INCONEL

Hmm, my 2006 997S just hit 55k...

soverystout

yeah, but this doesn't make up for many 996 owners who got "the shaft"

I changed the oil in my 03 996 on Sunday. I cut open the filter to find small pieces of black plastic that look to be seal material. My car is at my indy as I type this for a LN IMS retrofit. Better to be safe than really sorry, and broke.

McCulla

I don't think anyone is too concerned about the RMS but the IMS is a bigger deal.

JohnnyBahamas

Oh sheet, my bad.

I'll work on my reading comprehension.

Hopefully a moderator will be kind enough to remove my errant vote of 'YES'.

911SLOW

Removed.

mgerber

'08 997 C4S 12K miles no IMS failure
'07 Boxster S 8K miles no IMS failure

Fahrer

It looks like you caught it just in time!

ajayabb

2005 C2 with 60k miles....No issues

pv355

2008 C2S, 45k miles, no IMS failure

mleddy

2009 C4S 20k miles no failure

Khyron403

Has there been any real issue with the LN IMS replacement failing (after time) or is that pretty much considered a fix that will last the life of the engine? Or as mentioned previously, something that should be considered to replace every 50k miles?

I'm searching for a 06-08 S but the thought of a 20k engine repair (even at 1-5% odds) is frightening. I could foot the bill but I'd never hear the end of it from the wife.

Even if there was some standard that Porsche would pay for half, or whatever - at least something that could be planned for.

docfink

2006 C4S X51 now with 34,700 miles.
No IMS Failure
RMS leak at 26,000 miles noted at CPO check immediately prior to my purchase; Porsche repaired under warranty.

AYHSMB

There was just a thread about some LN IMS failures in the 996 board. But realistically it's far more likely to have some other type of engine failure.

Maybe you know this, but to be clear, the LN fix does not apply to those years, they have a better OEM bearing and no LN upgrade is possible.

Regardless of IMS, there are various other failure modes of these engines. You need to either have the savings and be ready to "self insure" or just get an extended warranty for piece of mind. CPO is probably the best option if possible.

Yes, Porsche often picks up the majority of the bill; unfortunately they are very inconsistent about it.

Palmbeacher

LN has been backpedaling on the longevity claims of late, and now even admits to several failures of their single-race bearing. It's nothing against Charles, he's always been measured in his approach, at least by comparison with the other chap who tends rather more hyperbolic at times. From a legal standpoint, LN is wise to disclaimer conservatively.

That said, these are mechanical parts, and as such subject to outliers and defects. LN can't help it if these engines are designed such that failure of a single bearing is sufficient to cause sudden and catastrophic damage. They also can't be privy to every installation...whether an engine is already loaded with metallic debris from failing internals, that will find its way into the open LN bearing and chew it to pieces...or whether an installer follows meticulous protocol or mandhandles the job. All we can say is that at present, the LN bearing is surely the best best going.

And that said, the problem is that a directive to change the bearing every so-many miles is not an effecacious protocol, because these bearings (including the LN) seem to fail suddenly rather than wear-out gradually. Complicating the issue further is that their IMS Guardian recognises only ferrous debris, and the single-race LN bearing until recently had a plastic ball cage...which is what failed in the one case LN could determine the precise cause.

The labour to inspect and/or change the bearing is such that for those who are not DIY guys, it tends to get done in concert with a clutch overhaul. And for those of us who do not mistreat the clutch, that really isn't an every-50K-mile proposition...in fact, in all my years with so-called performance autos, I've never had to replace a clutch, even at upwards of 150K miles. "Thankfully" the previous owner of my 997 was murder on the clutch, so it was about 50% gone at 30K. My IMS bearing was fine, but I put in the LN replacement anyway. Now I'm thinking perhaps I jumped the gun...should've perhaps borne with the stiff clutch pedal a while longer, in time to get the revised LN bearing with the steel cage, and a Guardian.

Or perhaps I need to either sell the car or write myself a scrip for Prozac

saint828

2006 997s 61k no IMS failure.