Checking ims bearing

[smooth]

I'm a new owner of a 2001 3.2 S with 72,000 mi. I pulled the oil filter and have a fair amount of metal and soft chunks of something that roll up under finger pressure. Supposedly the IMS bearing was replaced about 10,000 ago and looking at the outside of it, it doesn't look like the original factory job. Sealer kind of globed on around it? Maybe they didn't clean the engine well if the first bearing started to go, which might explain the debris in the filter? No records with the car so I'm starting from scratch. I want to open the bearing cover and inspect the bearing. How should I proceed if the bearing looks intact? Anyone ever pull the seal off successfully to see if grease or oil is in there? See if there is any side play?
I'm going to drop the pan next to see what's in there, looks like factory sealed. I've only started the car maybe 15 times and had the chain rattle at start up mostly only when cold.

[thom4782]

One can only inspect the IMS bearing by removing the transmission, clutch assembly and the flywheel. To see the bearing itself, one must also remove the IMS bearing flange. Once these parts are out of the way, one can then inspect the bearing for leaks and play. After extracting the bearing, one can remove the seals to inspect the bearings and races. BTW: LN Retrofit bearing are not sealed.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by smooth

I'm a new owner of a 2001 3.2 S with 72,000 mi. I pulled the oil filter and have a fair amount of metal and soft chunks of something that roll up under finger pressure. Supposedly the IMS bearing was replaced about 10,000 ago and looking at the outside of it, it doesn't look like the original factory job. Sealer kind of globed on around it? Maybe they didn't clean the engine well if the first bearing started to go, which might explain the debris in the filter? No records with the car so I'm starting from scratch. I want to open the bearing cover and inspect the bearing. How should I proceed if the bearing looks intact? Anyone ever pull the seal off successfully to see if grease or oil is in there? See if there is any side play?
I'm going to drop the pan next to see what's in there, looks like factory sealed. I've only started the car maybe 15 times and had the chain rattle at start up mostly only when cold.

The fact that there is sealant "globed on around it" says that whoever touched the car had no idea what they were doing (no sealant is required); I would not trust that the IMS has been changed without full documentation to prove it....................

[steveng1993]

2nd that.
Anyone will tell you anything to sell you a car.

[teezr2]

Check my post about metal in oil last year. I just tore engine apart and the cause was a worn out thrust washer that ruined my crankshaft. Now I need a new engine, because a new crank is $4000.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by teezr2

Check my post about metal in oil last year. I just tore engine apart and the cause was a worn out thrust washer that ruined my crankshaft. Now I need a new engine, because a new crank is $4000.

That is not all that uncommon, we have actually found a thrust washer in the bottom of an oil sump on a 996.



Often, the "ears" break off of them causing them to drop out of the carrier, and the crank promptly destroys the carrier.

[smooth]

I've pulled the pan (factory sealant) and found more metal chunks, bigger. They look to be from the bearing cage and also dark brown plastic pieces maybe from a chain guide. The varicam guides seem to be a lighter yellow color from photos I've seen. The left valve cover comes off next to inspect things. The chain rattle always sounded on that side. Can you remove the long chain guides once the cam gears are removed?