not sure if .1 or .2 cars) also seem to have in the press lately, concerns about cylinder bore scoring.

And while the engines in the TT and GT3 are more robust, values of those cars sit well above regular 996/7 cars. It seems 996TT prices have recovered a bit, putting them on par with 997.2 cars which may be beyond your budget.
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Last edited by racer; 08-16-2019 at 10:41 AM.
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Old 08-16-2019, 05:33 PM
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Just one minor correction: the M97 (2005-2008) motors do not have the IMS bearings "cast" into the engine. It is simply that the bearing itself is larger than the opening where the mount and seal go, so you can't replace the bearing without splitting the case. The bearing was installed with the rest of the IMS when the engine was assembled.

Generally, the harder the car has been driven, the less likely the IMS bearing will fail. It is usually the low-mileage garage queens that have the highest risk of failure.

Also, the Boxsters didn't get the M97 engines until the 2007 model year. They still had the M96 engines in '05 and '06, despite being 987 models.
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Old 08-16-2019, 06:11 PM
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Quote:
the bearing itself is larger than the opening where the mount and seal go, so you can't replace the bearing without splitting the case
I saw a 'fix' recently where you mount a fixture and drill it out, making the case opening big enough to extract the bearing. Quite a commitment.
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Old 08-16-2019, 06:27 PM
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I know of many IMS retrofits that have failed so don't assume you'll not have a problem with a car that's been 'fixed'.
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Old 08-16-2019, 08:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vranko View Post
I know of many IMS retrofits that have failed so don't assume you'll not have a problem with a car that's been 'fixed'.
And my 996.1 had an IMSB that was in good condition at 106K miles when changed last year with the clutch.
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Old 08-28-2019, 04:13 PM
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if you are serious a PPI is an absolute must. I have a 07 CS with 98K and a VERY good oil analysis from Blackstone I do at every oil change. IMS has been literally beat to death, I wasted 4k for an extended warranty that was over at 60k.
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Old 08-28-2019, 04:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vranko View Post
I know of many IMS retrofits that have failed so don't assume you'll not have a problem with a car that's been 'fixed'.
X2, Some of the retrofits are now a time AND mileage item.
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Old 08-28-2019, 08:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vranko View Post
I know of many IMS retrofits that have failed so don't assume you'll not have a problem with a car that's been 'fixed'.
I had an IMS bearing retrofit that failed at 6k miles. They gave me a new IMS bearing. Save your money. I'm pretty sure the people who are pushing all the hype are selling snake oil.
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