Has anyone ever used a scope to see if the IMS Bearing has been replaced? Is there room? I'm sure the IMS bearing cover would be identifiable for each manufacturer. If it was my car I'd be fine putting a 1/4 inch "weep-hole" in the right place to prove it. Even the LN Solution oil feed hole is at least 1/2 inch, right? Anyway, just a thought.

 

When I bought my first 996 in 2010, the PPI was at Autometrics, a well know race shop in SC. I asked them the same question. The answer was an emphatic NO. I think the issue is the flywheel. Too long ago to be sure. Maybe one of the DIY’ers here can confirm the obstacles.

 

Interesting. Maybe no room to see the bearing cover straight on, but if LN can run an 3/8" oil feed line in to the bearing cover then certainly a scope camera half the diameter would easily fit. I believe LN DIY'rs don't get a sticker or the other mfg'rs don't have a sticker program, so if I DIY a bearing I will take pictures and mark the sides of the bearing cover to prove it.

 

I had a '99 with a Porsche re-manufactured motor, including all the factory paperwork. That included the build date of December 15, 2005. I wanted to know if was the non-serviceable bearing. The only way to know is look at the nut on the plate. If it is 22mm, it the the final bearing design, non-serviceable. So I guess they needed a straight on look.

I would think that a picture of a DIY bearing and all its associated paperwork would be absolutely essential when you sell. For me the price delta between doing it myself versus resale with a respected shop receipt and sticker might might me rethink DIY.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

Installing the IMS Solution involves drilling the edge of the engine case for the oil feed line - it doesn't use an existing hole. You _could_ drill one yourself...

 

You could possibly remove the starter and snake a 4mm scope in there.. Not sure thats easier than dropping the transmission. LOL

 

The reluctor ring for the crank position sensor is under the starter gear ring and there will be no room to feed a scope down. BUT maybe, the gap in the reluctor ring is enough, if the crank position sensor is pulled, to push a scope down. I have no idea if removing the sensor is possible with the engine in the car. So this is just pure speculation on my part.

 

Hmm. I was thinking you could go through, and snake it around the side and work it close enough to see the flange..
Purely speculation.. they make bore tubes as small as 1.5MM but very narrow field of view..

 

if you ever drop the transmission to change the clutch, you can always remove the flywheel, inspect and remove the outer seal from the bearing so that it gets some splash oil in there. This method has been recommended before for 997 cars since you cant change the bearing without splitting the case. I would only recommend doing this is your car has a dual row bearing, but that is just my personal opinion.

 

FWIW,, if I'm in deep enough to have the engine and tranny out,, no way its going back in the car without a new rear main seal and probably a pilot, too cheap to leave a old one in there.. and in for a nickle as they say,, pulling the IMSB seal is trivial at that point..