It is important to be aware of the problems with the IMS bearings in the 996 and 997 generations if you currently own or are thinking about purchasing a 911 Porsche model or year prior to 2009. It is commonly known that the intermediate shaft (IMS) that drove the engines’ camshafts malfunctioned in these cars, which led to engine failure.
In This Article...
You’ll have a bad time if your IMS bearing fails.
Two glaring flaws in the factory-original IMS bearings can be blamed for their primary weaknesses: (1) The ball bearings’ construction doesn’t quite make them strong enough to endure the mechanical and thermal demands placed on them, and (2) Inadequate lubrication of the bearings.
Some IMS bearings have been verified to have failed after only 3,000 km.
IMS bearing failure may be caused by a variety of contributing factors, and frequently, a combination of causes leads to bearing failure. It is difficult to determine with any degree of precision the precise rate of failure of these IMS bearings. Reliable sources have reported that the failure-rate of some of these original bearings has been estimated to be as high as an astonishing 10% after an average of just 90,000 miles. However, claims of which, especially those made by unqualified “experts” or ones found in the numerous forum threads about this topic, can vary drastically. The only safe conclusion that can be made is that all M96 and some M97 engines in Porsche 911s (996 or 997) and all Boxsters (986/987) from 1997 through 2008 are susceptible to IMS bearing failure at any time, regardless of mileage, as it has also been verified that some IMS bearings have failed after only 3,000 miles, while others have still lasted for 200,000 miles or more.
Debate in sales: Is a 997.1 upgrade worth the risk over a 996 with IMS?
A excellent 996 Carrera now costs around the same as a newer first-generation 997 due to the recent surge in 996 Carrera values. Owners, experts, and internet experts have all often discussed the former’s IMS issues.
The M97 engine in the 997.1, however, is not without issues of its own. But is the riskier newer 911 preferable to a 996 with an upgraded IMS?
“I have always urged potential consumers to buy as new a car as possible with as low a mileage as possible,” says Charles Navarro, co-owner of IMS bearing specialist LN Engineering.
A 2005 997 with a single row 6204 series bearing that could be upgraded with the IMS solution would be his ideal vehicle. This is because the bigger diameter 6305 series bearing used in vehicles from the 2006 to 2008 model years makes it impossible to replace the bearing in a safe manner.
However, Navarro notes that it is also possible to “remove the grease seal” from the bearings of these later 997s in place of an IMS upgrade. He says, “If the bearing hasn’t started to fail, this ought to be enough to keep it alive.
IMS is not the only issue with the 997, however, as Navarro notes that a bearing replacement would also be complimented by the installation of a “authentic Porsche water pump and a low temperature thermostat” on his “ideal candidate” 2005 997.
Pulling the sump and checking the oil filter should be the absolute minimum that is done to certify a vehicle for purchase, according to the boss of LN Engineering.
This is the same opinion held by UK experts Autofarm. Owner Mikey Wastie says that piston damage and bore scoring are the main issues with 997s.
He says, “We see more 997s with cylinder difficulties here at Autofarm than IMS concerns. That’s excellent news for M97 engine users who are concerned about IMS problems, but Wastie says it’s still bad news for your wallet.
“The problem is that many of the 997s we encounter at Autofarm have already undergone repairs, but typically just one cylinder, not all six, was fixed. Every time, we recommend fitting all six, “The manager of Autofarm explains.
Cutting corners always results in higher long-term costs. Wastie would prefer “go for a repaired 996” because of this. Although he believes the 997 to be the superior vehicle, “there is that danger of difficulties if it hasn’t been fixed.”
Whichever path you choose, it is essential that you do a thorough pre-purchase inspection and account for some additional cash in your budget for future repairs and maintenance.
Check out our whole collection of sales debates, where we ask the 911 specialists the relevant market questions so you don’t have to, for market guidance on any generation or style of Porsche 911.
Prevention and upkeep
Unfortunately, your IMS bearing does not always fail with a warning. Taking your car in for maintenance and getting a professional oil change with an inspection are the finest preventative steps you can implement.
Long before symptoms emerge that are obvious to a driver, a Porsche expert will spot signs that your IMS bearing is beginning to degenerate. This is why you need to continue with your routine maintenance.
The only real way to prevent IMS bearing failure, which affects all Porsche 986, 987, 996, and 997 models, is to make sure that your car is regularly serviced and inspected. Better yet, have your IMS replaced with a more recent model that won’t be as problematic.
Are there IMS problems with the 2007 Porsche 911?
All Boxster, Cayman, and 911 vehicles from MY1997 to MY2008, with the exception of Turbo, GT2, and GT3 variants, are susceptible to IMS bearing failure.
But over time, the types of bearings utilized changed, and some of them were more likely to fail than others. According to statistics, the Boxster 986 and 911 models built between model years 2000 and 2005 are the most likely to experience IMS bearing failure, whereas the odds are extremely low for a Boxster 987 or Cayman built after a stronger bearing was introduced in late 2005.
In terms of mileage, there is no clear trend in the failures; some owners were unfortunate enough to encounter IMS issues at less than 20,000 miles, while others assumed they were safe only to have the bearing fail at 130,000 miles. In summary, you should be aware of potential issues if you currently own or intend to purchase one of the models with the weaker bearing that were in use from 2000 to late 2005.
The base engine (3.6) bears the designation “M96,” and depending on your engine number, you may have the smaller IMS or the revised bigger bearing:
Engine (3.6) number M96/05 69507476 has the larger updated IMS bearing, while Engine (3.6) number M96/05 69507475 has the smaller IMS bearing.
The “S” Engine (3.8) is designated “M97” and features a choice of a smaller or bigger upgraded IMS bearing:
Engine (3.8) numbers beginning with M97/01 68509791 have the larger updated IMS bearing, whereas Engine (3.8) numbers up to M97/01 68509790 have the previous IMS bearing.
What 997 has problems with IMS?
The 996 model’s IMS bearing problem is still an issue today. The older 997 vehicles that weren’t Carrera S versions shared the same fundamental engine as the 996, which led to the same problems. The majority of 997 models from late 2005 and early 2006 are included, and as was already mentioned, only a very small proportion of those vehicles were impacted.
What year Porsches experience IMS issues?
The intermediate shaft bearing, commonly known as an IMS bearing, has a significant failure rate in the Porsche 911 and Porsche Boxster from model years 1997 to 2005. Its build and design cause the bearing to prematurely fail, which causes a catastrophic engine failure.
Has the 2008 Boxster got an IMS problem?
The IMS (middle shaft) of an M96 or M97 engine is supported by a sealed ball bearing. the bearing installed on the intermediate shaft by
Porsche offers an interval, replacement process, or replacement IMS bearing for
It was not able to replace or upgrade the original factory IMS bearing until LN Engineering.
inquiries to find out all there is to know about intermediate shaft bearings
and why the best IMS bearing Retrofit and Solution products are those made by LN Engineering
Are there any IMS difficulties with the 2006 Cayman?
Although the proprietors on this site will tell you that the failure rate is extremely low, 2006 to 2007 (987.1) has an IMS. The motor with a substantially greater failure rate was the M96 (986 & 996) model.
The Porsche 997 is dependable.
Almost all of the car is trustworthy and has a classic appearance. Prices for the 997 have dropped even further as a result of the introduction of a new 992 platform. This daily supercar offers outstanding value and outstanding dependability.
What occurs if IMS fails?
The internals of the engine are typically polluted with debris as a result of an IMS bearing failure, necessitating the engine’s removal, rebuilding, or replacement. Extreme failures might impair cam timing, resulting in valve-piston impact and the necessity to rebuild or replace the complete engine.
Is the Porsche 997 a vintage car?
The Porsche 997 was the first new 911 whose styling was influenced by the original 911 once more. It is already regarded as a future classic due to its oval headlights. The final Carrera with manifold injection was the 997.1. Although it was more of a technological evolution than a revolution, costs are still substantially higher than in the nineties. Any 997 model is reliable in terms of price and a pleasure to drive. Even while driving is calming, it can nevertheless make you feel tense. The 997 is not a rational vehicle, but it is also not irrational either. Although it is a true sports car, it is also useful. It is a genuine 911, the 997.
The Porsche 997’s first generation is already viewed as a potential classic.
Which Porsche 997 is the best?
The Sport Classic, which was created to commemorate 25 years of Porsche Exclusive (the program that replaced Sonderwunsch), was the ideal example of all the skills acquired by Zuffenhausen’s bespoke division, with the ducktail spoiler, double bubble roof, and Fuchs alloys being the obvious highlights. Visit Data File to see all the specifications for the Porsche 997 Sport Classic.
How much does a Porsche 911’s IMS bearing cost to replace?
Thousands of independent technicians advocate IMS Retrofit ceramic hybrid ball bearing as the best preventive treatment because it is the only long-term fix for IMS bearing issues in M96/M97 engines. IMS Retrofit replacement bearings typically cost more than $4,000 in labor and materials, but they can be installed at the same time as the clutch. Compared to the price of rebuilding or replacing the entire engine, this is a relatively low expenditure. The cost of this repair should be weighed against the minimal likelihood that an IMS breakdown will occur in an older Porsche. You might decide it is worth the risk if you carefully evaluate the possibility of a future failure and compare it to the cost of an IMS Retrofit bearing. This preventative procedure, however, may very well be a worthwhile outlay to avoid future harm and larger spending in the future if you are worried about the health and well-being of your Porsche.
What does IMS stand for?
The IMS Solution is a long-term solution to the IMS bearing problems and ought to work throughout the duration of the engine. The IMS Solution offers a thorough, methodical approach to replacing the IMS bearing in addition to a critical update to the engine’s oil filtration system.
What Porsches are equipped with the M96 engine?
The 986 Boxster models from 1997 to 2004 and the 996 Carrera versions from 1999 to 2004 both used the M96 engine series on a formal basis. It should be noted that the M96 engine was used in various 2006 versions as well as the 997-1 Carrera and 987-1 Boxster in 2005.