Boxster questions

[Steve Carlton]

A friend has a 2002 Boxster. He was asking me where to get a clock knob like in this picture. Suggestions? Also, how do you guard against an IMS bearing failure- have the oil tested now and then? The car only has 40,000 miles, so it's probably a long ways away from a clutch replacement.

[Jeff Higgins]

Can't answer the knob question, but I think I can address the IMS thing. I have an '02 Boxster S with about 150k on it. It needed a clutch at about 80k, so we looked at the IMS bearing. It looked brand new. In my opinion, one of the most overblown "issues" ever. Seems like it took root about the time internet car forums were really taking off, and lots of folks wanted to demonstrate what they "knew".

That said, there is definitely a "window", mileage-wise, in which they fail. This car is right in the middle of that window. There is no way to prevent it if it has a bad bearing, it's just gonna fail. It will, however, make some noise long before it does. You cannot really hear it from the cabin. You can, however, stick your head down next to the rear wheel, where you will definitely hear it with the car running. It will be really noticeable before it goes all catastrophic.

If it makes it much farther, like to maybe 50k, most seem to think it's out of that "window" and should be o.k. Seems to happen relatively early or not at all. Mine still has the original in it.

[LWJ]

I have an 01 S. Just did an oiled change. Perfect. I roll the dice and enjoy the car.

No idea about the knob either.

[cantdrv55]

No idea about the knob as well but I have a ‘00 S that has 68k miles and on the original clutch. When it’s time for a new clutch that’s when I’ll get the IMS addressed.

[sc_rufctr]

Search: "INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - CLOCK KNOB 996 & 986"

Our host sells them... https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/99664191100.htm?pn=996-641-911-00-OEM

[fastfredracing]

I always cut the oil filters open at oil changes to look for shiny particulate , and use a magnetic drain plug

[recycled sixtie]

I used to own a 2001 Boxster base. I installed the IMS Guardian which is a magnetic drain plug. If metal adhered to the plug then a red light came on. Like Fred says you can cut open the oil filter to check for metal which I used to do.

An oil change here in my Boxster used to cost $300 cdn done by an indy shop. If your friend can do this himself he can save a ton of money plus he can check for metal in the filter.

[jhynesrockmtn]

The indy I used for some things on my 996 told me several years ago that the cars he saw with issues were low mileage garage queens. I'd have the oil analyzed and if ok, drive it regularly. When the clutch is due, address it then.

[porsche tech]

We always had 6 or 8 long blocks stacked up behind the building waiting for PCNA warranty to ask for them to be returned after they were replaced for IMS bearing failure. Pretty common occurrence on both 986 and 996 back in the day. Quite often PCNA covered it even when warranty had expired.

[Rtrorkt]

If the cars were driven regularly there were very few cases of IMS failure. It is when they sat for long period.

[Steve Carlton]

This one does that.

[Z-man]

Moving over to Boxster / Cayman forum, but will leave a redirect here for reference.

[mikefocke]

And by the time you hear it, it has deposited its scrapings into everywhere oil goes. Think main bearings, rod bearings, camshaft bearings....you get the picture. Is there a window? Yea from 0 to 400k miles.

I remember a guy who had 2 failures all within the first 20k engine miles. Both replaced by Porsche so those were earl versions. A 2002 will have a replaceable bearing. He can come here and find thousands of messages on the subject of the IMS. Another source are the LN web pages.