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There shop said there were no pieces missing from the fins. I do trust them, as they're a long time Porsche shop with a great reputation. I can't check the motor, my car is sitting in the shop while I sort through my options (sell, rebuild, rebuild and modify).
Maybe ask them and they'll provide the info. It would be another good data point for us here.
There shop said there were no pieces missing from the fins. I do trust them, as they're a long time Porsche shop with a great reputation. I can't check the motor, my car is sitting in the shop while I sort through my options (sell, rebuild, rebuild and modify).
I hope your engine core is okay. It should not cost too much to tear down the engine to the point where they can have a pretty good idea whether it can be rebuilt using your existing engine case.
My M97 failed a little less catastrophically (bore score), and I was able to have Chris' German Auto rebuild it using LN Engineering replacement cylinder liners and various other key replacement parts including the IMS Solution. After analyzing my options, I figured this was the most economical (but not cheap) way out of the woods, especially since I planned to keep my car forever. It's now a 4.0 liter engine with all the usual M96/97 problems resolved and a lot of expensive wear issues (e.g., AOS, starter cable, water pump, clutch) resolved while everything was apart. I think of those things as "prepaid maintenance" which help to partially offset the shock of the rebuild costs, or at least $4,000 to $5,000 of them, so long as I keep the car a long time. I figure the rebuilt engine is actually *better* than new as the original built-in engineering problems have been addressed.
If the core is shot, either check into getting another engine case that can be reworked or consider an RND engine (i.e., essentially rebuilt by the LN Engineering folks).
I hope your engine core is okay. It should not cost too much to tear down the engine to the point where they can have a pretty good idea whether it can be rebuilt using your existing engine case.
My M97 failed a little less catastrophically (bore score), and I was able to have Chris' German Auto rebuild it using LN Engineering replacement cylinder liners and various other key replacement parts including the IMS Solution. After analyzing my options, I figured this was the most economical (but not cheap) way out of the woods, especially since I planned to keep my car forever. It's now a 4.0 liter engine with all the usual M96/97 problems resolved and a lot of expensive wear issues (e.g., AOS, starter cable, water pump, clutch) resolved while everything was apart. I think of those things as "prepaid maintenance" which help to partially offset the shock of the rebuild costs, or at least $4,000 to $5,000 of them, so long as I keep the car a long time. I figure the rebuilt engine is actually *better* than new as the original built-in engineering problems have been addressed.
If the core is shot, either check into getting another engine case that can be reworked or consider an RND engine (i.e., essentially rebuilt by the LN Engineering folks).
I hope it is as well. It was the least dramatic motor problem I've ever had, no noise, oil, smoke, it just quit running. Are you happy with the 4.0 build, and has it been reliable? My car is at Chris' now.
I hope it is as well. It was the least dramatic motor problem I've ever had, no noise, oil, smoke, it just quit running. Are you happy with the 4.0 build, and has it been reliable? My car is at Chris' now.
Very happy. 4.0l has not been a dramatic difference from the original 3.8l, assuming, of course, you ignore the horrible oil mileage and the risk of other catastrophic engine failure of the original 3.8l. I now have 5,000 miles on it, and I think it is still breaking in a little as both my gas mileage and oil mileage are still improving (both were good already when I first got it back). I may take it in for a dyno after another 5,000 miles to see how it all turned out. It feels like the engine that should have been in the car when the car was new. I was always a "buy and hold" type of guy, which gives me a shot of coming out in the long run. I helps that I already loved my car just like it is. We essentially upgraded everything that has been a known problem or an eventual wear problem.
2007 base C2 (3,6l) with 68,000 miles - in my tenure of 3 years and 18k+ miles I've done 10+ DE's, a racing school weekend, 10+ autox and several road trips. No IMS issue.
2005 997 3.8S MKI, 135,000 kms, no problems but the closed bearing will be replaced by an open C3 or C4 one and a little hole and groove will be made on the pomp side to give the bearing oil in all circumstances.
Also welded the two chain gears to the connecting tube and checked the IMS axle for straightness
I am glad this is here so that a new owner can see that only 6% have been affected
If I understand things well, 6% failure rate, but almost entirely year 2005.
I was originally planning on buying a 996, and had called the dealer service manager here in Ottawa Canada to ask about price. He quote the job, and I asked him if it was the same price for a 997. He replied that he had been a service manager at this dealer (Only Porsche dealer in Ottawa) for 12 years, and that IMS was not an issue with 997s 2006 and up.
Not arguing, but I ended-up thinking that 2006-up were not a problem. So, I'm glad I haven't purchased yet and will concentrate my search towards 2009-up.
So I am editing this reply cause I was thinking.... Is it possible that all this time, I was looking for a 997.1 2006-2008 to be on the safe side, and all this time, the smartest move to make is to buy a 2005 and get the IMS changed for a ceramic upgrade or the kit that also supplies the oil line.?!?
If I understand things well, 6% failure rate, but almost entirely year 2005.
I was originally planning on buying a 996, and had called the dealer service manager here in Ottawa Canada to ask about price. He quote the job, and I asked him if it was the same price for a 997. He replied that he had been a service manager at this dealer (Only Porsche dealer in Ottawa) for 12 years, and that IMS was not an issue with 997s 2006 and up.
Not arguing, but I ended-up thinking that 2006-up were not a problem. So, I'm glad I haven't purchased yet and will concentrate my search towards 2009-up.
So I am editing this reply cause I was thinking.... Is it possible that all this time, I was looking for a 997.1 2006-2008 to be on the safe side, and all this time, the smartest move to make is to buy a 2005 and get the IMS changed for a ceramic upgrade or the kit that also supplies the oil line.?!?
Is the ceramic bearing an upgrade? I read many statements claiming this but is it really true? One can say it is an alternative bearing. I believe the supplier recommends replacing the ceramic bearing every 30K miles? There are many folks who report changing out the original bearing for an "upgraded" bearing noting that the original bearing "looks like new" after many ( 30K, 50K, 80K, ?, etc.) miles.
One of my Caymans was a 2008 and I will admit the topic crossed my mind a few times, but I also owned the car until it ran out of warranty. Interesting when I went to a 2012, the salesman used the absence of IMS as a selling point.
Is the ceramic bearing an upgrade? I read many statements claiming this but is it really true? One can say it is an alternative bearing. I believe the supplier recommends replacing the ceramic bearing every 30K miles? There are many folks who report changing out the original bearing for an "upgraded" bearing noting that the original bearing "looks like new" after many ( 30K, 50K, 80K, ?, etc.) miles.
Actually, I was just making an observation and thinking out loud questioning my search for a 911. Best people to answer that question are the gurus on here that will most likely chime in soon. But thanks for asking, I am looking forward to the answer.
If I understand things well, 6% failure rate, but almost entirely year 2005.
I was originally planning on buying a 996, and had called the dealer service manager here in Ottawa Canada to ask about price. He quote the job, and I asked him if it was the same price for a 997. He replied that he had been a service manager at this dealer (Only Porsche dealer in Ottawa) for 12 years, and that IMS was not an issue with 997s 2006 and up.
Not arguing, but I ended-up thinking that 2006-up were not a problem. So, I'm glad I haven't purchased yet and will concentrate my search towards 2009-up.
So I am editing this reply cause I was thinking.... Is it possible that all this time, I was looking for a 997.1 2006-2008 to be on the safe side, and all this time, the smartest move to make is to buy a 2005 and get the IMS changed for a ceramic upgrade or the kit that also supplies the oil line.?!?
The 6% is of course only people who have replied to THIS poll. The real number is likely lower. 2006-2008 IMS failures are exceedingly rare - it does not keep me up at night owning at 2008 997.1. However, the failures that did occur, according to my research, happened on the track where oil starvation issues due to high lateral G forces caused lack of lubrication. So if you are going to be tracking your 997.1 hard, then look into preventive maintenance. Some will indeed say that the smartest buy is a 2005 with the IMS solution. But I don't fear an IMS failure with the updated bearings on the late model 997.1.
Is the ceramic bearing an upgrade? I read many statements claiming this but is it really true? One can say it is an alternative bearing. I believe the supplier recommends replacing the ceramic bearing every 30K miles? There are many folks who report changing out the original bearing for an "upgraded" bearing noting that the original bearing "looks like new" after many ( 30K, 50K, 80K, ?, etc.) miles.
I totally think this is a fair question and while I don’t think there is the data to support a 100% yes. I do however think that if those bearings failed you would hear about it, and you don’t. The basic design of the bearing is stronger and the ceramic is also much less prone to wear.
My thought is, every 997 is going to need a clutch and to me this is a super easy preventative if you have an early 2005. If you have a early/mid 2005 production date it is a crap shoot. Post mid-2005 you can remove the seal but you are basically stuck with that bearing unless you want to tear down the engine.
My early 05 has 48k miles so I am just doing the clutch early and doing the IMS at the same time as a preventative
I believe my 2005 Carrera S Launch Edition (50K km) is a good candidate for this failure
I was thinking of replacing with updated IMS bearing from LN engineering. Is it a good choice or should I be on the boat of " if It didn't happen by now, it won't" ?
11-11-2018, 11:31 AM
