3.2 IMS Failure

[jcb986]

I have read about the IMS failure and it seems not to be a real major issue. I had a conversation with a Porsche mechanic who knows the Boxster very well. He said these failures are not common as people think. The car itself is well designed for a sports car. My 2000 S has a 3.2 with 70,000 miles and runs very strong. Just had it up to 110 mph the other day to clean out local driving carbon. Just courious, has any 3.2 had any failures...also, I understand these failures occur on most engines with under 40,000 miles on it and I have been told if you have higher miles on your engine, like mine, don't worry.

[JMatta]

This has been beaten to death...use the search feature; it is your friend. If you want to read about the IMS and it's design troubles, visit LN Engineering Nickies The Original and Genuine CNC Billet Aluminum NSC-Plated Cylinders and Flat 6 Innovations

There is a ton of information on the topic. I have an '02 S with just under 17k miles and am considering the LN IMS update just in case.

[txhokie4life]

Just did a PPI of an 00 S with 109k miles.

Has every signs of an IMS failure that just occurred.

I walked away (ok ran) from the purchase.

I also have a 99 with 92K miles that has a confirmed IMS failure.
Will be swapping the engine out with a IMSR in place.

Mike

[Porsche_Daddy]

Awesome...just what we needed another IMS thread!!

[racer]

IMS is not a big issue.. until it happens to you.. then you wonder how Porsche could do such a bad job. While not immune from IMS failures.

I will note that my interweb experience indicates the 3.2 is somehow a less common failure than the 3.4 996 or 2.5 986 motors. Perhaps its just a total numbers thing.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by txhokie4life

Just did a PPI of an 00 S with 109k miles.

Has every signs of an IMS failure that just occurred.

I walked away (ok ran) from the purchase.

I also have a 99 with 92K miles that has a confirmed IMS failure.
Will be swapping the engine out with a IMSR in place.

Mike

I want to buy a Boxster S like this can you tell me where it's located?

I believe IMS failures often come from poor lubrication as a result of following Porsche's recommended 15,000 mile oil change interval.

[jcb986]

I said in my statement that the IMS issue is hyppyed more than it should be. Also, I understand this issue became more of a problem from 02 and on when the bearing design was changed by Porsche. 97 - 01 have a very low bearing problem. The bearing itself is not the issue, it is the lubricating of it that has been the issue.

[txhokie4life]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

I want to buy a Boxster S like this can you tell me where it's located?

I believe IMS failures often come from poor lubrication as a result of following Porsche's recommended 15,000 mile oil change interval.

It's in Austin -- I would be happy to broker the deal for you if it is still available.

I personally think he is/was expecting too much $$ -- but you might have a different opinion.

shoot me an email offline -- mike at lonestarrpm dot com.

Mike

[tdady]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

I want to buy a Boxster S like this can you tell me where it's located?

I believe IMS failures often come from poor lubrication as a result of following Porsche's recommended 15,000 mile oil change interval.

I have an '00 S for sale with about 110K on it. It runs great and doesnt leak a drop of anything. Dark blue with tan, factory nav and factory 6 disc Bose stereo. Needs rear plastic window replaced but other than that its in great shape. Asking $12K

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by tdady

I have an '00 S for sale with about 110K on it. It runs great and doesnt leak a drop of anything. Dark blue with tan, factory nav and factory 6 disc Bose stereo. Needs rear plastic window replaced but other than that its in great shape. Asking $12K

I don't want to hijack this thread but I am looking for a S that needs a engine rebuild so I can give it Rabys

[Wayne 962]

The 3.2 is the most bulletproof of the Boxster engines, when it comes to the cylinder wall linings. However, for the IMS bearing, there doesn't seem to be a favorite amongst the engines in terms of reliability.

This problem is like the Carrera Chain Tensioner issue on the aircooled 911 motors. You can indeed have some motors blow up because of the problem, so it's best to address it before you have to replace your engine. It's smart to do the upgrade when the engine is out for a clutch job.

-Wayne

[jcb986]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

The 3.2 is the most bulletproof of the Boxster engines, when it comes to the cylinder wall linings. However, for the IMS bearing, there doesn't seem to be a favorite amongst the engines in terms of reliability.

This problem is like the Carrera Chain Tensioner issue on the aircooled 911 motors. You can indeed have some motors blow up because of the problem, so it's best to address it before you have to replace your engine. It's smart to do the upgrade when the engine is out for a clutch job.

-Wayne

Wayne, mines a TIP and I see the IMS issue more with sticks than autos.

[JMatta]

From what I've read, the tips are less likely to have RMS issues, but non of the M96 engines are immune from IMS failures. However, as previously stated, these are rare occurrences and will not inflict everyone...just the unfortunate ones when it happens (I do not want to be one of those statistics).

I also believe prodriver's view that buying a broken Box S and installing a Raby engine would give you great bang for the buck and a near bullet proof car.

[gregwils]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

This problem is like the Carrera Chain Tensioner issue on the aircooled 911 motors. You can indeed have some motors blow up because of the problem, so it's best to address it before you have to replace your engine.

-Wayne

Wayne hits the nail on the head. If the bearing fails, the motor blows up. It's not the probability of occurring that is at issue, it's the consequence if it does.

[911ballin]

is teh engiesn prety much same or im97 is totally different engine! are m97 has also the intermeshaft bearing issue? or what issues have the m97?

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by jcb986

Wayne, mines a TIP and I see the IMS issue more with sticks than autos.

That's correct. As I mentioned on the other thread, it may have something to do with the additional cooling of the tip.

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by 911ballin

is teh engiesn prety much same or im97 is totally different engine! are m97 has also the intermeshaft bearing issue? or what issues have the m97?

M97s have some improvements, and are more reliable. But, they still have had failures related to this bearing and a few other things too...

-Wayne