Gonzo, check to see if these items are included.

 

If a 2006 997 has already had the IMS replaced from the dealer back in 2007/8, is it worth buying?

 

Engine was replaced. Might have been a new one or a factory rebuild.

No real reason to assume its any better or worse than a comparable car w/o engine replacement.

Mike

 

Just found out that they replaced the Barring Flange,is that a good thing or a bad thing?

 

The Bearing flange has a seal on it so most likely the original seal was leaking, they replaced it with a new one & it shouldn't be a problem in the future. That's a ok thing.

 

I have had a IMS Failure. Had to get new engine.......

 

Ouch......What year do you have?

 

1999 C4 cabrio

 

Damn !! I brought my 99 C2 to my mechanic today for simple fuel filter replacement and brake checkup. I also asked him to look into the engine vibration when the car idles. The vibration started about a couple of months ago which I figured may just be a simple tuneup. I had the oil, plugs and air filter changed. The fuel filter was a bit of a challenge which I figured I'll leave it with him.

When he diagnosed the vibration issue, he concluded the IMS is starting to fail and recommended that the car not be driven and have the IMS replaced immediately before it fails. He stated that IMS failure will result in requiring a replacement engine. I almost keeled over when he quoted me for the repair cost ... in the region of $1.5 - $2K. He stated the LM Engineering IMS retro-fit part cost over $700. He stated that IMS problem also impacts the newer 997 as he replaced them on a 2005 and 2009 911.

I pondered for a few minutes and told him to proceed with the repair. I have about 150,000 km on the car and was surprised by the premature failure. Anyway, I've read about the IMS and RMS failures on the early 996 and didn't think much of it happening to my car since I purchased it used about 4 years ago and it ran beautifully all these time.

 

From what I've read, IMS failures are not too common -- but since it's catastrophic when it happens, I'd say you lucked out on this one. Folks don't always catch it before it happens, and the costs are much higher (i.e. new engine) if it fails on you. I hate to say it -- but $1.5-2K is not sky high for these cars. It sounds like the approx. cost of a major service (with plug changes) or a brake pad/rotor replacement. Much less than a clutch job. Good luck!

 

You are ONE LUCKY son of a gun!! Open the best Bottle of Champagne you can find and have some fun. This has been your lucky year!!

 

Fortunate indeed. Ask anyone who has had a major repair, or complete engine failure, what they think about a $2,000 repair that makes their car bullet proof. Cheap solution for what could have cost you $10,000-$15,000. Congratulations. Too many people ignore a vibration or sound.

 

Yes; Believe it or not this was a good thing. While you are at it and he has the engine out, I would have him replace the RMS, Clutch and maybe the plugs.

 

I received an update from my mechanic last night and he stated the vibration resulted from failure of the timing chain tensioner; not the IMS which he original suspected. He stated there is a main tensioner and (I believe) he mentioned 2 smaller ones that need to be replaced. As the IMS is okay, I asked him if I should proactively replace it. He stated it can be delayed a little .. probably wait a few months as this repair bill is still going to be a whopper.... in the 2.5 K range as per his estimate ... *sigh*

 

Congratulations to you & your mechanic for taking the proper action & being "over" cautious. I assume you're talking about the Vario-Cam wear pads & if so the other side is probably in simular condition.