tbshay

Had bad news for my '99 Boxster, metal in the oil pan. Is this the dreaded IMS issue? The chunks look different from other examples I've seen. Any advice appreciated.

NuttyProfessor

Check the metal and see if they're ferrous magnetic.

Shawn Stanford

From the pics I've seen, IMS failure is tiny flakes. Those look like gear teeth!

Geza

Looks like sprocket teeth - each piece it basically the same size. Lots of sprockets inside a Boxster engine - Good luck with it, hopefully it's not catastrophic.

tbshay

Thanks for the responses! I need to check with garage to see if they saved the pieces. But yeah, i agree doesn't look like IMS. Thanks for confirming

Porschetech3

Check scavenge pump drive, and exhaust cam gear (drive for scavenge pump).

ltusler

Looks like timing chain to me.

tbshay

It sure looks like a chain or sprocket. The engine seems to operate fine, no issues on the short drive home. Originally told it was IMS but that was before I saw the pictures. Trying to think what could break but still let the engine work normally???

ltusler

The engine is in the process of breaking, it will be broken soon. Do not run it anymore. Pull the oil pan and look inside.

tbshay

Thanks for the response. Agreed it is breaking, but it is a '99 boxster with 50K miles. If i can determine the issue and get an idea of how much to fix, that will give me the path forward. We thought IMS which is $$$ but if it is a less expensive issue there may be hope?

NuttyProfessor

OP, did you ever check and see if the metal chunks were magnetic? I agree if it's bearing material if will usually look like a fine silvery powder or small flakes, not chunks. But this metal could also be something that has broken loose and gotten chewed up in the motor. I wouldn't start the motor at this point or further damage could occur. I would tow it to a respected shop for closer analysis. Looks like rebuild is in the future.

dr914

if the engine only has 50 thousand miles the car itself must be quite nice. As long as the engine is still running should not be too expensive to repair

Macster

The metal bits look like machining swarf, aluminum. 'course, it would be nice to know if they are ferrous, If so that changes things. Maybe.

If the engine is not manifesting any scary noises and and the oil filter element is free of tiny ferrous "dust" those look like they could have been in the pan from the time the engine left the factory.