Another Dreaded IMS Bearing Failure

[michaelwalker123]

Just got a call my my Indy Porsche mechanic who was doing my oil change on a 2006 BS with 45K miles. He found large metal shavings in the filter and he has diagnosed it as a failing IMS bearing. My build date was 11/05 so until we pull the transmission won't be able to tell which one it is. Fortunaely, I am covered by a CNA Extended Warranty with a $300 deductable so I should be covered for the most part. The preliminary response is they will cover it but need to do more diagnostics after they drop the tranny before I know for sure.

I will most likely have to pay for the price differece between the LN ceramic bearing and the cost of the OEM bearing. Does anyone know the approximate difference in cost? Anyway, I am very lucky to have caught this before it blew up. I did not have any clue. There were no unusual sounds and no oil leaks.

I am the second owner and was very concerned about the IMS issue even though all the maintenance was done correctly and the car appeared to be well cared for. That is why I purchased the extended warranty even after reading that many of them arent worth much because the don't pay. I will keep my fingers crossed but it looks good by their initial statements.

Should I do any other preventive work while they are in there? I have Tiptronic transmission so no clutch work needed.

[1schoir]

Glad that you have apparently gotten lucky!

AFAIK, you cannot buy just the IMS bearing by itself from Porsche as it comes as part of the complete IMS tube as an assembly.

As to other preventative work, if the RMS shows any signs of leaking or weeping, it should obviously be replaced with the newer, improved version.

Regards, Maurice.

[logray]

Correct to the above, and further, you cannot extract the stock bearing from the stock tube and expect to re-use it. Not to mention the expense of the tube itself... and requiring complete engine tear down.

[michaelwalker123]

Thanks for your replys 1schoir and Maurice. Then if I understand you correctly, going with the Porsche OEM solution would require removal and engine tear down and would therefore be more expensive than going with the LN solution on a 96M engine?

[logray]

Yes considerably so (cost prohibitive), in fact it would be silly to tear apart the engine just to replace the IMS bearing.

[JFP in PA]

2005 was a transitional year, some M96/97 engines had an IMS bearing that could be removed without taking the entire engine apart, and others did not. The only way to know for sure which type you are working with is to pull the trans and flywheel and look at the IMS center bolt; if it is a 22MM, you cannot service it without total disassembly of the engine.

[logray]

Good catch JFP on the model year, I overlooked that.

I think I had it right in my head but the words came out wrong from the keyboard.

Sorta what I meant to say is a total engine rebuild is in $$$$$ territory, just to replace the IMS bearing.

I guess long story is make darn well sure that it is a pending IMS failure before proceeding, there are plenty of places within the engine that can shed metal.

[michaelwalker123]

Great news for me and all those other concerned 2006 Boxster owners, This was misdiagnosed as an IMS failure. When this started last week, the Indy Porsche shop checked with Porsche and claims they were told the s/n and build date (11/05) indicated it was the old single row M96 bearing. This added fuel to misdiagnosing a failing IMS bearing. Porsche actually sent them that type of IMS cover. However, when they dropped the trany, they found it was the new enhanced M97 double row version (unfortunatey cannot do the LN upgrade without cracking the case ). So the good news is it is not failing! :thumbup:

The bad news is I am going to have some diagostic charges. Any ideas on what is fair considering they misdiagnosed this? :blush:

Also, they have no explaination for the 1 mm ferous metal shavings they found in the filter. Any ideas? should I be concerned?

[JFP in PA]

The bad news is I am going to have some diagostic charges. Any ideas on what is fair considering they misdiagnosed this? :blush:

[phillipj]

JFP you're awesome.. :notworthy:

[phillipj]

What is fair compensation when a doctor makes a misdiagnosis? Usually a lawsuit correct? These people are supposed to be Porsche experts correct? Any SKILLED shop should be able to diagnose a failed IMS. They just checked now with Porsche now to see what bearing set up you had? That would be the first thing they should have done..

I wouldn't give them a dime.. If they give you a hard time take them to small claims You can file online in 15 minutes.

Glad to hear you have a healthy engine... :king:

[michaelwalker123]

The bad news is I am going to have some diagostic charges. Any ideas on what is fair considering they misdiagnosed this? :blush:

I love it! I have had to worry about this for a week and rent a car to boot!

[michaelwalker123]

What is fair compensation when a doctor makes a misdiagnosis? Usually a lawsuit correct? These people are supposed to be Porsche experts correct? Any SKILLED shop should be able to diagnose a failed IMS. They just checked now with Porsche now to see what bearing set up you had? That would be the first thing they should have done..

I wouldn't give them a dime.. If they give you a hard time take them to small claims You can file online in 15 minutes.

Glad to hear you have a healthy engine... :king:

Thanks for the feedback Phillipj. To be fair, I read these threads a lot and consider myself fairly well informed so I always knew there was a chance they were wrong about not having the M97 'non upgradeable' bearing, but I feel they should bare the lions share. Their actual out of pocket costs are what they pay a mechanic for a day's work ($25-30/hr?) involved with this and not the billable shop rate ($140). That is the basis I plan to use. I will get back with the results of my discussions.

[michaelwalker123]

The shop actually made me the offer I was going to propose above so everyone is happy! Amazing how that worked out.

[phillipj]

Awesome.,. That's great news! Now you can enjoy your car again..