IMS Thoughts

[flybye_]

Looking for some opinions on at what mileage should I feel safe that my IMS shouldn’t fail? I know as the miles go up the possibility of failure goes down correct? My understanding is most of the failures happened in low mileage cars.

[Zookie]

IMS is like your Girl Friend, she/it will dump you at the most least expected moment...

[MerlinsGhost]

Originally Posted by Zookie

IMS is like your Girl Friend, she/it will dump you at the most least expected moment...

'IT' Glad you recognized all relationship possibilities that are out there.

[dennish]

Get the IMS Guardian if you're worried. I did

[996C4SPfaff]

Originally Posted by flybye_

Looking for some opinions on at what mileage should I feel safe that my IMS shouldn’t fail? I know as the miles go up the possibility of failure goes down correct? My understanding is most of the failures happened in low mileage cars.

It may fail in next sec. Cheap upgrade compares to the new engine.

[friscotx]

When you get your oil changed, keep the oil filter.... Cut it open and see if there are any metal in there... If there's metal flakes in there, then it's time to talk to a mechanic.

[dotframe]

Actually your IMS called me and told me it already failed it just doesn't want to tell you.

[friscotx]

Central Texas boys are kinda sarcastic!! But point well taken! At least it wasn't the girlfriend that called you!

[Tarek307]

Just wait till your gonna do the clutch then do it, dont get freaked out and to it sooner, its a rare instance, but of course you dont wanna be one of those rareties, other wise these cars are bullet proof, and very reiliable

[wyovino]

There is a very good discussion about IMS on Renntech.org...actually the best I've read. Someone who is in the process of manufacturing another aftermarket IMS gave what I consider to be the best explanation of IMS failures.

It never made sense to me that low mileage cars were more susceptible to IMS failure than high mileage cars. There is a tremendous amount of speculation on the Internet, some of it saying that not getting your RPMs high enough is the cause.

To me, more revolutions per minute means more revolutions. More revolutions means more wear, so that didn't make sense either.

Paraphrasing the thread:

The thread explains that the sealed OEM unit loses it's initial lubrication after a few years. After that, engine oil seeps in and keeps the bearings lubricated. As the engine sits, the oil starts to seep out. If the car sits for an extended period, the initial spin of the bearing may be under-lubricated, causing an extremely small amount of abrasion. These small abrasions are cumulative and eventually can turn into a big problem. Therefore, cars that are used daily will likely fair better than weekend warriors. Ceramic coated bearings are much more resistant to abrasion than steel bearings when under-lubricated.

I hope my understanding of this is correct, but it is the first IMS thread that I found to actually make sense.

I had mine done right after I bought it, as I didn't know what to believe. I've also recently learned that dual-row bearings (which I have) are less likely to fail than single-row bearings, but I've not seen any hard statistics, only anecdotal evidence.

You can read it for yourself here:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...c-ims-bearing/

[mikegr]

Originally Posted by friscotx

Central Texas boys are kinda sarcastic!! But point well taken! At least it wasn't the girlfriend that called you!

A new engine may cost less than a girlfriend sometimes

Anyway, low miles new cars dont have IMS problems. You probably mean garage queens...these are suspecious to have IMS problems (at least that is claimed by some people on forums).
It definately happens to high mileage cars probably 100k+ miles to a percent 5-10%

[flybye_]

So my car has 2004 annvy has 15K bought it with 12K does that make it a queen? I'm trying to drive it as much as possible but its not a daily driver. My 200s boxster had 28K and I hade no issues. Thanks

[mikegr]

If it is true mileage then definately is. However i havent read or hear an incident on such a low mileage car. I personally would ask for an oil change and talk about it with the mechanic

[wyovino]

My interpretation is that it's not necessarily the mileage, but how frequently the car is used. A low mileage car that is used regularly should be ok. A low mileage car that is used once every week or so would be more susceptible, because there is more opportunity for the bearing to lose lubrication.