Scared of IMS
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 36
I don't know if this is of any comfort to anybody, but I've been running the LN retrofit for two years now. If you're worried about a non-OEM solution being somehow inferior, it sure seems so far like that concern is unfounded (sample of one, YMMV, etc. etc. etc.).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa, Canada
I have the same questin, my car is a 2003 and the engine was replaced by Porsche in 2005 with a late 2005 engine.
Jake, you mention that MY 06 + cars have the newer update, would that mean that they just replaced my engine with a non-updated engine, or did they still make some sort of fix attempt?
Jake, you mention that MY 06 + cars have the newer update, would that mean that they just replaced my engine with a non-updated engine, or did they still make some sort of fix attempt?
Porsche Nut
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 172
From: CA
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,968
Likes: 2,342
From: Cleveland Georgia
ALL new and REMAN engines post 9/2005 have a NON SERVICEABLE IMS BEARING. It is larger than the access port in the case.
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,326
Likes: 30
by "nothing" you mean to replace without a complete engine tear down - BUT cant the seal ring be removed thru the IMS seal behind the flywheel? - and is that worthwhile "while your in there" doing a clutch or other work???
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Michael S. Palmer
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,968
Likes: 2,342
From: Cleveland Georgia
Since my engine was installed in late 2005, there is literally nothing that I can do?
Do you see a lot of new/reman engines with IMS problems
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 164
From: A twisty backroad in PA
Just pulled the trans out and it defiantly is the IMS leaking. The heart breaker of the thing is looks like the clutch was done within the last year or so. I ordered the retrofit kit and tools from ln today and also new clutch kit from vertex,can't see not replacing everything while I'm in there.
Did you pull the trans. yourself? Is this the first time you have ever attempted anything like this? How hard was it? Sorry for all the questions.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Northeastern Pa
I pulled the trans my self in my garage on jack stands, I was a mechanic a lifetime ago,overall it went smoother than expected,only surprise was how heavy the trans actually is. I'm waiting for parts now,if your curious to see pics/install of the bearing you can do a search on you-tube. There are several videos regarding the IMS.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 164
From: A twisty backroad in PA
I pulled the trans my self in my garage on jack stands, I was a mechanic a lifetime ago,overall it went smoother than expected,only surprise was how heavy the trans actually is. I'm waiting for parts now,if your curious to see pics/install of the bearing you can do a search on you-tube. There are several videos regarding the IMS.
In your 1st post you mentioned that you were experiencing oil drips on both sides of the cars center line, which if I am not mistaken would be more inclined to be the result of leaking spark plug tubes, cam covers, etc., and not an IMS/RMS leak.
BTW, I never asked to see pics of the install of the IMS bearing. Why would you mention that?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 164
From: A twisty backroad in PA
LN offers a warranty on the replacement bearing with some conditions.
I choose not to extend warranties because I know of five other failures that can appear to be IMS bearing failure, that simply are not. I tend to be an absolute vendor and stay away of situations where fine print and finger pointing can occur. Handling business in this manner is one way I have attained and maintained the reputation that we have. I tell potential customers that there are lots of other people who will offer them a nice warranty on a shiny piece of paper to gain their business, buts thats all they have to offer. I might lose one customer per year that inquires with us because we don't have a warranty.
Lots happened today with our new "system" for impending IMS bearing failures. This is going to be really good!
I am going to sacrifice the engine in my own 996 sometime in the next month to test the technology and see how long it takes after forecast for an engine to die. I hope it dies a violent death. This won't be the first engine we have broken purposely in the name of science, for sure!
I choose not to extend warranties because I know of five other failures that can appear to be IMS bearing failure, that simply are not. I tend to be an absolute vendor and stay away of situations where fine print and finger pointing can occur. Handling business in this manner is one way I have attained and maintained the reputation that we have. I tell potential customers that there are lots of other people who will offer them a nice warranty on a shiny piece of paper to gain their business, buts thats all they have to offer. I might lose one customer per year that inquires with us because we don't have a warranty.
Lots happened today with our new "system" for impending IMS bearing failures. This is going to be really good!
I am going to sacrifice the engine in my own 996 sometime in the next month to test the technology and see how long it takes after forecast for an engine to die. I hope it dies a violent death. This won't be the first engine we have broken purposely in the name of science, for sure!
You mention that there are five other engine failure modes which appear to be an IMS bearing failure. I think it is pretty safe to say that IMS failure occurs on a very small percentage of cars. So, if a percentage of these failures are misdiagnosed as IMS bearing failure then the actual number of IMS BEARING failures is an even smaller number than previously thought.
Also, your replacement bearing does not address the five other failure types, which still leaves your customers, who purchased your upgraded bearing, susceptible to these other types of failures.
