124Spider

Hi,

We bought a 2004 996 three years ago. I've changed the oil every 3,000 miles (we've put 9,000 miles on it in those three years, so it now has 83,000 miles on the odometer).

Each time I've changed the oil, I've carefully examined the filter, and found no metal flakes at all.

All we know of the history of the car is that this is not the original motor.

Is it reasonable (as opposed merely to optimistic) to infer that we may be clear of IMS problems?

If the motor was changed by Porsche because of a previous IMS issue, would they have put a motor in without fixing the IMS bearing in the new motor, or is it more likely that a new motor would not have had the IMS bearing flaw (given that this is a 2004, so the motor change would have come sometime significantly after 2004, when the problem was well understood)?

Thanks!

Mark

Imo000

No.

5CHN3LL

Since there's a chance you'll want to interpret Imo000's answer as favorable, here's more detail:

Q: Is it reasonable (as opposed merely to optimistic) to infer that we may be clear of IMS problems?

A: No.

Every 996 motor from Porsche, new or rebuilt, has an IMS bearing. From 2002 until 2006, the small single-row bearing was used. Porsche (eventually) adopted the non-serviceable larger single-row bearing, but no 996 came from Porsche in a manner that guarantees you are "clear of IMS problems." Do you have any info on the provenance of the replacement motor (i.e. was it new, rebuilt by Porsche, rebuilt by someone else, used...)? It's possible that the motor's serial number may be able to provide some info if you send it to your mechanic or one of the wrenches that haunts RL from time to time.

Sounds like you're level-headed (i.e. not freaking out) - which is the correct approach. Freaking out is almost always expensive.

porschedog

Maybe, but the worrying may result in a few sleepless nights. Or you'll say. "screw it, if it blows it blows."


as my grandpa says with a deep Lithuanian accent (which is odd as he is from Italy), "The IMS, she is a feeeckle bitch"

Schnell Gelb

Here is a different angle,if you like the car.
At your miles it is almost ready for a new clutch(complete your profile so we know the mechanical details of your car Tip/stick??)
So just do IMSB and RMS +LN filter adapter when the the clutch is done.The incremental cost is small. If you have the late version large IMSB ,you won't be able to change it without total dismantling of the engine so just hope?

5CHN3LL

My grandfather's preferred term for something of questionable workmanship (like the single-row IMSB, for example:

"Son, this looks like a bear's *** sewed up with a grape vine."

Southerners come up with some colorful analogies and metaphors.

124Spider

Ok, thanks; that's pretty much what I expected.

I don't think it's worth doing the retrofit unless I'm already doing some serious work on the car. The clutch is just fine, but if I need to replace the clutch (or otherwise mess with the drive train), I may take that opportunity to retrofit the fix.

Yeah, and if it blows it blows (and I'll survive)....

alpine003

Question is why are you asking it now?

gnat

Isn't "ask about the IMS" what you are supposed to do with your third post?

Gonzo911

Yeah...like, "a cheetah with a ragin' case of hemmoroids", or something to that effect?

124Spider

Gee, I'll bite. Why not?

It seems pretty simple to me. But then I'm not an obnoxious, superior long-time poster who lives on this site, like you; I'm just a guy with the naive thought that internet forums are here for the exchange of information, when in fact too many people think they're here so they can show how superior they are. Bad on me, I guess.

I've had the car for three years. I haven't seen any sign of any issues, either aurally or visually (in the oil).

I thought I had enough data to ask the question.

Here's a thought: How about, if you don't have anything to add in the way of answering my perfectly legitimate question, you just crawl back under your rock?

Sheesh....

Gonzo911

If you drive a 996, you have to have a little sense of humor (at least when it comes to the headlights). Alpine's question was as legitimate as yours, don't it take it personally.

Also, your question could have been answered via the search button, ad nauseum.

Speaking of questions...be careful going off like this. You might have a really good one in a few more years that you may want answered.

JD ARTHUR

If it is a new motor from Porsche, no need to worry. If it has more than 60000 miles on it no need to worry. If its only driven 3000 miles a year no need to worry. If it blows up you need to worry.LOL

124Spider

Humor me, please. Why is a snarky response "question" as legitmate as mine? I was asking a question in good faith; he was mocking me. I don't see any "legitimacy" in that.

Perhaps; my searches failed to answer my question. My question was fairly specific, with a set of facts unlike any in the threads I found in searches: (i) second motor; (ii) no metal flecks in the oil; (iii) no suspicious noises; and (iv) 83,000 miles. I was asking if this combination of facts bodes well for our car; seemed like a simple, legitimate question to me.

I understand. But, to be honest, I really don't much care if people who respond like he did, or people who think his snarky response was somehow "funny," don't much feel like "helping" me when I have a "really good one" I may want answered; that type of "help" I can live without.

JD ARTHUR

Try not to be upset, its really no big thing. The IMS subject seems to be the worst thing anybody can bring up on this site and ALWAYS causes some controversy even though the original poster usually thinks it is just a simple question and deserves a simple answer. Some of the guys on here have been on here for years and forget that a guy with only a few posts hasn't read about the IMS issues hundreds of times already. Just the mention of it causes many eyes to roll. The only way you could ever relate to what I'm trying to say is to be on this damn site every day for a month or two.