psperl

So i blew the motor in my new 996. I did not mis-shift, and the car was inspected and the oil was changed the day before.

The consensus seems to be that that it was an IMS failure.

I took a gamble on a cheap, early model, low-mileage 996 and lost. I'm glad I didn't purchase an aftermarket warranty, as the 30-day grace period wouldn't have been over yet, and then I would have been out the money for the warranty and an engine!

pszikla

Not sure what you want us to say.....I am sorry it happened to you but when you go racing you have to expect that anything can happen.

Paul 996

psperl,

sorry to hear about this. Happened to me nearly the same way on the track about 10 months back.

BTW: I am shopping for a engineless 996 to begin a race car project should you decide to move on.

Best of luck..

-Paul

pat056

I hate to hear it. There's someone that posted earlier this week looking to buy a 996 w/a blown motor.
Or get another motor and have an early model 996 with VERY low miles.
I'm not making light of your plight. IMHO, you've still got a Porsche, and that's still worth something. There's many threads on blown motors. It may help you decide what option is best for you.
Best of luck!!!

Tippy

This is a funny situation. Normally, everyone would of said, "ride out the storm", "it will be ok in the end". Not this time, Paul is on a mission.

Seriously, I feel as if the air-cooled guys (oh wait, I am one now) are trying to bring down the 996.

But if this is a legit post, I am really sorry to hear. I couldn't imagine the loss, it sure hurts the pocket book.

rost12

Not that IMS failure is racing related. I've had it happen as well, engine replaced under original manufacturer's warranty. Dealer's explanation for the failure was "it happens".

ElTorrente

What exactly happens when the shaft fails? I'm curious what/where it breaks and what it does to the motor.

Anyone have pics of the internals to show the aftermath?

Doug Donsbach

Search on IMS. It seems to get posted in every other thread about an engine blowing up.

UCrazyKid

There's a pic floating around. I'll see if I can find it...

EDIT:
Found it:


Its the crinkled tube.

Dan87951

Sorry to hear! Best of luck!

pat056

I saw that pic...not a pretty sight.

psperl

That pic of the blown IMS is really educational. All day I've been thinking, what the heck is an IMS anyway? Now I know. Thanks. Anyone know exactly what causes it to crinkle like that?

Current plans are to have the engine replaced with a straight drop-in crate motor. Thankfully these motors aren't super expensive as far as exotic motors go. Some part of me wants to put a 3.6 or 3.8 in, but another part of me doesn't want to pay for the extra cost involved, as this wasn't a planned for expense.

Paul 996

psperl,

I hear ya about the "pain". FWIW I went the 3.6 route instead of the 3.4. 3.8 can be done but needs even a bit more integration done to make it work. No real complaints on my end. If I didn't tell you about it you would think it is a peppier 3.4.

ElTorrente

Wow - scary stuff. Thanks for posting that.

As psperl asked, what is the serious events that leads to that crinkle?

psperl

May I ask you about the magnitude of the extra cost of the 3.6 upgrade? My real worry is that the 3.4L motor could blow again if there is a fundamental flaw in it that has not been corrected. Does anyone have any reason to suspect that these replacement 3.4 motors have been "fixed"?