If you think IMS bearing failures are all myth, then check this out...

[Wayne 962]

This is a car that I bought last year from a fellow who took it to a local Porsche shop here with some odd sounds when running. The car ran and drove, but every few seconds, it would create a loud screeching noise and other associated weird noises. I bought the car for $10K from this fellow, as it was headed to LA Porsche dismantlers if I didn't buy it. The car drove and appeared to run okay, but kept making these noises, particularly on startup. Sometimes it ran perfectly quiet, sometimes not.

The car is a 1999 Porsche 996 Carrera 3.4 engine with only 31,000 miles on it. Today, we took the IMS cover off of the engine to see what was underneath. Check out what we found:



The entire bearing has been destroyed. The seal is nowhere in sight, and the race came out stuck to the bearing cover (which was scratched and damaged). Apparently the balls were just floating around inside and it was only a matter of minutes before before the motor lost timing and grenaded. You can often detect a problem like this by plugging in the PST-2 (or Durametric) computer into the car and then checking camshaft deviation.

This car will be saved, as I think we got to it in time. As mentioned previously, we have a new prototype intermediate shaft bearing replacement kit that we are working on, and we'll be installing it on this engine for testing. This will all be detailed in a very lengthy tech article that I'm working on right now.

Enjoy!

-Wayne

[Doug&Julie]

Nice save. 996 motor in a Boxster or is this a 911? (Not that it matters much, just curious.)

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

Nice save. 996 motor in a Boxster or is this a 911? (Not that it matters much, just curious.)

This particular car is a 1999 996 Cabriolet.

-Wayne

[TenaciousD]

I certainly am convinced it's not a myth. The encouraging thing about your post here is that the bearing made some noise before it completely let go.
I've had my Boxster for less than two weeks and it seems to be perfect, but I keep cars a long time so I will most likely do the bearing retrofit before too long, just for peace of mind.

Kevin
2002 Boxster S

[Wayne 962]

We have the new kit that will be coming out soon. In the meantime, there's the kit from LN Engineering that we sell as well..

-Wayne

[JMatta]

$10k for a Carrera cab...nice deal, especially because the fix is simple when you know what to look for and how to go about it. That sucker was living on its last moments!

I'll be at Road America this weekend for a three day PCA DE (I'm a PCA coach/instructor); I'll report back if we have any cars with an IMS failure (we had one last year). We're more likely to lose a couple GT3's due to driver error...happens EVERY time.

[Elombard]

Originally Posted by JMatta

We're more likely to lose a couple GT3's due to driver error...happens EVERY time.

Interesting - I am betting that most of the GT3 drivers are well healed enough to get them fixed and nothing is ever reported. Sounds like I better be careful if I look to buy one in a few years.

[JMatta]

True, most are heavy on money and light on ability, from my perspective. Road America is a very challenging track and stresses both the vehicle and it's driver to the limits. It appears we have a fair number of Boxsters and Caymans from looking at the roster. Of course, there are quite a number of 996/997s participating that could suffer from IMS failures, as well; miraculously, the numbers are low. C Navarro will be there thrashing his Boxster...nothing like "real life" testing of your products!

[Tennessee911]

Wayne:

For a DYI owner, do you think the 5k oil change interval with cutting open the oil filter as described in the latest Excellance article looking for evidence of bearing break up combined with a regular Durametric check for camshaft deviation (what's the code for that by the way) like monthly would minimize chances of the IMS bearing until it can be checked and replaced at a clutch change?

Sounds like from all I've read, IMS failure is an immediate event when it happens, but there are actually some warning signs as mentioned above.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Tennessee911

Wayne:

For a DYI owner, do you think the 5k oil change interval with cutting open the oil filter as described in the latest Excellance article looking for evidence of bearing break up combined with a regular Durametric check for camshaft deviation (what's the code for that by the way) like monthly would minimize chances of the IMS bearing until it can be checked and replaced at a clutch change?

Sounds like from all I've read, IMS failure is an immediate event when it happens, but there are actually some warning signs as mentioned above.

I disagree slightly with what some people have said recently. Tony (Callas) and I have had many lunch discussions on the IMS. I can only go by personal experience. The car featured in the photo above clearly made some very troubling noises at startup and when running. Very loud, bad bearing sounding noises. Stuff that's bad enough that your wife would say "what's wrong with your car". So, at least with this particular engine, it was very clear that there was an issue with the engine. I think the engine rattling at startup is a big clue. My wife's Tiptronic car does that slightly too, but it also may be the chain tensioners filling up with pressure.

I'm also not sure if you'd see crap in the oil filter. I'll take apart the oil filter that I have on this 996 and take a closer look at it.

-Wayne

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Tennessee911

.......
Sounds like from all I've read, IMS failure is an immediate event when it happens, but there are actually some warning signs as mentioned above.

I believe it is an immediate event when it destructs, but the bearings go bad over a short period of time. Not sure there are enough warning signs for my comfort.

I just removed mine, from a 32,000 mile car. Bearing is very loose and wobbly, was definitely failing. No visible metal in last oil drain, and the area around the bearing was clean. Car made no strange noises.

I'll be pulling the pan and dissecting the filter, will post pics.

[Steve986]

This kind of stuff makes me nervous! So i guess the idea is to be aware of this, watch for the clues and then if one get the chance replace it before it fails. What a drag.

Steve

[dad911]

I would definitely change it on low miles cars, and whenever doing a clutch.

I wonder why no one talks about inspecting them. When I pulled the cover, you could feel that the shaft was 'wobbly' and spinning the threaded shaft, it was not smooth.

[Wayne 962]

I have good news folks. Last week we replaced the IMS bearing with our new Pelican kit and I have been successfully driving the car around for the past week with no problems. There was a lot of residue and debris in the bottom of the sump, and it looks like we managed to get almost all of it out. The engine is purring fine. We'll change the oil again tomorrow (third time in a week) to flush the entire system out, and then I will toss the car to my friend who commutes about 600 miles a week for "extended testing".

After we confirm no leaks, we will have the kit available for purchase!

-Wayne

[stv951]

very nice. Really interesting Wayne. Any first approach on the price for your kit ? What would it include ? What tools would be needed to change the bearing ?

Keep up the good work

[xiaohu.2011]

have you started to sell the product yet?

[WRGREENER]

Heck with the kit.....wayne i would love it if you would just flip me a car for extensive testing. Great support you offer.

[klickdavis]

Just got our 2002BoxS back from shop, went in with seized alternator (nasty noises there) but while in the air decided to have them pull trans and just DO IT... you want piece of mind driving a car that
will lunch it's engine at 6-8k a pop. New rms , L&N ims bearing and clutch check....
Had 115k on the clock but I hate that ticking sound of disaster.

[Wayne 962]

Actually, we *just* put back together the 996 with the prototype kit and we will be doing more testing next week. I anticipate that the kit will be "certified" and ready for sale probably in February.

Thanks!

-Wayne

[Jrboulder]

Wayne: as soon as this kit hits the market it looks like I will be in the market for a 986 or 996 that needs a clutch

I wouldn't drive one unless I personally knew that it had a new IMS bearing.

I'm so excited!

Jackson