RickC44

I'm new to the world of Porsche. About 6 weeks ago after a lot of research I bought a 2002 Porsche 911 as is. I drove the car every day for well over a month and it ran beautifully. I started noticing a tiny little oil spot in my garage and suspected the dreaded IMS problem. I took the car into a local Indy for a top down service / diagnosis. When I took the car in it was running perfectly.

They did diagnose the very beginnings of an IMS problem due to some shavings found in the filter. While they were removing the transmission, they suggested replacing the clutch which did have some wear but was operating perfectly. Again, not a necessary repair at all but I authorized proceeding.

They called me today stating they put everything back together but now the car isn’t firing well which was not at all a problem that was occurring before bringing it in nor was it a problem they diagnosed during their extensive service. Since they made the major IMS repair they have not been able to get the car to run correctly which, again, was not a problem going in and was never a problem in any of their diagnosis. They have told me this new issue is replacement of the intake lifeter on 1 bank and they want another $3600. I am thinking I'm getting a snow job and this newest problem, which didn't exist before, should be there's to resolve. Any opinions from the group? Thanks in advance.

C4CRNA

What is the year and mileage of this car you say you have.
Has the un-named shop done a lot of IMS replacements?

I think they screwed up your cam timing

washington dc porsche

IMO, the drop of oil was from the RMS not IMS. Good luck.

RickC44

It's a 2002 C4 with 67k miles. They have done many IMS replacements. They claim they drained the oil to do the IMS and after putting everything back together it's now showing the intake lifter issue. They did a number of tests showing everything else was fine (timing, compressions, etc). They told me they believe a metal shaving could be clogging it. Does this sound legit?

rpm's S2

Speculation like this is not helpful.

The question is how did the lifter go bad. Is that something that could be damaged during an IMS replacement bearing? Is this a common problem (not one I've heard of...)?

speed rII

+1

dotframe

I would have guessed the timing got screwed up as well.

RickC44

They said they thought the same thing but they tested the timing and it tested right on. The claim is the lifter was weak and when the oil was drained to do the IMS job it would not re-fill.

KrisKringle

Having just replaced a stuck lifter on my car, it does not sound like you have the same problem (I had misfires and occasional rough idle, car would run fine in between).
If it's rough through all regimes and hard to start, I would also expect timing.

Best of luck

San Rensho

Have them hook it up to the Duramteric to show you the timing is correct.

washington dc porsche

The only question I saw was 'any opinions from the group?' I gave my opinion. A drip of oil for the longest has been mostly related to rms not ims . My point is nothing was probably wrong with the IMS in the first place and the Indy probably changed the RMS while working on the clutch.

dcdrechsel

Is the Check Engine Light on ? If so what codes ?

Byprodriver

Lifters do get clogged with dirt but not overnight from a oil change. OP authorized the shop to replace IMS bearing & clutch & should not pay until that service is completed. (car should be running as well or better as it did when brought in) Do not consider any additional repairs until the 1st is completed. Go to the shop to verify cam timing is set properly & listen to the bad lifter.

RickC44

Check engine light was NOT on when I brought the car in. Not sure if it came on after they completed ims and clutch work. They're going in to see what caused lifter problem. If on them they will repair at no charge. If not it will be on me.

Flat6 Innovations

Its not uncommon to have more than one issue occurring.. Remember that if any material makes it past the oil filter from a failing IMS bearing that it will go directly to the lifters then clog them.

But get a second opinion~