I performed a search for this on here but couldn't find the answer.

Can someone tell me what the signs and symptoms of a bad IMS bearing are, so that I'll know what to look for before it's too late. I saw one person mentioned a noise, what will it sound like?

I've only owned my 996 for about six months, but the only problem I've had is a horn that would go off over every bump. It didn't cost me anything to fix it. I have the complete service history for my car, and in 12 years and 70k miles the only problem it's had were the window regulators.

 

My understanding is that it sounds like a can of rocks rattling and by the time you hear that, it may already be too late.

General wisdom is to do the replacement at the same time you would do a clutch and/or Rear Main Seal. (Not much help for Tiptronic owners like me...)

I don't think you can look at an engine and tell if the replacement has been done; you have to go by receipts and the seller's word.


I sincerely doubt that any sellers are having the replacement done immediately prior to selling a car. If you are buying one and don't have documentation of the replacement, you should probably assume it has not been done and plan on doing so in the future.

Just as a point of reference, I have several friends who have or had 996s and none of them has experienced an IMS failure. Without good data (which we will never get...), it's anyone's guess as to exactly how prevalent this problem is.

 

is there an easy to check if the IMS needs to be replaced? i just passed 60,000miles with the original IMS.

 

Hi. I've been lurking here on and off for a very long time, but my exposure to 2nd hand ****-engined **** slot cars is huoauge...!

In my humble experience if the IMS bearing has not been replaced then GET IT DONE. If the clutch needs doing then have it done at the same time as clutch and RMS.

It's simple maths mate. An extra few hundred dollareess at that time or roulette down the road. It is a known proactive fix for a documented issue...

Just my 2 penneth worth...

 

THERE ARE NO SIGNS! very rare they may leak..but 99% of time NO SIGN..if you did a search you would have seen that

 

Perhaps the fact that there are no signs and symptoms is why I couldn't find any when I searched.

 

That was a CLASSIC witty reply bro ..love it! hahahhaha

 

Just replace it when you do the clutch. If you use the LN engineering bearing, it cost more than the labor while the clutch is out. If you hear a noise it is too late.

 

Mine went at the same time as the RMS on my '01 C4 with no signs from either. It's a fairly frequent issue but nowhere on the scales of the RMS. Thankfully I was still under warranty back then (6 years ago?).

 

the sound (CAN OF BOLTS) may also be confused with a water pump, happened to my car... Like most said when you hear it its too late.. Drop the oil filter, open it up, and if you think you currently have an ims problem, the shavings and debris would be evident... LN and flat6 have great write-ups, with pics.. Like others said, have it replaced when you do your clutch, maybe have your aos checked too... MY .2

 

Well. I am there now.

The clutch is being replaced as I write along with the IMS bearing with LNE and RMS.

I choose to do it because of peace of mind, the minimal additional cost ($700 or so - the cost of a rear set of tires which i seem to go through every year) and that when i go to sell the car, it wont be an issue.

my car is near 90k mi with 50 k on the clutch. no sign of leaks or metal in the oil.

when i get the inspect the IMS bearing, i will post

JB

 

I'll go one step further. Is there an easy way to know IF the IMS was replaced without the whole car apart? My P is used and I have no clue if this was done or not...

 

If this is such a universal problem, why hasnt someone gone after Porsche? Surely theres some lawyers out there who own Porsches......

 

http://www.flat6innovations.com/shop...cat=289&page=1

 

Just took my 1999 996 in to the local indy shop to have the IMS retrofit done and the RMS replaced. 76k miles, no obvious signs of impending IMS failure (no metal/plastic in oil filter), but it recently developed a leak from either the IMS or RMS.

I bought it used last year and researched potential IMS/RMS issues before purchasing, so this is not a shock, and the IMS retrofit was priced into my purchasing decision. Based on what I gleaned from this site and others, I decided to wait on doing the IMS retrofit until I had another reason to pull the transmission, which I now have. It will be interesting to find out what condition the original IMS bearing is in.

I will also have the clutch and AOS checked out and replaced if needed. It will be a little pricey to have it all done, but it makes sense to do it all at once.

Can't wait to get it back on the road...