I'm sure this has been discussed ad naseum someplace in this forum, but I could not find anything specifically about if some years of the M96 were more susceptible that others to the IMS issue. I had heard that the pre-2002 engines were more susceptible that the 2002+ engines. Reading about the mechanism of failure, it sounds like a design flaw of using a sealed bearing in a critical part of the engine. Any comments on this?

I've also read threads regarding retrofits as an insurance policy against a failure. Is this a better bearing design, or are you just starting from 0 miles with the same inferior design?

 

The non-scientific sampling method says that the single row bearing in some 2000 and 2001 as well as all 2002 through 2004 model years does not hold up as well as the dual row bearings used in the 1999-2001 model years. The later years with the single row bearings are the only ones where LNE says they've experienced a failure with their retrofit kit (3 to date). And I've also read from these sources that the 2001-2002 years are most common.

The retrofit is stronger than the original dual row, but the IMS bearing design is a flawed one, according to the experts.

The updated Porsche bearing on some 2005 and all 2006 997 and later engines (until 2009 with the introduction of the IMSB-less DFI engine) is about as strong as the original dual row bearing.

The experts recommend changing the bearing at regular intervals (40-60k). This includes the LNE retrofit bearing.

For added insurance, you can install the IMS Guardian from flat 6, which collects ferro-magnetic particles in the oil sump and alerts the driver once a certain threshold has been reached.

All you ever want to know and more about the subject here:

http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html

 

So is it possible for a 4s 996 to replace the bearing with a dual row one?

 

At 106,000 I had no IMS Issues but when I upgraded my clutch, I went ahead and had the LN Engineering IMS done.

 

They can make triple row bearings, however I don't believe they can go into a single row IMS tube. So in short, not 100% certain about this but I don't think that is possible. You would need to ask LNE.

 

here is an English version of IMS Guard reasonably priced

http://www.wrightune.co.uk/

 

It's a Flat6 IMS Guardian

 

My tranny is coming out soon as it needs it's mounts replaced. I am at 106000km and my car feels fine but i am going to get Retrofit kit anyways.

Anyone knows how i can confirm what kind of bearing i have on my car?

Cheers

 

what is the construction date?

 

You need to remove the transmission and inspect the flange... no way to tell on a 2001 car without removing the flywheel.

from...

http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html


'MY00-01 vehicles may need either a dual row or single row Retrofit™ kit, so you'll need to inspect the flange, as shown below to be sure which will be needed."

"
How do I visually identify which IMS I have?
A deep flange will be a single row bearing whereas a shallow flange will be a dual row bearing, as shown below:"