FNG question-IMS Bearing replacement years

[Consulter]

Just found this forum and glad I did. I'm doing a bit of homework because I'm looking at picking up an "S".
Drove one, now I want one....go figure eh? I've heard about the IMS bearing issue...not a problem....been turning wenches for years.
My Q&A:
1. It's been recommended to pick up a Boxster that's 2001 or newer because the IMS bearing can be replaced wo/pulling the engine? Y/N
2. What do people due that have an older than 2001 "S" do?
3. Is the "Bentley" published service manual the official service manual for the Boxster or is there a factory published manual?

Any insight as to what to look out for would be helpful. There's a lot of good information on this site and it's laid out very well......I do my homework and the information you guys provide is excellent.
Good to be here....thanks very much for the help.....and I await you response.

Hopefully, future "Flat6" owner

[Lyle.woodard]

1). You will always have to pull the engine (or drop the trans) to change the IMS Bearing. On any year Boxster or Cayman often done at the same time as clutch is replaced. Flywheel needs to come off to get at it.

2). I would use the new L&N Engineering oil fed unit, and will replace my current L&N double ceramic replacement bearing with one the next time it appears that my clutch needs replacement. Check out which years engines require engine disassembly to replace the bearing, and don't buy one of those - otherwise it's a do it yourself or easy job for a good independent shop.

3) There is an official Porsche manual, it costs a fortune. I am having decent luck with Bentley, 101 projects book, and forums. I Take the car to a local independent Porsche shop for anything I don't feel reasonably confident about.

Good luck

[yupaleus]

Knock on wood, I have a 2001 s 170k miles, no ims failure... It's amazing thanks to Wayne and others what you can do yourself on this car. I feel an intimate relationship with this car, having changed starter, obc activation, spark plugs, brake changes, window mechanism, ignition mechanism, throttle body cleaning, and of course oil changes. I'm just now stumped on the gas filling issue, but I'll figure it out with some help.

[mikefocke]

The engines in '97 thru '04 Boxsters can have the IMS bearings replaced with only dropping the transmission if they are manual transmission cars and if they haven't had a replacement engine installed which has the third generation IMS in the engine. There is no way of knowing for absolute sure unless you are looking at the back of the engine with the transmission removed.

The '97 thru '99 cars had the first generation IMS bearings which tended to be better than the second generation. But many of those are getting long in the tooth. Those cars have several options for replacement bearings, the most commonly used being the LN dual row.

Porsche published a official maintenance manual. Intended for dealers and was many books worth of hardcopy. It is seldom they were maintained with updates. There are files floating around of a '97 or so version without updates that is 2 CDs. None the less it is useful. The Bently and Pelican manuals are not official and have their strengths and weaknesses.

[BYprodriver]

[QUOTE=mikefocke;8245919]The engines in '97 thru '04 Boxsters can have the IMS bearings replaced with only dropping the transmission if they are manual transmission cars and if they haven't had a replacement engine installed which has the third generation IMS in the engine. There is no way of knowing for absolute sure unless you are looking at the back of the engine with the transmission removed.

'97-'04 Boxsters & 996's IMSB can be replaced by removing the transmission, regardless of transmission type.

[chamilun]

i liked my 03 much better than my 99 due to interior improvements.

the IMS is the same until 04 or 05 I believe as far as changing and what not.

When you change the clutch, change the IMS. Simple!

There are others issues with these motors as well like any car, so if the engine is not buttery smooth, move on

[mikefocke]

Ah, but can you remove the tiptronic transmission to get at the back of the engine without dropping the engine? Not what I've been told and reflected in the price others have been quoted.

[Consulter]

Thanks for the excellent info...helps a great deal.
It's interesting how a car evokes so much passion....true statement of the car itself from the paramount perspective...the end user.
Thanks again.