Diggin Posted 14January, 2016 Report Share Posted 14January, 2016 Hi All,I've been looking at a few 996's of late, and in doing some research have come across the IMS issue. I've had a chat with the service manager at my local PC and he's told me he's only seen 2 in 8 years. I know it can happen, and I know it does happen, but I'm just wondering how prevalent this issue actually is.cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANF Posted 14January, 2016 Report Share Posted 14January, 2016 From all accounts on the internet not really that common. Have a look through this recent thread http://porscheforum.com.au/topic/7958-996-good-value/Reading the latest 911 & Porsche World mag,"Five to Fear? The five "classic" water cooled engine worries according to Hartech.No. 3 IMS bearing failure. At one time the great fear, but in reality was never very common." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue964 Posted 14January, 2016 Report Share Posted 14January, 2016 Agree not overly common. For the sake of a few thousand dollars to get it fixed, the first thing I'd be doing if I purchased a 996 Carrera would be to get the IMS fix done simply for piece of mind. The cost of getting a motor fixed after an IMS has shat itself is a lot more so to me a few thousand spent on preventing IMS issues would make me sleep a lot better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike D'Silva Posted 14January, 2016 Report Share Posted 14January, 2016 Hi All,I've been looking at a few 996's of late, and in doing some research have come across the IMS issue. I've had a chat with the service manager at my local PC and he's told me he's only seen 2 in 8 years. I know it can happen, and I know it does happen, but I'm just wondering how prevalent this issue actually is.cheersMight be worth contacting your local independant Porsche service centres.. They may have come across more than the official Porsche centres. I'm not sure how many people would still take a 996 to an OPC in general...So far, I have only come into contact with 1 person who has experienced failed IMS themselves.. they were selling a Boxster S and ended up with a bill of $25k.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyS Posted 14January, 2016 Report Share Posted 14January, 2016 Hi, I have had a 996 for about 9 years. My Porsche specialist guessed IMS failure was effecting about 5% of engines. He had seen a few but not many. I changed my IMS bearing about 4 years ago to the LN engineering ceramic. No issues. Cost was about $2000. If this has not been I would recommend pricing this into the purchase price and getting it done for peace of mind. Remember that if a car is still on original engine it will be a 15 to 20 years old and everything is getting on a bit so if a part was already a weak point it probably a lot weaker now. regards AndyS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew F Posted 14January, 2016 Report Share Posted 14January, 2016 I was in at Buik Motorworks just before Christmas. I was asking the same question. Mark said of all the major 996 engine disasters he's had to fix only 2 or 3 were IMS issues. Cracked heads & split bores were more common. I researched 996's quite a bit, before I decided not to buy one. Not because of any reason other than I decided to buy a new car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonk Posted 15January, 2016 Report Share Posted 15January, 2016 I think it's something like 1% of 3.4l and 5% of 3.6l or something like that. Factor in an IMS upgrade for peace of mind. It will make selling the car down the track easier also as it will be more desirable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euge Posted 15January, 2016 Report Share Posted 15January, 2016 If I had to do it all over again, I'd be clear on my goals for the car and enter a purchase at the point where I thought would be comfortable with the total $ spent in say a 3 year period of ownership.One goal I may have considered is low cost high mileage car then go for the refresh scenario.eg. If you only ever wanted to spend $40k to own a porsche, then you could assume $25k for a new 3.8l engine and $15k for the purchase price - give or take In the end, things are mechanical, these cars are aging and ownership has been fun regardless. It's hard to put a price on passion and happiness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diggin Posted 16January, 2016 Author Report Share Posted 16January, 2016 Thanks for the responses thus far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidmarks Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 I think it's something like 1% of 3.4l and 5% of 3.6l or something like that. Factor in an IMS upgrade for peace of mind. It will make selling the car down the track easier also as it will be more desirable.I'm with you.I just got a 2004 C4S with 56000 km. I'm going the permanent IMS fix. $2500 well spent. The y say the trick is more regular oil changes and this ones got a solid history there but ...Porsches have had niggling issues as well as bigger ones in the past. Think chain tensioner upgrade when you're looking at an aircooled car up to 1989. Its much the same in terms of the thinking. Get it done or see it done and you feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter M Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 Don't you mean 1983? ie Pre C3.2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidmarks Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 Don't you mean 1983? ie Pre C3.2Erm, yep. should check for typo's... apologies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstone Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 The m96 needs periodic maintenance items I've mentioned elsewhere on this forum. The IMS is one of them. Go the LN engineering IMS solution and it is out of the equation for life.Porsche made short sighted engineering designs in a few models in my view.Nothing drives like one though. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidmarks Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 The m96 needs periodic maintenance items I've mentioned elsewhere on this forum. The IMS is one of them. Go the LN engineering IMS solution and it is out of the equation for life.Porsche made short sighted engineering designs in a few models in my view.Nothing drives like one though. ?Its booked in for the LN Engineering fix. Best solution I could see out there.They're a great thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 Its booked in for the LN Engineering fix. Best solution I could see out there.They're a great thing.It really is a no brainer if you want to sleep easy at night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidmarks Posted 19January, 2016 Report Share Posted 19January, 2016 It really is a no brainer if you want to sleep easy at nightThe M96 engine is a really nice unit but every time I gave it the big rev I winced ... I know that revving doesn't trigger the issue but you get my driftI've driven the 3.8 that came in with the 997 and I think the M96 engine is the sweeter, freer feeling engine. Not much in it on a day to day basis other than the bragging rights with 200cc ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rbware Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 Agree not overly common. For the sake of a few thousand dollars to get it fixed, the first thing I'd be doing if I purchased a 996 Carrera would be to get the IMS fix done simply for piece of mind. The cost of getting a motor fixed after an IMS has shat itself is a lot more so to me a few thousand spent on preventing IMS issues would make me sleep a lot better.Exactly what i did . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberpunky Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 I have heard it is most common in cars that were molly coddled and never driven properly(IMO). If the engine is revved out regulary it keeps oil in IMS but cars that never see the right side of 3000 RPM the IMS can be starved. No idea how true this is but would make me steer clear of any cars owned by elderly librarians<joke Im sure some would drive the cars properly I'd also cough up for the fix, as no one wants a 25K bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue964 Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 I have heard it is most common in cars that were molly coddled and never driven properly(IMO). If the engine is revved out regulary it keeps oil in IMS but cars that never see the right side of 3000 RPM the IMS can be starved. No idea how true this is but would make me steer clear of any cars owned by elderly librarians<joke Im sure some would drive the cars properly I'd also cough up for the fix, as no one wants a 25K billhonestly officer, i was only driving flat out 'cause I needed to make sure my IMS was not starved of oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 honestly officer, i was only driving flat out 'cause I needed to make sure my IMS was not starved of oilNot sure that works, particularly when you drive a GT3 Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue964 Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 Not sure that works, particularly when you drive a GT3 Blue ok, i'm being optimistic and hoping the officer doesn't know my gt3 has a mezger engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidmarks Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 honestly officer, i was only driving flat out 'cause I needed to make sure my IMS was not starved of oilJust recently got the news ... ordered the major service on my newly acquired 04 GT3 CS and got the fateful call:-"Erm, mate - we cut the filter and well, do you have time to come down and take a look?" Seems there was a little metal particulate in the filter. ARGH!! The thing only has 38000km on it so not sure of cause yet but the engines out already so soon we'll know. I'm tipping bearings.A new thread on the rebuild? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevMcRev Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 honestly officer, i was only driving flat out 'cause I needed to make sure my IMS was not starved of oiljust...noting...that...down...for...future...reference Just recently got the news ... ordered the major service on my newly acquired 04 GT3 CS and got the fateful call:-"Erm, mate - we cut the filter and well, do you have time to come down and take a look?" Seems there was a little metal particulate in the filter. ARGH!! The thing only has 38000km on it so not sure of cause yet but the engines out already so soon we'll know. I'm tipping bearings.A new thread on the rebuild?And here's everyone worrying about the IMS in M96's.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 @Skidmarks that really sucks mate. Didn't think they had that issue. Let us know what the cause was once it's been pinpointed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue964 Posted 20January, 2016 Report Share Posted 20January, 2016 Just recently got the news ... ordered the major service on my newly acquired 04 GT3 CS and got the fateful call:-"Erm, mate - we cut the filter and well, do you have time to come down and take a look?" Seems there was a little metal particulate in the filter. ARGH!! The thing only has 38000km on it so not sure of cause yet but the engines out already so soon we'll know. I'm tipping bearings.A new thread on the rebuild?oh crap! Let us know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.