Another IMS Issue

[ahhyouscaredme]

My 2003 986 had an oil leak coming from what I thought was the RMS. To my disappointment the leak is actually coming from the IMS. Before I started working on the car it ran although it didn't sound quite right, I thought with an IMS failure the engine would have seized. Through most of my research I found that the solution was to replace the engine. Is it possible to just replace the IMS and if so could I use one out of a 911?

[1schoir]

My 2003 986 had an oil leak coming from what I thought was the RMS. To my disappointment the leak is actually coming from the IMS. Before I started working on the car it ran although it didn't sound quite right, I thought with an IMS failure the engine would have seized. Through most of my research I found that the solution was to replace the engine. Is it possible to just replace the IMS and if so could I use one out of a 911?

If the bearing has not totally failed or the pin has not sheared, the engine will still run and will make some noise.

Go to the LNEngineering website and take a look at your options. You can replace the IMS if you have a sigle row bearing, without engine teardown. I believe Charles Navarro and Jake Raby are also now working on a similar solution for dual row IMS bearings.

Regards, Maurice.

[smackboy1]

Don't panic. Just because the IMS (or RMS) is leaking doesn't mean the engine is done. Maybe that's all it is, a leak. If it's just a leak just replace with updated 997 parts. RMS gets a new seal that's seated deeper. IIRC IMS gets new bolts. Best thing to do is take it to the dealer and have them take a look and check the case spec to see how big your problem is. As a preventative measure replace both the IMS and RMS with updated seals/bolts while the transmission is off, maybe consider changing your clutch too if it's worn.