Question on Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing - 2007 and later...

This is the most comprehensive article I have seen on this problem. I have a 2007 Cayman S which,according to the article, has "a third version which is not replaceable." Does this mean that Porsche solved the problem or do I still have to be concerned about this? If the latter, I guess that entails a complete engine teardown.

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Replacement and Upgrade (IMS) - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-06)

[Wayne 962]

As far as existing evidence has shown (through stories I've heard through others), the problem has not been fixed, and still exists with the more modern engines with the larger bearing. That said, I do believe that you can cut down your chances of having a problem by keeping your oil change intervals to under 5000 miles.

- Wayne

[mikefocke]

The '06-'08 era 987 engines have a Intermediate shaft to which the IMS bearing is attached and thus the entire shaft must be removed to get access to the bearing. To do this requires removal of the engine and separating the two halves of the crankcase. You then send the entire shaft to LNengineering and they rebuild the shaft with their ceramic bearing and return the rebuilt shaft to you.

So yes, you still have the ability to replace the IMS bearing, it is just a lot more expensive in time and materials than earlier versions.

While there haven't been as many stories of IMS failures on the '06-'08 engines, this may well be because they are being taken care of under warranty. The stories of the failures on the earlier models were likewise late in emerging perhaps due to the same circumstances. People tell to tell the story if they have to pay for it...especially at new engine replacement prices. And you can't think LN would go to the trouble of engineering a solution if there weren't a need for the replacement part.

No one else I've ever heard of offers a replacement.


lnengineering.com

[Meirschwartz]

What about the post 08 engines?
Any record of failure on them?

[ronster]

Originally Posted by Meirschwartz

What about the post 08 engines?
Any record of failure on them?

Any failure records, involving replacement by Porsche, are a well kept secret by Porsche. Any records of replacement by a third party are probably unreported and not kept track of. Any claims of percentage of failure, unless given by Porsche are most likely a SWAG.