IMS failures

millhaus · millhaus's Garage

I know this can be a sore topic but I just sold my 930 and am looking for a more "practical" 996 daily driver (maybe a cab to keep wife happy)

IMS FAILURES!!

How big are the concerns and possibility of these going bad on the 996? If I buy one with 80k should I just drop the engine and install the aftermarket replacement or is this blown out of proportion?

I plan on driving this all year, including the snowy winter. How reliable are the 996s? Usual Porsche issues with electrical gremlins etc?

I completely tore down and rebuilt my 930 engine so I am not opposed to doing the work, I just dont have the time any more, especially for nusiance items. I want something reliable and I miss driving my Porsche.

Thanks for the advice.

KNS · 03-13-2012, 03:26 PM

I am also thinking of getting myself a 996. The IMS issues may be blown out of proportion but they do happen. Some people have done the upgraded bearing only to find that the original bearing was fine. Others have found a bearing on the way out.

From what I have been reading they seem to very reliable once some problem areas are addressed: IMS, AOS, water pump. When (if..) I pick one up I am going to bite the bullet and do the upgraded IMS bearing purely for peace of mind.

One member here (450 knot office) has a 2000 and it has been very reliable racking up lots of miles. Do a search here on "996 daily driver".

Jeff Alton · 03-14-2012, 09:53 PM

They are great cars.

Yes, you can do an IMS replacement and find a perfectly good bearing, like most are. We just did an IMS bearing replacement on a boxster and pulled out a good bearing. But the car's owner will sleep better at night now..

AOS is no that bad of a job, parts are cheap.

Plenty of them running around without issue.

Our 966 race car had over 100,000 miles on it when we converted it.

Cheers

c2fever · 03-15-2012, 08:10 AM

I bought my '01 Carerra three months ago. Love the car!! It had 52k on the clock. There were no engine oil leaks or noises or metallic dust in the oil/filter to lead me to believe that IMS bearing failure was imminent but I decided to go ahead and have the it replaced for peace of mind.

Once it was torn into, the original bearing did not have any grease packed in it but there were no visible signs of damage. Replaced the clutch disc while we were there as well as the AOS.

flmont · 03-27-2012, 08:42 PM

How much does it cost to have the IMS replaced on a 03' with 77K on it...any other issues we should know about, Iam thinking of buying a 03' Targa at around 24K...???? Thanks Frank

DaveBerry · DaveBerry's Garage

I have been researching this issue for my 2000 Carrera 2 with 34K miles.
A local shop quoted me $2400 to just replace the IMS with the LNE upgrade.
It seems that it costs about the same to do a clutch replacement along with the LNE upgrade. See my thread "Where to get the L&N IMS replaced?" below.
An independent shop near me quoted an extra grand to do the clutch, but one poster said the same shop charged him around $2400 to do clutch, AOS and LNE?
Go figure!

Halm · 03-28-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveBerry

A local shop quoted me $2400 to just replace the IMS with the LNE upgrade. . . but one poster said the same shop charged him around $2400 to do clutch, AOS and LNE? Go figure!

Agreed. From what I read and hear, $2,400 should include IMS, AOS, and clutch.

flmont · 03-28-2012, 03:11 PM

whats the AOS..??? Thanks Frank

DaveBerry · DaveBerry's Garage

I thought the same, but instead of getting flamed, I did a search.
AOS is Air Oil Separator. Do a search.....................

flmont · 03-29-2012, 12:48 PM

Ahh Just like my 944...never would have guessed that on a 911...But it is a water pumper Thanks

nolove670 · 03-29-2012, 03:21 PM

I am about to get a PPI done on a '05/997. Now I'm wondering if i should even buy a 997 because of this possible costly problem. Any thoughts?

Halm · 03-29-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolove670

I am about to get a PPI done on a '05/997. Now I'm wondering if i should even buy a 997 because of this possible costly problem. Any thoughts?

The only way to totally eliminate the worry is get a newer DFI car. These don't even have an IMS.

That said, I know lots of guys that track pre-DFI Caymans with no problems. And I bought my '99 with an '05 crate motor because of very, very few instances of the later engines failing.

IMHO, do your homework and enjoy!

flmont · 03-29-2012, 04:08 PM

what else can be a costly problem on these cars... ???? I am a hourly worker not sure if I could afford any other major issues,..I could live with 2400 but how much would a engine management computor cost..???? Thanks Frank

Halm · 03-29-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmont

what else can be a costly problem on these cars... ???? I am a hourly worker not sure if I could afford any other major issues,..I could live with 2400 but how much would a engine management computer cost..???? Thanks Frank

I think the best way to answer is for you not to think about fixing a $20k car (or whatever you pay) but rather you are fixing a high end $75+k sports car. In other words, just because you can afford the entry price, don't assume they are equally cheap to maintain. They depreciated for a reason.

If you want to see what used parts cost, go to DC Automotive and look around.

Hope this helps.

flmont · 03-29-2012, 05:34 PM

Halm,...Oh yes, I plan to do so...when I see them jet off from a traffic light ....I think damn those are sweet...I know i can fix the 1974-1989's 911's but these new ones, well....I know I cant .I wish they were built like the old ones.......LOL Thanks Frank

FPB111 · 03-29-2012, 08:27 PM

Put one of these in it. FLAT 6 INNOVATIONS :: Engine Failure Detection Systems :: IMS Guardian
Then do IMS when you do the clutch.
LNEngineering IMS kit = ~ $630
Clutch =~$450
AOS =~$130
Labor = aww get dirty DIY

flmont · 03-30-2012, 12:58 PM

I dont mind getting dirty, it's the (.. can I do it ) that concerns me !!! LOL isnt there a speical tool required... Frank

nolove670 · 04-08-2012, 12:52 AM

R there occurrences of IMS failure on 3.8 Carrera motor? Or is this only happening on the 3.6 motor

cnavarro · 04-13-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolove670

R there occurrences of IMS failure on 3.8 Carrera motor? Or is this only happening on the 3.6 motor

Yes, all models and years 97 through 08 are susceptible to failure, other than GT3, Turbo, and GT2 models. The M09 9A1 engine was completely new and doesn't share any of the problems of the previous M97/M97 engines.

FPB111 · 12:05 PM

Check out this thread
996 IMS, timing chain guide, transmission pinion bearing and misc items DIY project - Rennlist Discussion Forums

and this one read the whole thing:
First three weeks of ownership = Nightmare! - Rennlist Discussion Forums

IMS replacement thread with links to video
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/549133-im-going-in-alone-lne-retrofit-bearing.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HizA_VjBCWg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlonPu50oPE&feature=relmfu