IMS cocerns
02-01-2018, 08:02 PM
#1
2nd Gear
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IMS cocerns
Just purchased a 2008 Boxster base with 23000 miles. Am just finding out about the bearing proble m. Does this affect this model year also? What should I be concerned with? All responses appreciated. Stan
02-02-2018, 11:52 AM
#2
Racer
The later 2005 to 2008 M97 engines have a substantially stronger and larger IMS bearing than the M96 of early 2005 and older models and have an extremely low failure rate. This bodes well for your car. The downside is the bearing can't be removed without pulling the engine and cracking the case. The earlier M96 have a higher failure rate but the bearing can be replaced with the engine in the car. In 2009 Porsche went with a 100% brand new engine design, the 9A1 and the whole IMS bearing issue was eliminated.
I'm not an expert but everything I've read says enjoy your car, get a magnetic drain plug, change the oil and filter every 5K miles, inspect the filter and plug for ferrous material, but first and foremost drive, drive, drive.
I'm not an expert but everything I've read says enjoy your car, get a magnetic drain plug, change the oil and filter every 5K miles, inspect the filter and plug for ferrous material, but first and foremost drive, drive, drive.
02-02-2018, 01:12 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
The incidence of failure with a 2006-2008 M96 or M97 Engine as found in the Boxster, Cayman, and 911 that have the larger (but non-serviceable) IMS is highly unlikely. We would estimate about a 1% failure rate.
When you have your clutch replaced, it's best to have the grease seal removed off the original bearing to allow engine oil to better lubricate it. At that time, you can reseal the IMS flange and have the rear main seal replaced as well.
There is a black plastic seal on the front of the bearing - you would use a dental pick or something similar to pop the seal out of it's groove. Just be sure not to loose it in the engine when you do remove it. We don't have a how-to for this, but I found a short video on YouTube that shows seal removal on a ball bearing:
The larger bearing found in MY06-08 engines has the same load capacity as the early dual row, which have proven to be the most reliable of the factory bearings. I wouldn't worry too much about it after you pull the grease seal. There is no need for a direct oil feed for the factory ims bearing as the bearing will be submerged in engine oil once you have the grease seal removed.
When you have your clutch replaced, it's best to have the grease seal removed off the original bearing to allow engine oil to better lubricate it. At that time, you can reseal the IMS flange and have the rear main seal replaced as well.
There is a black plastic seal on the front of the bearing - you would use a dental pick or something similar to pop the seal out of it's groove. Just be sure not to loose it in the engine when you do remove it. We don't have a how-to for this, but I found a short video on YouTube that shows seal removal on a ball bearing:
The larger bearing found in MY06-08 engines has the same load capacity as the early dual row, which have proven to be the most reliable of the factory bearings. I wouldn't worry too much about it after you pull the grease seal. There is no need for a direct oil feed for the factory ims bearing as the bearing will be submerged in engine oil once you have the grease seal removed.
