As a Porsche owner or a future Porsche owner, you’ve probably already heard some horror stories about the Porsche IMS bearing failure. The good news is that you can take steps before a catastrophic failure happens to help ensure the smooth operation of your Porsche. A little time and money spent now could save you a painful situation later – let us explain…
The idea of your Porsche 911, Porsche Cayman, or Porsche Boxster experiencing, a catastrophic Porsche IMS bearing failure has achieved campfire horror story status amongst Porsche enthusiasts…but don’t worry, we have got you covered!
Company of Cars is 1 of only 7 preferred installers in Canada for IMS Retrofit, the original ceramic hybrid ball-bearing replacement and the only one trusted by dealerships and independent mechanics worldwide.
This problem affects all Porsche M96 and M97 Engines from 1997 through 2008. They all have the potential for failure of the Intermediate Main Shaft (IMS) bearing.
Early Porsche 911 (996 & 997) Boxster (987), and Cayman (987) experience a common failure of the IMS (Intermediate Main Shaft) bearing, which can cause a failure of the motor resulting in a costly and extensive repair. The models that can be affected are Boxsters, Caymans and Porsche 911’s that were manufactured between 1997 and 2008, except for Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models. Although the type of bearings used changed from 1997 to 2008, some are more prone to failure than others. Unless they are replaced, all of these bearings are susceptible to failure except the Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models.
The statistics suggest that the versions used for model years 2000 to 2005 are most susceptible to failure in the 996 version of the Porsche 911 and the Boxster 986. The chances of IMS bearing failure on a Boxster 987 or Cayman manufactured after a stronger bearing was introduced in late 2005, are actually very low.
There may not be many obvious symptoms for this problem until you hear a loud rattling noise when starting the engine or pressing the accelerator. At this point, there may already be very costly and extensive damage occurring in the engine.
Early diagnosis is possible when changing the vehicle’s oil and filter, as the presence of metallic debris in the current component and oil used can indicate a possible bearing failure. If this occurs, it’s probably time to have a professional facility, with knowledge of Porsche engines and their repair to have a look at the vehicle for you.
It’s possible, that when oil leaks stem from the engine of your Porsche, they could be coming from the IMS flange seal. At this point, it is best to have a team inspect the source of the leak and confirm its true cause, just in case.
Whatever you do…Do not drive your Porsche if you suspect that the IMS bearing may be failing!
The IMS bearing is a sealed unit with permanent lubricant for the ball bearings. Although it is difficult to know exactly how and why the failure occurs only in some engines, it appears the seal erodes over time, which allows engine oil to enter the bearing and flush out the permanent lubricant. This results in inadequate lubrication of the bearings. The bearings corrode over time and eventually release metal shavings into the engine oil. This is a simplified explanation, but if the problem is caught at this stage, it can be repaired. Because this is all occurring internally, the only visual sign of the problem is those metal shavings; the used oil and oil filter should be inspected when they are changed. If the problem goes on too long, the engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced.
Let’s start with the cars in the first group, all of which are at least 20 years old. The possibility of the IMS problem occurring appears to increase with mileage and vehicle age; if the Porsche you are considering has average mileage (6000-8000 per year), you should have the vehicle inspected for common issues that would almost certainly have occurred at this point. That said, it is still good to keep the problem in mind when buying and/or maintaining a Porsche. Make sure any car you are considering has full-service records, and if an IMS failure has occurred, that it was properly resolved. More frequent oil changes than suggested by the factory, are a further precaution that can protect against failure.
As mentioned, there is greater risk with the 2001-05 cars. However, considering these Porsche are at least fifteen years old, the chance of future failure is relatively low. If you are considering the purchase of a Porsche that has more than 40000 miles, and a review of the maintenance records shows it has been meticulously maintained, the risk is very low.
The risk for the third group, 2006-08, is similar to the first group in terms of the likelihood of failure except these cars are newer and haven’t had as many miles on the road. Still, all of these cars are at least 12 years old and should have logged enough miles to flush out most of the problems. You may also be able to purchase an aftermarket warranty, which could be a wise decision if you are troubled by this potential problem.
IMS Retrofit ceramic hybrid ball bearing is recognized as the only permanent solution for IMS bearing problem in M96/M97 engines, and recommended by thousands of independent mechanics as the best preventive measure. The cost of a IMS Retrofit replacement bearing and labour for installation is usually more than $4,000 but can be done in conjunction with the clutch. This is a small investment compared to the cost of rebuilding or replacing the entire engine. This repair should be balanced against the low risk of the IMS failure happening in older Porsches. If you coldly calculate the likelihood of a future failure and measure it against the cost of IMS Retrofit bearing, you may decide it is worth the risk. However, if you are concerned about the health and well-being of your Porsche, then this preventative measure may well be a worthy expense to avoid future damage and greater expenditure later.
With this issue, as such, WE can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs over the dealer. While the vehicle is disassembled, we can also inspect and repair other possible issues with the clutch, flywheel or throw out bearing.
This repair can be carried out alongside repairs such as clutch replacement.These repairs can usually be done at a fraction of the dealer cost.
Give our service department a call today and get a free quote to fix Porsche IMS bearing failure!