Doing clutch, not touching IMS
11-17-2018, 06:39 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Doing clutch, not touching IMS
So my clutch just went in my 01 C4 and I've decided to get a scan done to check the timing, have a good look at the IMS and see if its leaking, and if
all looks good, I'm not touching it. I'll get the clutch fixed and leave well enough alone.
I keep reading about all these owners that have replaced their IMS only to discover afterwards that the part they just pulled out was perfectly fine.
This car is my daily. Is driven hard, daily. And runs and sounds great. Oil is clear, etc etc. So I'm actually not worried about it.
Current mileage is 125,000km - and I have no service records on her. So no idea if its ever been changed.
all looks good, I'm not touching it. I'll get the clutch fixed and leave well enough alone.
I keep reading about all these owners that have replaced their IMS only to discover afterwards that the part they just pulled out was perfectly fine.
This car is my daily. Is driven hard, daily. And runs and sounds great. Oil is clear, etc etc. So I'm actually not worried about it.
Current mileage is 125,000km - and I have no service records on her. So no idea if its ever been changed.
11-17-2018, 06:59 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Hmmm.....i must question your judgement. I could understand not replacing the ims when no other repairs are being done. But if you are already that far in, the additional labor will be minimal and you will only pay for what ever part you choose (unless you go with the solution). To me the risk simply isnt worth the reward. You could look at as why pay the additional. But on the other side - if it were to fail you could easily be looking at 15k or more to have a shop put an engine in it.
11-17-2018, 07:15 PM
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I totally hear you. But, unless like you said, I go with the Solution, a $2500 Cad part, then a new ims isn't a guarantee either. The LN option is $1000 and when I read the long IMS forum I keep seeing the same thing, "original IMS looked good".
However, it doesn't come down to $$, but more perceived risk. My mechanic and I have seen many 996's and none have had a blown IMS, except one that had 25k on it and was literally driven by an
old lady. So where I go with that is, if the scan is good, and it looks and sounds good, then I'm not worried. Everyone's experience of course will be different, so many will probably disagree with my judgement, and I get that, but from where I sit, there may be no issue.
Tranny comes out tomorrow, so will see how everything looks.
However, it doesn't come down to $$, but more perceived risk. My mechanic and I have seen many 996's and none have had a blown IMS, except one that had 25k on it and was literally driven by an
old lady. So where I go with that is, if the scan is good, and it looks and sounds good, then I'm not worried. Everyone's experience of course will be different, so many will probably disagree with my judgement, and I get that, but from where I sit, there may be no issue.
Tranny comes out tomorrow, so will see how everything looks.
11-17-2018, 07:20 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Owning a 996 proves you are gambler by nature.
I like the odds.
Annual oil changes, get oil sample, watch cam deviation and drive the car.
If she blows build a monster 4.0L
This is my plan.
I like the odds.
Annual oil changes, get oil sample, watch cam deviation and drive the car.
If she blows build a monster 4.0L
This is my plan.
11-17-2018, 07:20 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
01's the most problematic year...I'd think twice about this if I where you. Also, knowing it's a wear item, now would be a good time to change it.
11-17-2018, 07:22 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
In most cases i agree with you. I too did my ims with an LN part. The original bearing i sent into to confirm my warranty was in perfect shape at 61,000 miles. But i disagree with the method of checking. Checking timing is not an indication of the health of the bearing. Timing can be perfect and the bearing fail tomorrow. Timing could be off and it be due to chain issues, tensioners, guides and numerous other issues. Telling the health of the bearing is only possible by removing it and disassembly which would be pointless. Obviously you could remive the cover plate and check for end play. But again, why go that far and not change a known failure part.
please no i am not arguing. Just trying to help with all perspectives.
please no i am not arguing. Just trying to help with all perspectives.
11-17-2018, 07:23 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
If I was in there on an 01, I would consider changing it. The reason? Because ball bearings age on every rotation. It's closer to end of life now. But I like your thinking. The only other thing would be to take the flange off and remove the grease shield on it.
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11-17-2018, 07:43 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
I agree with you. The IMS issue has been over-exploited by companies selling outrageously expensive solutions which are temporary fix.
11-17-2018, 08:33 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
oil changes? Good luck with that...
11-17-2018, 09:24 PM
#10
There is no way to properly inspect the ims without pulling it out completely . A visual from the flange cover off won’t tell you much
thing is once it’s out it can’t be put back in . So it’s a change anyway .
Its a wear item , that should be changed on a reasonable interval when it gets enough hours . Not a run to failure part .
There are lots of components in aircraft that are treated like this , if we maintained aircraft with a run to failure standard , we’d have crashes daily
even the cheap $200 pelican ims is better than hope and pray once you get enough hours on the bearing It’s intended to be swapped out with every clutch .
thing is once it’s out it can’t be put back in . So it’s a change anyway .
Its a wear item , that should be changed on a reasonable interval when it gets enough hours . Not a run to failure part .
There are lots of components in aircraft that are treated like this , if we maintained aircraft with a run to failure standard , we’d have crashes daily
even the cheap $200 pelican ims is better than hope and pray once you get enough hours on the bearing It’s intended to be swapped out with every clutch .
11-17-2018, 10:31 PM
#11
Mi two cents.
If you want peace of mind go with the pelican you will be sure that you will be fine for another 30,000 miles or more and it’s under $200.00
Take this from someone that just got his engine blown at 133,000k not IMS related but already spent over $10,000,00 and keeps claiming.
If you want peace of mind go with the pelican you will be sure that you will be fine for another 30,000 miles or more and it’s under $200.00
Take this from someone that just got his engine blown at 133,000k not IMS related but already spent over $10,000,00 and keeps claiming.
11-17-2018, 11:56 PM
#13
Shameful Thread Killer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
There is no way to properly inspect the ims without pulling it out completely . A visual from the flange cover off won’t tell you much
thing is once it’s out it can’t be put back in . So it’s a change anyway .
Its a wear item , that should be changed on a reasonable interval when it gets enough hours . Not a run to failure part .
There are lots of components in aircraft that are treated like this , if we maintained aircraft with a run to failure standard , we’d have crashes daily
even the cheap $200 pelican ims is better than hope and pray once you get enough hours on the bearing It’s intended to be swapped out with every clutch .
thing is once it’s out it can’t be put back in . So it’s a change anyway .
Its a wear item , that should be changed on a reasonable interval when it gets enough hours . Not a run to failure part .
There are lots of components in aircraft that are treated like this , if we maintained aircraft with a run to failure standard , we’d have crashes daily
even the cheap $200 pelican ims is better than hope and pray once you get enough hours on the bearing It’s intended to be swapped out with every clutch .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's the great thing about owning a Porsche. Risk - accepted. Not what I would do, but understand the thinking.
Get a full flow filter. Change oil often, and cut the filter each time. Do the oil analysis, and hope for the best.
11-18-2018, 12:26 AM
#15
I've owned 2 996's.
The first one, I drove on pins and needles. Constantly worried about the IMS, wondered which version of the bearing I had, questioned if the vague carfax notes were in relation to it, etc. It really stressed me out and ultimately I got rid of the car because of fear of what might happen. It was not an enjoyable first Porsche experience.
The second one I purchased full knowing what I was in for. I swapped out the bearing with an LN version, new OEM clutch, AOS, RMS, Flywheel, Fluids etc. before even taking possession of the car and I can tell you with 100% certainty it has been a far more enjoyable ownership experience having piece of mind that I've taken every precaution to keep the car in the best shape possible.
It's a might as well, while you're in there item. Just do it and move on. If you sell the car in the next few years it will pay for itself.
The first one, I drove on pins and needles. Constantly worried about the IMS, wondered which version of the bearing I had, questioned if the vague carfax notes were in relation to it, etc. It really stressed me out and ultimately I got rid of the car because of fear of what might happen. It was not an enjoyable first Porsche experience.
The second one I purchased full knowing what I was in for. I swapped out the bearing with an LN version, new OEM clutch, AOS, RMS, Flywheel, Fluids etc. before even taking possession of the car and I can tell you with 100% certainty it has been a far more enjoyable ownership experience having piece of mind that I've taken every precaution to keep the car in the best shape possible.
It's a might as well, while you're in there item. Just do it and move on. If you sell the car in the next few years it will pay for itself.
