atr911

I'll check tomorrow. No major play that I can recall. I'll take some pics it's entirely possible that it isn't an IMS. I'm just assuming so as it is chunks of ferrous metal that I'm finding.

jasonintoronto

As a 997 owner this thread freaks me out.

atr911

It probably should. I babied this car. Oil every 10k with Mann filters and syntec oil (recommended by LN Engineering). I didn't drive it like a grandma but I NEVER thought I'd have an issue with catastrophic failure. Thought that was all inflated Internet scare stuff.

For more than one reason, I think I'm heading back to air cooled cars until I can afford a GT3 or to trade in every 4 years.

Motors were properly built. Cranks balanced, quality connecting rods and hardware, even the potential of a top end rebuild to replace head studs on the air cooled motors seems cheap compared to complete engine failure in a 997/996.

Pardon my negativity. I'm just still kinda crushed by my dream car turning into a nightmare that is breaking me financially.

jumper5836

I got a good ten years out of my 3.6l as a daily driver and track. I have to rebuild the engine now but if I had known that I would have to rebuild it I should have gotten a 964 and eventually bought a gt3 years later when prices dropped. I have to look at it now as if the $ to rebuild, I'll have a car that will last another 10 years and probably longer if I don't track it.

I think going with the older car is a good idea. They are much more raw and fun even though speeds are not as fast it is a much better car to hone your skills on before moving to a GT3.

renntech

Not sure if you heard Adam but my 996 engine finally went 198500 kms on it and completely stock motor no upgrades and 95 % track. I was thinking of going 997 but now i am not sure what i am going to do as i have sold the car and most of my track stuff.

atr911

I think one option if you want to spend the money is to send the car to flat6innovations. They'll rebuild to a much higher spec. Welding the ims, revolting and boring the cylinders (Porsche cheaper out here and these guys nickasil them) and balancing the crank. They also replace the pistons and rods.

They were saying that their cars get 50 more horse at the wheels and should last as long as the old air coolers did. $22K.

Buy my car! $35,000 with the motor replaced!

jumper5836

Thats my plan, I'll have a 3.8l 996 when it gets done.

darth g-f

****!

I thought the IMS days were over. I was thinking of selling my 996TT with its bullet proof Metzger engine for a 997S. But now.... So is this the same type of failure that claimed many 996 N/A engines?

What makes the 2009+ engines safer?

swbatte

I feel sick.

Imo000

I've diggng info on the IMS, non stop, simce July. The 997 has the same IMS design as the 996. Only difference is the sieze of the bearing. It's larger but still only a single row ball bearing. The ball bearing is the problem. Porsche should have used a friction bearing. On the 996 forum, there is a picture of a failed one from 997. But don't get too over worked as the faliure rate, so far, is low. Maybe as low as tge double row, early 996s. From all the IMS bearing versions, the early, double rows are the strongest.

I'm replacing mine with a ceramic hybrid but it's not comming from LN.

Bob Rouleau

The 2009 engines are a total redesign and have no intermediate shaft nor the bearing. That's a hint I think.

BT ZR1

I sold my 997 for a 996 turbo. Nuf said.

atr911

Yeah. So far Porsche hasn't really impressed me with the early generations of any of their water cooled motors. I completely understand that the motor has some issues but catastrophic failure isn't acceptable at the rates that we've seen them.

I know some people down play the rate at which this is happening but try (I dare you) to find a used 997 motor. 3.6 or 3.8. They're impossible to find because they're getting picked up at such alarming rates due to failures. Some places even refuse to sell used M96 motors because there are too many that come back to bite them in the *** so they just rebuild them and offer warranty.

I've received 4 PMs from people asking where I got mine from because they couldn't find one.....

Its too bad it's hard to garner the sympathy of the general public or this would be a media problem for Porsche. Your average Joe isn't going to cry for the guy with the blown Porsche motor...

theiceman

Well tis is certainly a real problem for sure and not so much internet hype . i was just chatting with a lady i met at a work function last Friday and she didnt have much love for Porsche. her dream car she bought for like 100 grand in 2007 grenaded 5 months out of warranty and no support from Porsche whatsover. She had to pay to have the engine replaced and although she loves her car is reminded of how much she hates Porsche every time she gets in it.

Imo000

So....where DID you get the engine from?