View Poll Results: Has YOUR car suffered an IMS failure
Voters: 1591. You may not vote on this poll
IMS bearing failure for your 996, Y or N? tell us (yr, 996 Mk1 or MK2 failure mode)
#901
1999 996 no fail
i am a proud owner of a 1999 996 C4 Roadster with 151.000 kilometers and original IMSB. I learned that all mechanics, I asked for a replacement, recommended do not touch a well working 996.
#906
'99 at 100K. IMS was replaced at 81K weeks before I bought the car when one of the heads was replaced due to an intermix issue. I totally expected the car to go BOOM for the first year I owned it. 3 years/ ~19K miles later and after way more fun than I paid for, it runs like a top! I did add an X51 oil pan and pump, which made a huge difference in oil pressure on long sweeping turns.
#909
Instructor
Thicker oil
Vario-cam engines don't like thicker oils. My 2002 ran on 0w-40 and the bearing was fine at 90k. The original bearing is sealed. Porsche never approved 10w-×. Too much Zddp can harm your catalytic converter.
Last edited by NIACAL4NIA; 10-18-2017 at 10:20 PM.
#910
Pro
2003 C4 Tip, sold at 858xx kms, would be on its original IMS. I detected a layer of oil at the area between engine and gearbox from about 3 years ago. Didn't know whether that was from RMS or IMS. To know for sure I'd have to drop engine and gearbox and do all of the preventative maintenance that would have come up to $$$. I had spin-on oil adapter with magnetic sump plug. Both were checked at oil change time and were always clean.
#911
Advanced
I've got "Oils of viscosity 0W-40, 5w-40, 10w-40 and higher if they comply the ACEA A3 specification" in my Drivers Manual WKD 996 020 03 4/02.
I've been aware of the potential for cat damage but my 928 must have burnt 20 litres of oil and the cats are still fine.
I'm partly thinking a higher quality oil will help protect the bores. Also a bit sceptical thinking they may err towards thinner oils as a package to enable them to advertise better fuel economy.
#912
Instructor
9
Hi, could be different approvals in different territories.
I've got "Oils of viscosity 0W-40, 5w-40, 10w-40 and higher if they comply the ACEA A3 specification" in my Drivers Manual WKD 996 020 03 4/02.
I've been aware of the potential for cat damage but my 928 must have burnt 20 litres of oil and the cats are still fine.
I'm partly thinking a higher quality oil will help protect the bores. Also a bit sceptical thinking they may err towards thinner oils as a package to enable them to advertise better fuel economy.
I've got "Oils of viscosity 0W-40, 5w-40, 10w-40 and higher if they comply the ACEA A3 specification" in my Drivers Manual WKD 996 020 03 4/02.
I've been aware of the potential for cat damage but my 928 must have burnt 20 litres of oil and the cats are still fine.
I'm partly thinking a higher quality oil will help protect the bores. Also a bit sceptical thinking they may err towards thinner oils as a package to enable them to advertise better fuel economy.
#913
Advanced
Actually my 1986 Porsche 928 with 180K miles has been running on 20w-50 Dyno oil in California because it's a different engine than 996 and still has the original cats. 928 cats are not that sensitive compared to others and small amount of zddp helps the engine. Vario-cam plus engines are oil grade sensitive and if you live in a cold climate 10w-50 is a no no. Just pour some 10w-50 or 20w-50 in a cup and put it in the freezer. You'll get a yellow tar.
Even the Macan's happy on a 5W-50 here.