Heavier oil to protect IMS?
03-18-2012, 12:23 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Heavier oil to protect IMS?
Anyone know if using a heavier oil I.e. 20-50 vs. 0W 40 will protect the IMS? This was suggested by a Tampa Bay Porsche guru... Comments?
03-18-2012, 01:13 PM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Variocam II requires thinner oil. Only use Porsche-approved oils for your engine type.
03-18-2012, 10:22 PM
#4
Nordschleife Master
I don't understand. If the IMS is sealed and self lubricating as it's said to be, how can any oil poured into the engine make a difference?
03-18-2012, 11:48 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I think the concept is that a heavier oil doesn't "wash out" the grease of the IMS. Who knows right? Many opinions abound... but follow of the rule of "certain anatomical parts"... Right?
03-19-2012, 12:23 AM
#7
Nordschleife Master
Which would imply that the IMS really isn't sealed and self lubricating. If anything can be "washed out" of it, then there must be openings somewhere which makes it neither sealed, nor self lubricating. Would be interesting to hear the guru's own interpretation of this with some elaboration beyond the heavier oil suggestion.
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03-19-2012, 12:46 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Which would imply that the IMS really isn't sealed and self lubricating. If anything can be "washed out" of it, then there must be openings somewhere which makes it neither sealed, nor self lubricating. Would be interesting to hear the guru's own interpretation of this with some elaboration beyond the heavier oil suggestion.
03-19-2012, 12:49 AM
#9
Race Director
03-19-2012, 02:13 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
I asked the same question from our local head Porsche mechanic who is the ONLY one certified in our province to repair and rebuild 997 engines.
He was ADAMANT NOT TO USE 0W40! He basically was F*ing off the promotion of 0W40 by Porsche (mainly for max fuel economy), and said that's the main cause of issues, not only because of the weight, but also because of low zinc content. He recommends the Motul 5W40 (Porsche Approved), as the one to use (same oil as LN Engineering recommends).
On another note, he said if you got pre-2005 model with old bearing, it IS going to fail sooner or later and recommended folks to just bite the bullet, do a $2000 IMS upgrade and prevent a $20K damage, however he said for post-2006 cars the failure is so low (none he's seen in our city), that just by using good oil and right maintenance it should be fine for the life of the car.
I've heard and read many things and there are conflicting reports, but bottom line is, use 5-40 oil, pre-2005 upgrade IMS, and for post 2006, don't worry about it as long as you do proper maintenance.
PS. I just saw you're from Vancouver
if you want the name of the guy, let me know...
He was ADAMANT NOT TO USE 0W40! He basically was F*ing off the promotion of 0W40 by Porsche (mainly for max fuel economy), and said that's the main cause of issues, not only because of the weight, but also because of low zinc content. He recommends the Motul 5W40 (Porsche Approved), as the one to use (same oil as LN Engineering recommends).
On another note, he said if you got pre-2005 model with old bearing, it IS going to fail sooner or later and recommended folks to just bite the bullet, do a $2000 IMS upgrade and prevent a $20K damage, however he said for post-2006 cars the failure is so low (none he's seen in our city), that just by using good oil and right maintenance it should be fine for the life of the car.
I've heard and read many things and there are conflicting reports, but bottom line is, use 5-40 oil, pre-2005 upgrade IMS, and for post 2006, don't worry about it as long as you do proper maintenance.
PS. I just saw you're from Vancouver
if you want the name of the guy, let me know...
03-19-2012, 05:48 AM
#11
RL Technical Advisor
I asked the same question from our local head Porsche mechanic who is the ONLY one certified in our province to repair and rebuild 997 engines.
He was ADAMANT NOT TO USE 0W40! He basically was F*ing off the promotion of 0W40 by Porsche (mainly for max fuel economy), and said that's the main cause of issues, not only because of the weight, but also because of low zinc content. He recommends the Motul 5W40 (Porsche Approved), as the one to use (same oil as LN Engineering recommends).
On another note, he said if you got pre-2005 model with old bearing, it IS going to fail sooner or later and recommended folks to just bite the bullet, do a $2000 IMS upgrade and prevent a $20K damage, however he said for post-2006 cars the failure is so low (none he's seen in our city), that just by using good oil and right maintenance it should be fine for the life of the car.
I've heard and read many things and there are conflicting reports, but bottom line is, use 5-40 oil, pre-2005 upgrade IMS, and for post 2006, don't worry about it as long as you do proper maintenance.
PS. I just saw you're from Vancouver if you want the name of the guy, let me know...
He was ADAMANT NOT TO USE 0W40! He basically was F*ing off the promotion of 0W40 by Porsche (mainly for max fuel economy), and said that's the main cause of issues, not only because of the weight, but also because of low zinc content. He recommends the Motul 5W40 (Porsche Approved), as the one to use (same oil as LN Engineering recommends).
On another note, he said if you got pre-2005 model with old bearing, it IS going to fail sooner or later and recommended folks to just bite the bullet, do a $2000 IMS upgrade and prevent a $20K damage, however he said for post-2006 cars the failure is so low (none he's seen in our city), that just by using good oil and right maintenance it should be fine for the life of the car.
I've heard and read many things and there are conflicting reports, but bottom line is, use 5-40 oil, pre-2005 upgrade IMS, and for post 2006, don't worry about it as long as you do proper maintenance.
PS. I just saw you're from Vancouver
if you want the name of the guy, let me know...I would also recommend 5K oil changes as well as oil filter monitoring.
03-19-2012, 11:05 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks. I'll use 5W 40 next time. Swapped out the oil yesterday with 0W 40, without ramps. Definately tighter and messier without the ramps but very doable and one less step. For first time with help of son took 1 hour start to finish, cleanup in. Possibly 1 - 2 small metal flakes in the canister and really nothing in the cut open filter. All good. Enigine noticably happier. Bonus point: son interested in engines now...
03-19-2012, 01:38 PM
#13
I asked the same question from our local head Porsche mechanic who is the ONLY one certified in our province to repair and rebuild 997 engines.
He was ADAMANT NOT TO USE 0W40! He basically was F*ing off the promotion of 0W40 by Porsche (mainly for max fuel economy), and said that's the main cause of issues, not only because of the weight, but also because of low zinc content. He recommends the Motul 5W40 (Porsche Approved), as the one to use (same oil as LN Engineering recommends).
On another note, he said if you got pre-2005 model with old bearing, it IS going to fail sooner or later and recommended folks to just bite the bullet, do a $2000 IMS upgrade and prevent a $20K damage, however he said for post-2006 cars the failure is so low (none he's seen in our city), that just by using good oil and right maintenance it should be fine for the life of the car.
I've heard and read many things and there are conflicting reports, but bottom line is, use 5-40 oil, pre-2005 upgrade IMS, and for post 2006, don't worry about it as long as you do proper maintenance.
PS. I just saw you're from Vancouver if you want the name of the guy, let me know...
He was ADAMANT NOT TO USE 0W40! He basically was F*ing off the promotion of 0W40 by Porsche (mainly for max fuel economy), and said that's the main cause of issues, not only because of the weight, but also because of low zinc content. He recommends the Motul 5W40 (Porsche Approved), as the one to use (same oil as LN Engineering recommends).
On another note, he said if you got pre-2005 model with old bearing, it IS going to fail sooner or later and recommended folks to just bite the bullet, do a $2000 IMS upgrade and prevent a $20K damage, however he said for post-2006 cars the failure is so low (none he's seen in our city), that just by using good oil and right maintenance it should be fine for the life of the car.
I've heard and read many things and there are conflicting reports, but bottom line is, use 5-40 oil, pre-2005 upgrade IMS, and for post 2006, don't worry about it as long as you do proper maintenance.
PS. I just saw you're from Vancouver
if you want the name of the guy, let me know...I don't understand "pre-2005". I thought the same bearing was used in the 3.6 996 up to EOY 2005 997. So I have a 2005 3.6. Does it have the same bearing as the mechanic was referring to?
03-19-2012, 03:50 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
You most probably have the old bearings... there was another thread trying to decipher the EXACT month/year of transition and basically it looks like all 2006 build dates have the new bearings, and most 2005 build dates, the old.