Hi all,

I'm in the process of vetting a '06 C2S for purchase and I'm hoping that someone here can help me decipher a Porsche service record that I think might be related to the infamous IMS bearing issue (hopefully not).

This would be my first 911, so I really don't know what I don't know and appreciate any guidance the forum can provide.

-Grant

 

Related to a leaking IMS end flange/seal is my take.

My info is it is quite common that when a car is brought in for a leaking "RMS" the culprit can be the IMS end flange.

Even as far back (circa mid-2002) as when I had my 2002 Boxster in for an RMS leak the SOP at the time was to replace the RMS and the IMS end flange and bolts with a new flange with an improved seal and micro-encapsulated bolts.

To remove the IMS is an engine out job and engine disassembly job. I think the work service order would have run out to several pages if this was done.

You should give the car a thorough used car check out and then have the car carefully inspected for any signs of oil leaks from the RMS (and IMS end flange) area (as best can be inspected without taking the tranny out).

 

Thanks for the reply. During the PPI on this car, the inspector notes that there is light oil seepage, possibly from the crank seal. He states it's not a "leak", but I'm starting to get a bad feeling. The car has less than 16K mi and beyond this issue, the PPI checks out solid....but if that IMS bearing hasn't been getting proper lubrication....If you were in my shoes with this info, what you do?

 

This is a 2006 therefore it had the bigger updated IMS, you dont need to worry about any "IMS" issues. I have a 2005 that was late production and has the 2006 IMS and both my indies which are well known in the industry said they have never seen this model IMS fail.

16K miles is too low in my opinion, but if it checked out then go for it. "seepage" is kind of normal..again, you took it for a PPI so if the inspector stated its not a big deal, then what are you worried about?

 

If there is oil present there is a leak. It may not be a bad leak -- generally RMS leaks are not gushers just the nuisance type leak -- but the leak won't get better.

If the IMS bearing wasn't getting proper lubrication you would know it.

I don't think that is a concern.

What might be a concern is what you intend on doing about the IMSB if you buy the car. I don't want to get into a big discussion about this -- and I'm not qualified to really discuss it -- but some owners feel that the factory IMSB is not up to the task and prefer to install some aftermarket solution.

You have to decide I guess what, if anything, you will do about the IMSB. Leave it "stock". Or if you feel that is not acceptable then which of the aftermarket solutions to use.

But ignoring the IMSB issue, if the car checks out, if from a cold start the engine sounds ok and runs ok all the way from a cold start to fully warmed up and passes a 15 mile test ride then a test drive with flying colors, and the rest of the car checks out, a bit of a seep in the RMS vicinity is not a deal killer provided (in my opinion) you can get some price adjustment to pay for the cost of having the RMS (and probably the IMS end flange/bolts but speak to a tech about this) replaced. This is not a cheap repair. My Turbo's RMS (there is no IMS end flange) repair ran around $1700 IIRC.

However, if your gut is telling you to give this car a miss then do so. There is always another car.

 

Thanks again for the replies. After much thought and a little negotiating I jumped in and bought it! Car was delivered this afternoon to me and I'm very hopeful that it will be smooth sailing ahead. Will also have a local shop give it a once over now just to be sure.

 

Congrats and go out and drive