How to Deal With IMS Bearing Failure in a Porsche

In cars, IMS bearing stands for Intermediate Shaft (Bearing) which supports the intermediate shaft on the flywheel side of the motor.

They work to drive the camshafts indirectly off the crankshaft and by using this intermediate shaft, it reduces the speeds of the chains and prolongs their life.

And in case of Porsche's horizontally-opposed flat 6 engine, the IMS bearing has become a standard build for proper functioning.

What models are prone to failure?

The Porsche models like the water-cooled Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models have the same internal setup as the earlier air-cooled engines and their bearings rarely fails.

However, if you own one of the following, you should probably be on the lookout for an excellent European auto mechanic like the ones at Euro Plus Automotive.

- Any 986 Boxster models - 987 Cayman & Boxster models up to engine number 61504715 - Any 996 models (except for GT and Turbo models) - 997 3.6ltr with M96/05 up to engine number 6950745

What goes wrong with Porsche's IMS bearings?

One of the most significant reasons for bearing failure in the IMS is when a high load combines with a lack of lubrication, which causes overheating.

The overheated metal in the bearing causes friction and fracturing, leaving pits behind in its wake.

These pits accelerate the cycle of wear and tear exponentially, causing premature IMS bearing failure.

The worst case scenario

In the worst of cases, a failed IMS bearing will throw your cam timing off, which will then cause contact between the valve and piston, leaving you to purchase another core.

Otherwise, you will pay a continually increasing core charge from Porsche beyond the cost of the replacement engine.

Repairing it requires a complete engine disassembly and replacing the intermediate shaft and often needs a complete rebuild or engine replacement as well.

What can you do to fix this problem?

Prevention, early detection, and replacement of your IMS bearing before failure are your best options to save you the cost of engine failure.

A service technician skilled in European vehicles can help you detect and replace your IMS bearing before it is too late.

If you have a model 20062008 engine, the grease seals can be removed from the factory IMS Bearings to improve their lubrication and cooling.

Another option is to tear down the engine for installing upgraded IMS bearings, but in older models (1997-2005), the IMS bearing is accessible without tearing down the engine.

It is important to note that any IMS upgrade you do to your engine must be preventive maintenance.

And if the engine fails, then you have to rebuild or replace the entire engine in order to avoid contaminating of the new IMS bearing.

What are the warning signs?

Look for these three warning signs to indicate IMS bearing failure: - Metallic debris in the oil filter during an oil change - Oil leak at the rear of the engine - Knocking and metallic sounds coming from the back of the motor

Your IMS bearing does not have to be an expensive repair, as if you notice any of these signs, call your local Porsche mechanic immediately to get your car checked out.

If you are in the San Fernando Valley, Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, or the greater Los Angeles County, CA, check in with Euro Plus Automotive for excellent service on European specialty models.

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