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Hello,
Had asked a garage to have the IMS bearing upgraded to an oil-fed one. They say that the factory bearing is bigger than the tunnel, and the pull tool is not able to drag it out. Apparently, the best option is to have the engine out. Which, I'm opposed to. Here's a pic. This engine has a bigger bearing (~62mm), are there special tools need to replace the IMS?
If it really is the larger bearing, remove the grease seal.
Removing the seal is controversial. I would not do it because it opens the bearing to debris, search this forum and check what people find in their oil filters. That can also get in the bearing if you remove the seal. If it turns smooth, I would do nothing, just put it back.
Removing the seal is controversial. I would not do it because it opens the bearing to debris, search this forum and check what people find in their oil filters. That can also get in the bearing if you remove the seal. If it turns smooth, I would do nothing, just put it back.
Fair enough. I look at the sources and it seems the folks I trust are recommending removal. Also, the vast majority of the replacement bearings are open. Change your oil on schedule and you should be good.
Full disclosure: I'm running an open bearing (no seals on either side) in my 997.
Hello,
Had asked a garage to have the IMS bearing upgraded to an oil-fed one. They say that the factory bearing is bigger than the tunnel, and the pull tool is not able to drag it out. Apparently, the best option is to have the engine out. Which, I'm opposed to. Here's a pic. This engine has a bigger bearing (~62mm), are there special tools need to replace the IMS?
I'm surprised the shop you are dealing with doesn't know about the non-serviceable larger IMS bearing. In order to replace those you have to disassemble the entire engine and split the engine cases. Also, the larger bearing will last the life of the car with proper oil/filter changes. This whole scenario does not speak well for the shop you are dealing with. In other words, they should already know this.
Fair enough. I look at the sources and it seems the folks I trust are recommending removal. Also, the vast majority of the replacement bearings are open. Change your oil on schedule and you should be good.
Full disclosure: I'm running an open bearing (no seals on either side) in my 997.
Something I always wondered....if you can't remove the bearing, how do you remove the seal from both sides?
I hope I'm reading it wrong, but if they used a puller on the bearing in the process of discovering it won't come out, I'd be very concerned about damage to the bearing.
I hope I'm reading it wrong, but if they used a puller on the bearing in the process of discovering it won't come out, I'd be very concerned about damage to the bearing.
That's an important question to ask.
It sure looks like an extraction was attempted.
I'm surprised the shop you are dealing with doesn't know about the non-serviceable larger IMS bearing. In order to replace those you have to disassemble the entire engine and split the engine cases. Also, the larger bearing will last the life of the car with proper oil/filter changes. This whole scenario does not speak well for the shop you are dealing with. In other words, they should already know this.
And yet someone appears to have notched the block in advance of installing an oil feed line.
Two curious questions come to mind.
What model and engine is this? (No 996 had this bearing originally)
And, what made you think you need to have an oil-fed IMSB? Any signs of IMSB going bad?
06-05-2020, 09:03 AM
2 C4 IMS bearing
