View Poll Results: Has YOUR car suffered an IMS failure
Voters: 1715. You may not vote on this poll
IMS bearing failure for your 996, Y or N? tell us (yr, 996 Mk1 or MK2 failure mode)
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Oakville, Canada
Welcome to Rennlist.
Hope you've got your anti-flame suit on with your first post, this is a thread to list which year and if you've done the IMSB replacement, many, many, many other thread on the IMSB matter, it would be best to discuss in those threads.....
So, 1999 996 C4, IMSB not replaced, what mileage?
And it seems a missed opportunity when the RMS was replaced.
Hope you've got your anti-flame suit on with your first post, this is a thread to list which year and if you've done the IMSB replacement, many, many, many other thread on the IMSB matter, it would be best to discuss in those threads.....
So, 1999 996 C4, IMSB not replaced, what mileage?
And it seems a missed opportunity when the RMS was replaced.
So, what are the odds of getting one with a bad bearing? 100% 50/50? I am new as well but don't roll your eyes. This is a great form. I have always worked on my cars because I had to buy beaters. Never worked on a porsche. I'm not scared of basic stuff and some more technical repairs....but the IMS scares the crap out of me. I am looking at a 1999 911 Carrera 4. 24 service records and 1 owner. Previous owner replaced water pump, fuel pump, rear seals, window regulators, crank shaft position sensor in Nov of 2012. All done by the dealer that I talked to my self yesterday. But have not replaced the IMS.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 279
Likes: 9
From: SF Bay Area, CA
Your '99 has the dual row bearing (unless your engine was replaced) which is the more robust of the m96 IMS bearings.
As far as odds go, it's fair to say all will fail, just a question of when. About 7% of cars have experienced failure so far.
But if you are handy you can replace the IMS yourself. I did.
These cars are actually fairly reliable and afford amazing performance for the money.
But due to the potential expense of a failed IMS, replace it ASAP.
As far as odds go, it's fair to say all will fail, just a question of when. About 7% of cars have experienced failure so far.
But if you are handy you can replace the IMS yourself. I did.
These cars are actually fairly reliable and afford amazing performance for the money.
But due to the potential expense of a failed IMS, replace it ASAP.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 2
Need to add a failure. I already voted but at that time both of my 996's were fine, with the 2004 C2 having the LNE retrofit done at 75k while replacing the clutch.
But.... now my 2004 C4S has a failed IMSB at 37k miles. Routinely driven, perfectly maintained with oil changes at less then 5k mile intervals - last oil analysis 4K miles ago was fine.
There is good news to this story but I will either start a new thread or add to an existing one as to not gum up this poll. The poll will not allow me to vote again.
But.... now my 2004 C4S has a failed IMSB at 37k miles. Routinely driven, perfectly maintained with oil changes at less then 5k mile intervals - last oil analysis 4K miles ago was fine.
There is good news to this story but I will either start a new thread or add to an existing one as to not gum up this poll. The poll will not allow me to vote again.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
I need to change my initial diagnosis from IMS to oil starvation. So, final prognosis from Jake Raby @ Flat6 is my engine died because the excess sealant from the oil pan was sucked up by the oil pick-up restricting oil flow into the engine.
I have a new item to add to the list of my annual check up items. Drain oil, check oil pick-up for any debris. (and of course.... stare at pretty internals of my new Flat6 engine)
I have a new item to add to the list of my annual check up items. Drain oil, check oil pick-up for any debris. (and of course.... stare at pretty internals of my new Flat6 engine)
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
My 2001 C4 Cabriolet Tip has done 76,000 kms (47,000 miles), and so far no issues with IMS bearing. It's driven infrequently, but often to redline when brought to the boil. Oil changes at 10,000 km intervals. I noted some clean oil dripping from the axle onto the brake disc when a rear tyre was being replaced. Is this indicative of an imminent catastrophic failure?
Issues I've had include window regulator, main light switch, and a clunking from the suspension when reversing under full or near full lock.
Issues I've had include window regulator, main light switch, and a clunking from the suspension when reversing under full or near full lock.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Sussex,UK
My 98 104K experienced a 10 sec squeal on start up a couple of times, I dropped the oil and my magnetic sump plug was a ball of fuzz! Got to it just in time! The bearing was fine at 99K when I had a cracked head. Sorted bearing myself with kit from pelican. Relatively simple job. Recommend the kit from Pelican. The bearing was still intact but rough to turn and obviously shedding particles.
Track Day
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal
99 C4 have had it since 2004, bought it with 18K just had my clutch + AOS done for the first time at 139K - Daily driver.
Decided to replace IMS for piece of mind and found the IMS bearing to be in perfect shape, no play at all.
Decided to replace IMS for piece of mind and found the IMS bearing to be in perfect shape, no play at all.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
1999 C2, 95K miles... no problems yet!
Of course, due to my other project, (https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-my-996-a.html) I now have the motor out and available for sale... would make sense to finally replace it now before a new buyer installed it!
Of course, due to my other project, (https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-my-996-a.html) I now have the motor out and available for sale... would make sense to finally replace it now before a new buyer installed it!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Just a thought... with so many owners replacing the bearing preemptively, it would be interesting to know how many issues there COULD have been. Seems that only about 10% of cars had this problem, of course, a fatal issue. How much greater a number of failures would we have seen if everyone wasn't replacing it. Guess we will never know...