I'm purchasing a 2002 C2 cab this Saturday. The engine had coolant problems and was replaced under extended warranty, porsche factory crate engine, in 2011. Based on what I've read about IMS/RMS, this issue was addressed by porsche in 2005, making it a non-issue. Is it safe to assume this engine won't be ask risk for these failures? Also, the engine was replaced < 30k miles ago along with a new clutch while they had the engine out, which is definitely a plus in my book!

Additional, I assume things like the motor mounts and serpentine belt come new with the crate engine. Since the car technology has about 70k miles, those types of thing might need replacing in the near future if not.

Thanks, looking forward to finally picking up my own porsche in just a few days!

 

The larger post 2005 IMS does not make it a non issue but it makes it much less of an issue. Probably around 1%. Enjoy the new car and post pics or it didn't happen.

 

The IMS bearing is the new larger bearing which, as suggested above, might have a 1% or so failure rate. Much less problematic than the prior generation bearing.

The new crate engine does not mean that all of the accessory items were new. It would be likely that the water pump, belt, and spark plug coils are new, but not necessarily the motor mounts, starter, AOS?, etc.

I received a printout of all of the parts and pieces that were included in the rebuild of my C4's engine (not a crate engine like your's). Maybe Porsche could provide you with this for your car.

 

You're very lucky to have reman 3.6l factory engine
It comes with everything new and lots of improvements even over the 997.1 3.6l engine
It includes everything except the AC. Even the aos, water pump, alternator, starter etc are new

Google "failure 996 re manufactured engine" Or replacement engine failure 996 and I couldn't find any failures documented

 

Seems to me that it would be essentially a 997.1 engine. Are they fitting 9A1 engines as replacements in 996s?

 

I don't think your engine came with new mounts. Maybe someone smarter than me can confirm this. These replacement engines usually don't come with very much.

b-man

 

Thanks for the information! Good to know risk of an IMS failure will be extremely low.

To provide some additional information, the invoice for replacement specifies a part number of 996-100-995-DX, description 3.6L 05 Car 996. This was done in 2011, but seems like a 2005 motor based on the description. I've found different people saying their replacement came with accessories, etc. all brand new but others are stating most (including belts) were moved over from old engine to the new one during replacement, which seems a bit odd to me.

 

No smartie
A reman 3.6 made in 2008 and beyond started to have improved parts in it from even when they started remanufacturing them circa 2005 but not a 9a1

 

This was mine

 

I had a crate engine installed in 2013 and it was complete with the exception of the A/C compressor. No new motor mounts. Then engine and all accessories covered for 2 years unlimited mileage.

I recently had a charging issue which turned out to be a bad cable, that was 100% covered by the replacement engine warranty.

I never received an itemized bill, simply stated a Porsche remanufactured engine, the labor charge, and coolant. The engine was "donated" by Porsche.

 

You need to look at the engine serial number (and post) to be sure, but I strongly believe the replacement engine is just a 2000 to 2003 996 engine.

The remanufactured engine can be an engine that failed on the engine test stand in the engine assembly factory, or was returned under warranty and remanufactured. Thus the engine could be the 1st M996 engine built or the last.

It has possibly some improved hardware, maybe the chain tensioners, if say this was why the engine was returned to the factory in the first place.

But it will not a later model with any of the improvements Porsche implemented at the IMSB or anywhere else.

As for the belt, if you do not have paper work the belt was replaced when the engine was installed or afterwards as part of the car's scheduled servicing budget to replace the belt. If you are handy with auto repairs you can do you this yourself, but it is not expensive to have done. And you will pay some sum of money to have the car towed should the belt break on the road.

For the motor mounts if they are showing signs of deterioration have them replaced. Otherwise drive on.

 

I think it depends on when the remanufactured engine was remanufactured or reassembled.
The stock of old IMSB parts was used up/phased out back in the 2005-2006 timeframe.
So any engine remanufactured after that time should be using the newer IMSB (and other improved parts too), if for no other reason than that there are no older bearings for the factory to use.
Only the new bearings would be in stock at the factory.

Perhaps the engine serial number can give some clue as to when it was remanufactured.

 

Getting into a bit more research on this issue and actually just left a voice mail for the service department that did the replacement (not sure if they will talk to me or even have records from 2011). Based solely on the information I have, the replacement was done in 2011 and was a re-manufactured 2005 engine (3.6L 05 Car 996), from what I've read, the X in the part number means rebuilt.

 

Well, I can't dispute what you say.

It is possible all the suitable bearings were used up, although my experience in somewhat similar situations is when everyone thinks there are no more of a vital part or assembly someone always manages to turn some up.

But if this didn't happen at the Porsche factory, what the factory would do in this case is anyone's guess.

Even with engines that have not been remanufactured, that have not been opened up at any time after leaving the factory, it is not always possible to know for sure what bearing was used.

However, I'm not sure installing a larger or more robust bearing is a drop in with the factory stock 2000 to 2003 cases. There is also the question about the cam chain drive whether it is a single or double row chain and what role this plays in which bearing can be used.

The engine serial number will or should indicate the basic model of engine and when it was built. While I seriously doubt the engine is a newer model of 996 engine say from 2003 to 2005 or 2006 or even more recent, AFAIK no one can say whether it does or does not have any improved bearing.

In short, my impression is what internals the remanufactured engine left the factory with only Porsche knows. Maybe.

Regardless, if the car otherwise checks out ok I would not reject the car for this. There is always I think the risk of the dreaded IMSB failure and of course we come back to the question of just what bearing is present in this engine so there is as best I can tell no way to really know if the bearing is a high risk style or a low risk style so if the buyer feels it necessary for his peace of mind he can explore what is available from the aftermarket world to perhaps reduce the risk. Should he elect to go this route, he has to be prepared to discover after exposing the IMSB that it can't be upgraded with an aftermarket bearing, but maybe this will of some comfort if this un-upgradable bearing is the better factory bearing.

 

Just got a call back from the service department which did the replacement and "there's no way to know which bearing" this engine contains without pulling it apart to visually confirm, they don't know when a crate engine is installed, only Porsche knows when it is assembled (good call Macster!). Based on the date of replacement, he believes it has the newer non-serviceable IMSB. I will try not to think about possible failure due to such low failure rates and given it cannot simply be replaced (based on the info I've found) preventatively.

Also, I was told the crate engine includes just about everything: water pump, plugs, etc. but not the serpentine belt, so I will go ahead and change it out to be on the safe side since I believe it is original. Thanks for all the information/advice everyone!