996 IMS bearing options and Oil leak

[528Sport]

So my 1998 3.4 went for an MOT and service. All fine MOT wise.
The garage reported an oil leak from the top of the engine and reckon its an oil cooler seal failing.
Gear box out ect ect......

So if I go down this route and get it fixed it seems logical to do the IMS bearing and RMS and possibly clutch.

Are LM Engineering the only manufacturer of "upgraded" bearings? I've never been a fan of after market parts, I understand that LM engineering's bearing is good. I've used the search options and LM are the only ones that come up, are there any other options? OEM part maybe? Did Porsche correct the IMS weakness?

The car has done 86K miles.


Thanks,


Dave

[cd1957]

Hi if its oil/water heatexchanger seal ths leaking,u dont have to take box out to access it.

Chris

[528Sport]

Thank you


Good to know


Dave

[Geoff997]

This looks to be a good solution with direct oil feed to the IMS bearing.
http://tunersmotorsports.com/?page_id=103

[ras62]

The 3.4 cars were fitted with a dual row IMS prior to 2000/2001 which doesn't have the reliability issues of the later single row version in the 3.6 cars.

[MontyC]

ras62 said:

The 3.4 cars were fitted with a dual row IMS prior to 2000/2001 which doesn't have the reliability issues of the later single row version in the 3.6 cars.

Well thats a load of C**P. They were less prone to going then the later single row IMS.

Edited by MontyC on Wednesday 5th August 12:00

[ras62]

Is that a question or a statement? This is a statement.Yes they were less prone to breaking as disclosed by PCNA in the recent class action lawsuit. 1% v 8% iirc.

[was8v]

Its true, the dual row IMS bearing fitted to 3.4s has a vastly lower failure rate than the cost-cutting single row fitted to later cars.

3.4 also have a better piston coating that doesn't break down and lead to premature bore wear, an issue with every later M96.

3.4 did suffer poor castings (block and head) manifesting as leaky RMS, cracking blocks and cracked heads, but those showed themselves early in life so any in good health now probably escaped this.

OP I would change your oil cooler and crack on, forget about IMS bearing and RMS until you need a clutch and then they can be inspected.

[LordHaveMurci]

What about the LN IMS bearing though on a later 996?

[EGTE_RPF]

MontyC said:

ras62 said:

The 3.4 cars were fitted with a dual row IMS prior to 2000/2001 which doesn't have the reliability issues of the later single row version in the 3.6 cars.

Well thats a load of C**P. They were less prone to going then the later single row IMS.

Edited by MontyC on Wednesday 5th August 12:00

Isn't that exactly what he just said?

[pete a]

So on a tangent what about a 2004 C4s with 60k miles say, would this be a thing that's needs doing and would be worth doing or is the 3.6 just a ticking time bomb regardless?

[528Sport]

Thanks everyone.
I'm going to get the car up on ramps and have a look at this leak.

Cheers,


Dave

[was8v]

pete a said:

So on a tangent what about a 2004 C4s with 60k miles say, would this be a thing that's needs doing and would be worth doing or is the 3.6 just a ticking time bomb regardless?

Any car engine is a ticking time bomb. Just buy the thing and enjoy it. If it grenades buy then chalk it up