What do you guys think of this low cost https://www.europeanpartssolution.com/ims-oil-feed-modification]product from European Parts Solution as a way to protect our cars from the possible IMS failure?

Now, I know IMS failure is very very rare, and there are lots of threads discussing this, so I'd like to *not* rehash those threads for this question.

What I would like to know is, would consider doing this low cost modification for piece of mind?
Is there anyone who has done this; if so, please share your experience?

The part and tool are only $99, and the labor to make the modification shouldn't be too expensive.

• https://www.europeanpartssolution.com/ims-oil-feed-modification]Part for for IMS Pressurized Oil
• https://www.europeanpartssolution.com/ims-oil-feed-modification-instructions]Instructions for IMS Pressurized Oil

This clever idea allows the engine oil to flow to the IMS bearing without expensive engine removal or modifications. Simply gain access by temporarily removing the the catalytic converters and the oil pump cover. Instead of replacing the existing IMS bearing, this approach punches a small hole in the center of the IMS shaft to allow pressurized oil to flow to the existing IMS bearing. All you have to do is replace the small "Allen drive" shaft in the oil pump with a new slotted version from EPS.

(I know EPS also sells a replacement IMS bearing, but I in this thread I am only talking about the "Allen drive" solution).

 

I don't know what to think of this except that I'm skeptical. Best I can tell it's only applicable to 2005 997's. Many or most of the later 2005's were fitted with the larger improved IMS so this kit wouldn't work for those cars. And the earlier ones don't require engine tear down or replacement to improve the IMS. So I guess the question is....what's the advantage of this solution to the early small IMS compared to the existing solutions that's been applied for 16 years now for those who chose to do it?

 

My sense is that this can be applied to early and late model 997.1's...

The IMS bearing is a sealed unit. This is true for the smaller older bearing (pre ~2005) and the newer larger bearing (post ~2005). The issue occurs when the IMS bearing's seal breaks, the bearing loses its lubrication, gets hot from friction, and disintegrates.

A lot of the solutions out there do two things:
1. Retrofit the Porsche IMS bearing with a more sturdy design
2. Redirect engine oil to the new bearing (which is not sealed and requires lubrication)

To do these two things, you usually have to drop your engine, or do a "tear down" as you mentioned. You also have to install new plumping to deliver oil to the new bearing.

However, the this solution from EPS only does #2 above (i.e. redirect engine oil). The purpose of doing this is, if the original bearing loses its lubrication due to seal failure, the engine oil will be available at the bearing to compensate. Thus, the bearing will not deteriorate and fail, even if the seals go bad.

Now, usually, to do #2, you still have to remove your engine. The "innovation" these guys have is that they claim to supply engine oil through the HOLLOW ISM shaft directly to the IMS bearing. To achieve this, it looks like you don't have to tear down your engine at all. Just put the car on a lift, access the oil pump which is towards the rear of the car, and poke a little hole into the end of the hollow IMS shaft's closed-off end. The special 8mm Allen shaft they provide ensures oil travels into the IMS shaft.

So the benefits are:
1. You don't have to do an expensive engine tear down
2. You could (theoretically) protect from engine failure, even if the IMS bearing seals go bad (in the future)
3. The part is cheap ($99 bucks)
4. The labor is (likely) a lot cheaper than tearing down your engine to install an aftermarket IMS bearing
5. This job could even be done at the same time you change / upgrade your mufflers
6. This can be done for any 997, regardless of the bearing design installed on the car

This could be a preventative measure to keep your existing IMS bearing and engine safe.

Would anyone consider doing this just for piece of mind, even if you have the newer more robust bearing?

 

I would since contrary to what many believe, the newer more robust bearing fails too although at a way lower rate than the original small IMS. I have to wonder though, what you describe sounds like a simple relatively inexpensive improvement to whichever IMS you have. So if it really does reduce the already low chance of failure of either of the OEM bearings, why hasn't someone thought of this simple solution since the IMS became an issue 16 years ago?

There are shops out there that do nothing but rebuild Porsche engines. Many of them due to IMS failures. Before doing this I think I would like the opinion of what some of these shops think about this "fix".