vbcracer

2000 996 C2 Coupe. Replaced IMSB today at 54K miles. Replaced with LN Eng.
Bearing. No prior indication of a problem but bearing was near failure as indicated by rough spots and slight binding as it was rotated by hand after removal. Also, found small amount of very fine metal particals in the bottom of the oil filter cover, but nothing in the filter itself.

Detz

1999 C2, 45k on original IMS with no issues.

Thinking about install update if I go DE'ing

Varianti

2002 996 3.6 cab 52k miles.
IMSB failure.
First signs: sometimes blue smoke driving steep up hill; blue smoke for couple of seconds after cold start. Eventually metal noise from engine.
First repair: replace bearing --> timing off
Second repair: opened engine and checked pistons. Changed piston rings.
Cost: $17,000

scorchpa

Was this actually diagnosed as an IMSB failure? Sure doesn't sound like it (from what I've read).

Schnel

1999 C4, 87k miles, preventative replacement of Dual Row with LN engineering, original bearing appeared to be in perfect condition.

silvergray951

2004 C4S 84k miles. Original bearing, no signs of imminent failure. I have just bought the car so I am keeping a close eye on the magnetic oil drain plug I bought. Plan to DIY the bearing change, probably to TuneRS DIRECT OIL FEED (DOF) or Brombacher IMS kit this fall.

Porque

No IMS failure here. My 2000 996 C2 died at 46,000 of an intermix due to a cracked 1-3 head before it could develop an issue with the IMS, cylinder ovaling, D chunking, timing chain failure, or any of the 22 other documented forms of early engine failure. Mine was repairable. $12,000 later I had a sell-able vehicle. Took the remaining equity and bought a Mezger engine Porsche, a different kind of fun. Not indestructible but vastly more reliable. 69,000 miles on my 03 996tt and still drives like new.

Porque
03 996tt (current)
00 996 C2 (past)

Hurdigurdiman

obviously piston ring wear and not IMS.

SHNEL 1999 C4, 87k miles, preventative replacement of Dual Row with LN engineering, original bearing appeared to be in perfect condition.
What did you expect with a 1999 double race bearing?????

BTERRY1

2003 42k. Replaced as preventative with retrofit. Original was perfectly fine.

LesField

72K miles RMS leak, everything else fine.

RJHerrmann

45K miles. First IMS failure at 21,800 miles and replaced by Porsche with a factory crate engine in 2001. Second IMS failure at 45K miles last week. The nut sheared off and caused oil to leak down out of the bearing. Both times the car was using OEM parts, without a retrofit. Was told at the time that the IMS bearing issue was resolved, clearly not the case. Going to have engine rebuilt with upgraded everything, including the LN Engineering IMS retrofit.

So, my 1999 Carrera C4 Cabrio has been hit TWICE by the same issue on a car that has been meticulously maintained and serviced. If the third engine tanks I am going to put lighter fluid on it and set it ablaze and will never buy another Porsche, period.

sparks259

2000 996, 50k miles cut open filter=clean as a whistle, original rms/ims.
only repairs to date : expansion tank, cpu ( warranty ).

NIACAL4NIA

2002 996 6speed 84000 miles no ims or engine failure, still original clutch. I replaced ignition switch $14, brake switch $29, cracked coolant tank $120, battery $90 , tires and maintenane (Mobil synthetic 0w-40 one a year). I'll inspect the ims during clutch. You should own a Porsche if either rich or a DIY, cuz driving a Porsche under paranoia is not fun and you'd better owning a no headache Toyota Corolla.

1 PGH 1

Have about 22,000 mile on my '02 Targa, but have only put on about 1,000 miles per year for the last 9 years ... yeah, gotta drive it more.
Anyways, a bit of a garage queen so with the low miles and single row bearing thought I should do the upgrade.
Installed the new LN dual-row Pro bearing (for 3.6l engines). Original was in perfect condition, which I was actually very happy about - fun paperweight now on my desk. AOS was still good and clutch looked like new so did not change. Water pump (apparently another potential trouble spot as they age) was starting to seep so changed that out at the same time. RMS changed at the dealer previously and still good.
Great to have the piece of mind. Voted no issues on the poll.

mklein9

2002 996 C2. Purchased used Nov 2012 with 28k miles. PPI found metal shavings in filter, deemed to be IMSB failing. Seller paid for replacement with LN Engineering bearing.

Thought that all was good; clean oil filters for the next 12k miles. However the shop did not clean out metal debris, did not follow directions from LN Engineering to qualify engine before replacing IMSB.

More metal shavings in filter at 40k, Jan 2014. Installed mag drain plug, drove another 500 miles -- massive metal shavings. Shipped car to Flat6 (Jake Raby), diagnosed as impending IMSB and main/rod bearing failure along with multiple locations of other wear; engine on verge of catastrophic failure due to debris from previous incompetent replacement.

Installed IMS Solution, repaired all other damaged parts of the engine after full teardown and clean out. Cost: $15k plus $2k of previous (incompetent) IMSB replacement.