% with IMS issue?

[mikefocke]

alignment, don't use any ball bearing.

I don't remember about either "the Solution" or a roller bearing.

But baring a trip to Jake's shop where he does measure the alignment of the two holes, how would you know?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Curious, is the LM solution a fix for engines that the ims bearing location on the engine that is not perfectly symmetrical? Not sure the proper wording.

The IMS Solution is by far the retrofit with the highest tolerance to known issues, which is why none has ever failed.

[DWBOX2000]

Thanks guys. I did the LN retrofit. Needed a clutch so it worked out. Sleep much better. Original was like new at 50k. Dual in 2000 S #113, Early car I guess meant more likely dual. Engine built in 1998. Data for anyone keeping track. Otherwise ignore.

[Bilmar72]

I am sorry to advise but I strongly disagree with the members who think that the IMS issue is anything less than real. While is is true that the best information is that the risk of the actual occurrence is between 1 and 8%, the problem is that the consequences of the failure are total engine destruction. There is at least one member of my local club who lost an engine due to IMS failure.

I own a one owner 2004 Boxster S which is my first Porsche and was purchased three months ago. I knew about the IMS issue before I purchased and so I had a plan. I would buy a low mileage Boxster S around the 2003, 2004 age because I wanted the glass rear window and the glovebox, and then have the bearing replaced with a LN Engineering upgrade in time. However, having found and purchased the car my first problem was that I had underestimated how much the IMS risk would detract from my enjoyment of the car.

I am an engineer and I have been involved with cars since I was a youngster, having rebuilt various gearboxes and engines. Knowing what the IMS bearing is, how it works and it potential for destroying the engine without warning, the original bearing was just not something I could live with. Being located in Perth, Western Australia Boxsters hold their price better than in the US so a blown engine is not a good option here.

So after visiting the local Porsche dealer (only to be assured there was no IMS issue) I looked for a good shop specialising in water-cooled Porsche. With the help of the local Porsche club I located the only one who came recommended, but he has at least nine months work ahead and was not keen on doing the bearing change on my car, a tiptronic.

So what to do, I seemed to have only three options. Not drive the car for up to a year and hope the local specialist will eventually fix, ship the car to the East Coast for a specialist over there to fit the upgrade, or do it myself. None of these options were ideal but in the end I decided that doing the upgrade myself was the better option, even though I do not have a lift, although I do have a well-equipped workshop. This would get it done sooner and the car would remain under my control, albeit that by doing it myself there would be no warranty.

Further research revealed a permanent solution to the issue, in the form of the IMS Solution from LN Engineering. I like the idea of an oil fed plain bearing, being simple, reliable and even if worn should not destroy the engine. So all parts ordered ex Pelican Parts including the new bearing, fitting tool kit and supplementary tool kit. Now I have seen comment on various forums about the high price of the tool kits, but I was blown away by all aspects of the tool kits and the IMS Solution bearing kit. The quality of every component was first class, the packaging was superb and the instructions which came with the new bearing detailed and complete. I have no connection with Pelican Parts or any of the parts suppliers, except as a customer.

Working with the car as high as possible on axle stands I removed the sump plate, phew no metal at all and no plastic. Cut up filter, no particles at all and none in the filter bowl. I then set about removing the tiptronic transaxle (a pain working through the starter aperture) but doable with a hired transmission jack. I then followed the IMS Solution detailed instructions step by step and to the letter. Being both a very cautious person and terrified of losing the cam timing, I locked both cam banks just to be safe.

The installation went smoothly and after installing the new filter and adaptor, the connection pipe and a new RMS using a homemade installer, I reassembled everything carefully and, with thoughts of valves hitting pistons in my head, fired her up repeatedly to build oil pressure. SUCCESS! Very relieved and no leaks. Running absolutely brilliantly and so much more power, or maybe I am just so much happier to use all of the revs now I have a plain bearing instead of the hand grenade.

What of the original bearing. It had the seals intact but there was a lot of oil in the intermediate shaft and in the bearing. Seemed to spin smoothly though. However when the bearing was washed it was very loose, rough and rattled when spun. Examining the race surfaces after cutting the outer race showed a generally smooth surface but with noticeable “lateral stutter” makes across the bearing track. See pic. A timely
replacement I think.



I do not want to scare people but there is a risk, especially with the single row small bearing from around 2001 to 2005. And there is no known way to 100% guarantee avoiding a failure.

[993bug]

What bearing does it have? Single or double.

Thanks!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 993bug

What bearing does it have? Single or double.

Thanks!

2000 and 2001 were transition year cars and can only be determined by taking the car apart and looking. Most were dual rows, but many were single row engines, and there is no known way to tell which is which without looking.

[993bug]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

2000 and 2001 were transition year cars and can only be determined by taking the car apart and looking. Most were dual rows, but many were single row engines, and there is no known way to tell which is which without looking.

Thanks! In looking at higher mileage cars, > 100k, is it safe to assume clutch has been replaced and bearing has been updated. Guess it may be better to buy from PO as they may have records, and not one from a dealer acquired at an auction.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 993bug

Thanks! In looking at higher mileage cars, > 100k, is it safe to assume clutch has been replaced and bearing has been updated. Guess it may be better to buy from PO as they may have records, and not one from a dealer acquired at an auction.

NEVER assume that the IMS has been done; in fact, do not trust and owner that tells you that but does not have supporting documentation to prove it. And even then, call the shop that did the job to confirm. We have actually seen more than one car that claimed to have an LN update in it that did not.

[993bug]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

NEVER assume that the IMS has been done; in fact, do not trust and owner that tells you that but does not have supporting documentation to prove it. And even then, call the shop that did the job to confirm. We have actually seen more than one car that claimed to have an LN update in it that did not.

lol..kind of suspected that would be the answer.....

[JFP in PA]

Not that long ago, we had a car in the shop for a PPI, which the owner claimed had an LN IMS Solution in it. When we put the car up in the air, there was no braided stainless steel oil line running from the spin on filter adaptor to the IMS flange; in fact, it didn't even have a spin on oil filter on the engine. We immediately put the car back on the ground and told the perspective buyer (right in front of the seller) that the car was bogus and to look elsewhere.

You would be surprised what people try to slip by a buyer when selling one of these cars......

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Completely off target here, but this issue is always raising its Uugly head-
I wish Wayne would have a thread just for Locations and places for a decent PPI.
They are hard to locate if not in one's own geographic area.
Now back to the regularly scheduled program.

Don't hold your breath; Wayne has often been critical of independent shops.

[993bug]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Not that long ago, we had a car in the shop for a PPI, which the owner claimed had an LN IMS Solution in it. When we put the car up in the air, there was no braided stainless steel oil line running from the spin on filter adaptor to the IMS flange; in fact, it didn't even have a spin on oil filter on the engine. We immediately put the car back on the ground and told the perspective buyer (right in front of the seller) that the car was bogus and to look elsewhere.

You would be surprised what people try to slip by a buyer when selling one of these cars......

So on a MY2000 - would a PPI reveal the update, or is it more involved that you need to tear into her?

edit: never mind, found this http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/14-ENGINE-Intermediate_Shaft_Bearing/14-ENGINE-Intermediate_Shaft_Bearing.htm

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 993bug

So on a MY2000 - would a PPI reveal the update, or is it more involved that you need to tear into her?

edit: never mind, found this Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Replacement and Upgrade (IMS) - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-06)

Unfortunately, that is completely wrong information. We do this for a living, and from experience, you cannot tell which type of IMS bearing is in a 2000-2001 engine without taking it apart and looking. We have seen innumerable examples that prove that list wrong. Even the article states, "However, as mentioned previously, practical experience has determined that these numbers are not 100% correct."

Misinformation like this has been published for years on the internet to the pain of those that took it as gospel and ordered parts, only to find out it is incorrect, and they are now stuck with parts they cannot return. Take it apart and look first.

[mikefocke]

Go here and do a search for the word "versions" and read that paragraph.

Or just listen to JFP who has done lots of these.

[Emo993]

Regarding PPI for Porsches....just ask a few people in the local PCA, they know the shops. Best, Mark

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Unfortunately, that is completely wrong information. We do this for a living, and from experience, you cannot tell which type of IMS bearing is in a 2000-2001 engine without taking it apart and looking. We have seen innumerable examples that prove that list wrong. Even the article states, "However, as mentioned previously, practical experience has determined that these numbers are not 100% correct."

Misinformation like this has been published for years on the internet to the pain of those that took it as gospel and ordered parts, only to find out it is incorrect, and they are now stuck with parts they cannot return. Take it apart and look first.

[yt][/yt]

[Cag4]

2005 base Boxster, 5 speed manual (early '05). Purchased 2 years ago from original owner with 12,500 original miles. Just crossed 21,000 miles. Car is at Vision having the engine rebuilt right now.

Don't worry, its not a "real" problem...