somethingclever

title kind of says it all. I'm looking to buy a 997.1 with 100k on it, build date makes it likely but unkown if it has the serviceable IMS but no record of it being done. Having owned a high mileage 996 it seems like if the IMS was going to go it would have gone by 100k was the consensus, and I'm assuming bore scoring is somewhat the same?
I plan to ask for a DME report as part of the PPI but I'm wondering if it's worth doing leakdown?

BmacIL

Do the PPI so you know what you're starting from. Bore score is an eventuality but depending on its history could be prolonged quite a long time if driven and taken care of properly. As far as IMS bearing, do it when it's time for a clutch.

somethingclever

I guess bore scoping is the trick for the PPI, yes?

Tj40

Yes absolutely

groovzilla

My 2006 C4 has 107,000 miles
I bought it with 106K miles. Had PPI and through the Spark Plug Holes and cylinders are all clean - Car was garaged all it's life and feels/looks like new.
Make sure you get PPI & Bore Scope Inspection for sure.

Petza914

There is no safe mileage for a small single row IMS bearing - they can fail at 30k miles or 130k miles. At the current mileage plan to install a new clutch and the IMS solution into your purchase price. If when you get in there, you have the larger single row IMS, remove the outer grease seal, know you're good on the clutch for another 60-80k miles and enjoy the peace of mind, and your new car

groovzilla

Here is the Engine Serial# designation for the smaller more prone IMS Bearing and Larger more robust Bearing:

Engine#'s for IMS Bearing size:
The smaller IMS Bearing in the 3.8L motors are in motors up to M97/01 68509790 ---> Engine#'s from M97/01 68509791 forward have the larger revised more robust IMS Bearing.
For 3.6L motors, if the engine# s M96/05 69507476 and higher it has the larger more robust IMS bearing.

groovzilla

I also suggest you have your PPI & Bore Scope Inspection performed at Aker's Porsche on Capitol Hill.
They are my 37 year Porsche Specialist Indy shop and best around.

What year is the 997 you are looking at? Hw many miles and is it manual transmission?

somethingclever

It's in California, so I'm having that done down there. it's a 2005, 10X,000 miles, 6MT

somethingclever

Do you have some data on that? I've only been on the forums for a couple of years but I haven't heard of any IMS failures at 100K+

Unfortunately the previous owner did the clutch at 90K and for some dumb reason (unless it is the larger IMS) didn't do it at that time.

somethingclever

Thx I saw that in the stickies. Plan to check the engine number when it's PPI'd

Petza914

That's what Jake from FSI and Lee from Hartech have seen and posted about. They're both in a 997 Engine Builders group on Facebook

Charles Navarro

I'll add there is no "safe" mileage for an IMS bearing, however how the car has been driven and maintained does have a lot to do with how long the original lasts beyond the physical differences between all the factory IMS bearings.

Even if the car has the non-serviceable IMS, it still needs to have the grease seal removed as part of preventative maintenance.

https://lnengineering.com/products/t...s-bearing.html

Charles Navarro

In my opinion, leakdown and compression numbers are not as important as bore scoping the engine for scoring. Can't hurt to do those tests as well, but bore scoping is more important. I've seen engines with good leakdown and compression numbers have bore scoring.

All PPIs should also include a manometer test on these engines to ensure you have a value of 4-6" of h2o.

groovzilla

Was just about to Post a Thread---->Cam Deviation is becoming more frequent especially in the Cayenne's.