Boxster New Engine

[kjmorgan]

I just purchased a one owner "03" Boxster with 95K miles. Service records show a new engine was installed by the Porsche Dealer at 72K miles. Has 23K on the new engine. The installation was done in Nov of 2010. Do I have to worry about the IMS bearing in this new engine, or was the engine upgraded to a 2010 version of a new engine. The car is pristine even with the high mileage. I am thrilled with my good fortune in getting this car. Had a PPI done and it showed no problems. Thanks!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by kjmorgan

I just purchased a one owner "03" Boxster with 95K miles. Service records show a new engine was installed by the Porsche Dealer at 72K miles. Has 23K on the new engine. The installation was done in Nov of 2010. Do I have to worry about the IMS bearing in this new engine, or was the engine upgraded to a 2010 version of a new engine. The car is pristine even with the high mileage. I am thrilled with my good fortune in getting this car. Had a PPI done and it showed no problems. Thanks!

The engine Porsche would have installed is correct to the year of the car, with the major exception of the style of the IMS bearing. The original '03 engine would have carried a single row IMS that was serviceable (read could be replaced without tearing the engine down), any replacement engine would have the oversized non serviceable IMS bearing. While this larger bearing does not fail with the frequency of the earlier design's, the still are subject to failure. Perhaps the largest point is that it cannot be upgraded without totally disassembling the engine.

[kjmorgan]

I believe the bearing you mention is the one in "06" models thru "2010". Is there any data on failure of the new nonreplaceable bearing. How can I get information on this. Will the service order covering the new engine installation have any usable information, or am I stuck with a new engine that is still suspect IMS wise.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by kjmorgan

I believe the bearing you mention is the one in "06" models thru "2010". Is there any data on failure of the new nonreplaceable bearing. How can I get information on this. Will the service order covering the new engine installation have any usable information, or am I stuck with a new engine that is still suspect IMS wise.

The oversized IMS bearing started showing up in production models in 2005 through 2009.

There are no published data on failure rates, but they do occur, just at a lower level than the earlier cars. As the oversized bearing cannot be changed without a total tear down of the engine, the only preventative measure you can take is to pull the clutch and flywheel and remove the rear seal on the bearing so it can splash lube. Outside of that, your hands are tied.

[mikefocke]

The chatter was the third generation (generally '05-'09) failure rate compared to the second generation single bearing (generally '00-'04) design was 4 to 8 times less frequent/soon. It was sufficiently different/less for the class action lawyers to not pursue including them as part of the second generation settlement although there were also delay and lawyer payment advantages to limiting the settlement to a single design.

All wear parts eventually fail, just "eventually" varies as different designs/materials are used and the shape of the bell curve changes.

A possible tactic would be to wait till your clutch gets changed, then remove the seal and thus increase lube via immersion/mist.

[Scnell Gelb]

Mr Morgan,
Suggest you check this :
TechnoFix DOF
and then browse posts on this subject on the various Forums. Lots of squabbling clutters the issue .There are even some You Tube videos by Pedro's Garage.
Porsche IMS Bearing Story featuring the Direct Oil Feed (DO) - YouTube
More important in my very limited experience at your miles is the condition of the DMF(if you have a manual trans). If it is the original part I would want to have it checked by a competent M96 Indie .My worn DMF caused just as much damage as a worn IMS bearing might have.There is lots advice on that subject here too.
I hope you enjoy your Boxster.

[Chuey]

Originally Posted by Scnell Gelb

MMy worn DMF caused just as much damage as a worn IMS bearing might have.

I know it's going to seem easy, but what is a DMF?

Thanks,
Chuey

[Scnell Gelb]

Dual Mass Flywheel
Google for "LUK" "Schaeffler"

[kjmorgan]

Scnell,
Guess I am not aware of problems with the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF). Perhaps it is only with the manual tran vehicles. I have the Tiptronic Automatic and enjoy the manual mode where I can grab some revs through the gears. In automatic mode you are through the gears before you reach 2500 rpm. You can get gear revs in automatic by stomping on the accelerator with "jack rabbit" start. I can only imagine how nice the new PDK automatic is on the newer cars.

Ken C Morgan P.E.
"03" Boxster/Tiptronic/96k/25k on new engine

[Scnell Gelb]

DMF only on manual trans.
PDK has some performance issues unless you also get Sport Chrono. Just google or test drive. W/o the Sport Chrono or similar setting option ,PDK software is tuned for economy = languid acceleration unless you floor it.