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I'm new to this forum and a new owner of a 2003 Porsche Cab. I spent several years researching and saving up the necessary funds to finally afford one of these nice sports cars, but of course, like most, I'm very concerned about all this talk about the catastrophic failures (e.g. IMS) that occur from owning one of the 996 Porsches. Fortunately, I bought a one-owner car and he took very great care of the car and only had Jim Ellis in Atlanta do all the service. He regularly changed the oil (Mobil 1 OW40 only) and spark plugs when needed and had Jim Ellis repair most of the more common problems such as the RMS. Apparently, the RMS that's on the car right now is the one that Porsche verified to be "solution". (It was changed three times until *they* got it right apparently). But what concerns me is that the IMS is the original and wondering if I'm driving a ticking time bomb. The thought of driving this on vacation and experiencing the dreaded IMS gives me nightmares. Not trying to drum up sympathy, but would value your thoughts on the matter. The car is at 72,000 miles and I just changed the oil yesterday and examined the oil filter and cup (see picture), but didn't notice any metal or foreign contaminants. What would you recommend at this stage in the game? Drive it and not worry? Or, get the IMS changed out asap? Thank you all for your expertise!
For peace of mind, do the IMS retrofit. It's been recommended to me to change out the IMS every 5 years and the Water Pump and AOS (Oil Separator) every 3.
Ok... I re-examined the outside of the filter (see picture) and noticed a small amount (maybe 10 max) of metallic flakes about the size of a tip of a pen. Thoughts?
For peace of mind, do the IMS retrofit. It's been recommended to me to change out the IMS every 5 years and the Water Pump and AOS (Oil Separator) every 3.
Thank you Slakker. I'll go and see when and if the original owner ever replaced those items. The temp stays locked at about 180 F. during normal driving and the coolant is a bright orange color with no discoloration. Is that normal?
A small number of non-ferrous metal dots in the filter are not unusual.
The car has lasted 13 years without suddenly coming apart at the seams, so calling it a ticking time bomb might be overly dramatic. If you decide to belong to the school of thought that considers the IMS bearing a maintenance item, you will probably elect to change it regularly (or replace it with the IMS "solution" that only has to be done once).
If this was my car and the water pump was original, that would be the item I would check out first. If you remove the serpentine belt, you can see how freely the pump shaft spins and you can also try to rock it from side to side to see if there is any play in the bearing. If the bearing seems loose, or if you see evidence that coolant has been working its way out through the shaft exit, it's time for a new water pump.
Since you just got into the car, my advice would be to temper your urge to start fixing this, that, and the other and spend some time getting to know the car. Are you able to get the service history from the dealership? Many won't provide it, but it's worth a try since you'd know what items have already been serviced.
Every car (or washing machine, or lawn mower) ever made will eventually fail, so I wouldn't agonize about whether the car is a time bomb. Enjoy driving it, keep reading this site and others to learn more about it, and start making your list of things to do to the car. You might consider three headings on your list, like Immediately, Sometime Soon, and Eventually. As you come across items that you think need replacing, categorize them on your list. This will become your game plan.
Since it sounds like you have a budget, I'd resist the urge to spend EVERYTHING you have budgeted for this car on preventive maintenance - it would suck to spend $10K on preventive maintenance and then realize you need $1K worth of suspension work or $2K worth of new tires...
sadly, you sound like you have already succumbed to the IMSB paranoia. Only known cure is to get an upgrade soonest. Or else, you will never fully enjoy your Porsche.
You should post some photos. I am in Atlanta also. Have you joined the Peachstate PCA? There are some good tours and rally's coming up which will take the group north of the city into the mountains and twisty roads.
I have a 2002 Cab and am waiting for the clutch to go before updating the IMS.
You should post some photos. I am in Atlanta also. Have you joined the Peachstate PCA? There are some good tours and rally's coming up which will take the group north of the city into the mountains and twisty roads.
I have a 2002 Cab and am waiting for the clutch to go before updating the IMS.
Hi Tony! No, I haven't joined any club at the moment. Would be interested in the future if time permits. Would love to be involved with some future drives to the mountains. Unfortunately, most of my close friends don't have sports cars and so when they go on trips its usually the SUV route full of kids if you get my drift. Anyway, thank you for the nice comments. Here are a few quick iphone pics from the garage.... Cheers!
"Intermediate Menstrual Syndrome"... Similar to PMS, it's the **P E R I O D** between PERIODS. My wife experiences this phenomenon when I spend too much time ticking with my car. bwahahahahaha
A small number of non-ferrous metal dots in the filter are not unusual.
The car has lasted 13 years without suddenly coming apart at the seams, so calling it a ticking time bomb might be overly dramatic. If you decide to belong to the school of thought that considers the IMS bearing a maintenance item, you will probably elect to change it regularly (or replace it with the IMS "solution" that only has to be done once).
If this was my car and the water pump was original, that would be the item I would check out first. If you remove the serpentine belt, you can see how freely the pump shaft spins and you can also try to rock it from side to side to see if there is any play in the bearing. If the bearing seems loose, or if you see evidence that coolant has been working its way out through the shaft exit, it's time for a new water pump.
Since you just got into the car, my advice would be to temper your urge to start fixing this, that, and the other and spend some time getting to know the car. Are you able to get the service history from the dealership? Many won't provide it, but it's worth a try since you'd know what items have already been serviced.
Every car (or washing machine, or lawn mower) ever made will eventually fail, so I wouldn't agonize about whether the car is a time bomb. Enjoy driving it, keep reading this site and others to learn more about it, and start making your list of things to do to the car. You might consider three headings on your list, like Immediately, Sometime Soon, and Eventually. As you come across items that you think need replacing, categorize them on your list. This will become your game plan.
Since it sounds like you have a budget, I'd resist the urge to spend EVERYTHING you have budgeted for this car on preventive maintenance - it would suck to spend $10K on preventive maintenance and then realize you need $1K worth of suspension work or $2K worth of new tires...
Thank you for your wisdom on this man! I appreciate every detail in your response. I definitely take it all to heart.
03-31-2016, 08:07 PM
False sense of security or blessing in disguise?
My wife experiences this phenomenon when I spend too much time ticking with my car. 
bwahahahahaha