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Best IMS Bearing upgrade or stay original ?


JimzBoxa

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Not sure why you are going into that area but if you can inspect it. Has the oil been replaced annually? If ok leave alone, if showing wear replace, make a note of miles and look to replace again in the future. As this point in time in the cars life  (it’s not let go yet) I suspect it’s ok and best left alone. 

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What year, engine, mileage? As above, if it looks in good condition just leave it as you are more likely to introduce an issue by changing it IMHO.

Just checked your posts and it’s a 2.5 Tiptronic just like mine. The 2.5 has the dual row bearing which doesn’t have an issue with failure unlike the layer single row bearings. The oil leak you are seeing may be from the RMS, but don’t discount a leak from higher on the engine that has run down to the bell housing. The 2.5 has plastic spark plug tubes with rubber seals which can fail, so worth checking these as it’s a pretty straightforward job to replace, whereas it’s a big job to remove the tip box😬

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8 minutes ago, Nobbie said:

What year, engine, mileage? As above, if it looks in good condition just leave it as you are more likely to introduce an issue by changing it IMHO.

Just checked your posts and it’s a 2.5 Tiptronic just like mine. The 2.5 has the dual row bearing which doesn’t have an issue with failure unlike the layer single row bearings. The oil leak you are seeing may be from the RMS, but don’t discount a leak from higher on the engine that has run down to the bell housing. The 2.5 has plastic spark plug tubes with rubber seals which can fail, so worth checking these as it’s a pretty straightforward job to replace, whereas it’s a big job to remove the tip box😬

My dual row 2.5 bearing fell apart. Just thought I'd let you know😏

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38 minutes ago, jonogt6 said:

My dual row 2.5 bearing fell apart. Just thought I'd let you know😏

You’ve been very unlucky there, but it’s not a common enough occurrence on the 2.5 to make it the go to diagnosis when oil is leaking from the bell housing. Best to eliminate all other possibilities before shelling out 10 hours labour just to pull the Tiptronic box before you even start looking at the bearing.

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What age is your car, and if you have it available the engine number.  Up to part way through the 2001 model year the engines (to 651 12851 for 2.7 and to 671 11237 for 3.2) have a dual row IMSB which is much more reliable than the later single row.  Also unless you have good evidence it might fail, like the race seals have disintegrated, don't mess.  Any oil in this area is more likely to be the RMS (rear main seal).

I am only aware of one recent case of a failing IMSB being caught and none of any actual failures.  General consensus is that if it was going to go it would have by now as these cars are all at least 18 years old, and if they go it is likely to be catastrophic.

Final note, spending £1200-£1500 to correctly install a ceramic or oil fed solution is a big chunk of the value of the car.  Bear in mind that those selling these solutions have a vested interest.  It is a bit of a hike up the road from LE12 to Revolution at Brighouse, or across to Cotswold Porsche, both are trusted indys who are known to advise well on this issue and it is usually, 'don't do it' or 'not worth it'.

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3 hours ago, Clivescoobydo said:

Did you lose your engine? 

No it's still going strong nearly eight years later. Fortunately it never lost its timing...just started to make some very worrying noises!Considering how much bearing debris was embedded in the oil pick up strainer and the state of the bearing when it was removed it seems I got lucky. A fair few oil changes have been performed since then and no obvious signs of any metal particles in the filters.

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New to Porsche, just worried after reading about the IMS. only had car 6 months, ive used very little and its started a tiny oil leak that wasnt there. About 8ish drops on garage floor after been out then stops until the next time. Very confusing.

Cars a 1998 2.5 tronic auto with 47k, fully serviced by an indy Porsche specialist

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Totally understand the Porsche Paranoia , been there and had the t-shirt.

I guess bottom line is you need to establish where the leak is coming from - I wouldn’t assume it’s the IMS.

Has your Indy looked at it ?

Any pics of where it’s coming from ? (Undertrays off and ideally up in the air).

The Rear Main Seal (RMS) can be a leak point which although annoying is not a catastrophic issue if a slight leak. Seems to be done as a job when folks need a new clutch too.

Once diagnosed (say it is the RMS) if the IMS looks good and has lasted 25 years I’d leave it alone.

What do you think @TROOPER88?

OP is in the LE12 postcode area.

Edited by iborguk
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4 hours ago, jonogt6 said:

No it's still going strong nearly eight years later. Fortunately it never lost its timing...just started to make some very worrying noises!Considering how much bearing debris was embedded in the oil pick up strainer and the state of the bearing when it was removed it seems I got lucky. A fair few oil changes have been performed since then and no obvious signs of any metal particles in the filters.

I suspect the fact it had the dual row bearing probably made it salvageable, possibly one race kept it enough in shape after the other broke up.  I'll add your to 2 I know of that have been caught before complete failure.

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I’ve done 220k on original duel row IMS, I had my clutch changed last year but left the IMS well alone.

Do some research and you’ll find conflicting messages, however due to the age if I put a new one in the housing and other components that the IMS goes into could be worn which could cause the new one to let go. 
 

If you have the duel row IMS I wouldn’t touch it, 

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