Okay guys so I know this has been covered a million times but I just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on my situation..

I bought my 2000 996 in January. Been loving it. 47k miles on the clock.
I know the IMS is a weak point in the car and could result in complete engine failure. I am a student and I mean i can cover tires, clutch, the basic maintenance stuff. However if the engine was to go I would be screwed. The car is running great, may need clutch in the near future; next 2 years as I do not drive much.

So should I:

A. Get the IMS replaced NOW to avoid engine failure

B. Dont sweat it and drive it until it dies

C. Wait for clutch to go and do it then?


Thanks guys!

 

Or D. Get the IMS Guardian

Not sure of which of these choices I'd recommend. At 47K I'd probably just do the clutch/IMS..my car has 23k so I am hesitant to plunk down the money this early...

 

I'm with you - Just got my 2001 996 C4 35k. Needed a RMS Clutch and flywheel - which I had put in by a Porsche dealership. I did not have an additional 600 box to put down on a 4k repair. From my research and from my Porsche tech. Less than 2% of 996's made have an IMS failure. I think their were abt 250k made. And I intend to pull good regular oil changes. Myself. Nt at 5k or 10 k but likely 3-4 k. And get a magnetic oil plug to make my husband feel better. And "get in it" when passing etc. not much. Maybe in 20 k I might do the IMS. But if my Porsche tech didn't suggest aftermarket (L&N) then I will hold my cards... for now. I'm the 2nd owner and I hope to stay that way. Learn to change your oil and do it frequently. That can save an engine.

 

Similar situation here. I bought my 99 996C2 at 40K. I am currently at 50K. Given the perfect PPI, fresh oil every 5K, the 2% probability of 996/997 IMS failure, and the double row OEM IMS (lesser probability of IMS failure) found in 99-00 996, I choose to replace the IMS when I replace the clutch sometime within the next 10K (60K max). In the interim, I am driving her like I stole it.

 

I think the 3.4 model has the double row IMS which is the strongest of all three types of IMS made

 

The IMS issue can keep you up at night (this I know). If I were you I would probably do the clutch/IMS/RMS as soon as you can reasonably afford it. At worst you're proactively replacing a clutch that will need to be done in the relatively near future anyway (and giving yourself peace of mind at the same time).

 

99,00, and SOME 01 models have dual row.

I would personally forego the IMS Guardian and just get IMS replaced when you do the clutch. Saves on labor and realistically when would you get around to it, if you already have a good clutch?

BTW, I might be selling my brand new IMS Guardian.

 

Mike 4s thx so much for shedding some light - I just spent 3.4k on the RMS clutch and a new flywheel - the Porsche tech didn't thick that an IMS was needed on my car - and I forgot to ask why though he replace the gasket. I have the 3.4 - course he and I see eye to eye on oem vs stock.

 

Speaking from (all too painful) recent experience, I would suggest an IMS upgrade or fix. Mine went a couple weeks ago at 70k miles.

This was in a 2003 C4S, and I didn't opt for any warranty when I bought the car a year and a half ago, believing that this was very rare on the 2003+ cars. So I gambled and lost. Now it's up to me to come up with the cost to replace the engine. Not cheap.

My two cents? Warranty and/or IMS upgrade.

Greg

 

Uhg Greg that sucks. Really really sucks. I don't have the 3.6 liter. But if hubby will feel better in 20k miles I will def do it.

 

Porsche doesn't officially acknowledge the IMS issue and as such there are no reliable stats on how frequent or infrequent the issue is. Moreover, if Porsche won't acknowledge it, I can only imagine they would put pressure on their dealer network to tow the company line. If there really isn't any issue, why won't they publish stats?

All I can tell you is that I know two individuals who have been hit with failed IMS's - and that's out of ~30 or so 996 owners that I know personally.

 

Thanks for all the responses!! I think I am going to wait for my clutch to go and just do it then. I changed my oil about 2k ago in Jan and there were no metal particles in the filter.

Alpine- PM me about the guardian I may be interested...

 

If my 2001 C4 3.4 is a double row bearing setup how would I know? I'm hoping that by definition that 3,4 does. But knowing and hoping are 2 different animals ~~~;} I'd really like to be planning accordingly for what she will need - I mean aside from my soul

 

From what I've been able to ascertain, there are no particular VIN or production date that you can look at to determine this. Only way is to take off your transmission and see what kind of IMS flange you have which would indicate what IMS is behind the flange. It sort of sucks for us '01 owners wanting to do the IMS update. Most likely I'll probably end up purchasing both types and returning one so that I don't encounter any downtime.

 

I know that both single and double-row bearings were used in 2000. Alpine is right about not being able to tell by VIN. After speaking with LNE, my indy ordered both for my MY2000, and it turned out to be double-row.