Boxster 986 (1997) Potential IMS failure?
Discussion
Hi all,
I was driving my Boxster last Sunday when the car suddenly developed what sounded like a scraping noise from the rear right hand side. I pulled over, left the engine idling and the noise stopped, set off again and the noise started again but then quickly stopped and didn't reappear for the 60+ miles on the journey home. Approx 40 of those miles where motorway miles.
The following morning it took me 3 attempts to start the car, it fired up each time but immediately cut out and would only idle after revving the engine for approx 10 seconds, so I thought it best to go straight to a local Porsche specialist. They were immediately concerned with a faint ticking noise at around 1500RPM and attributed this to a possible timing issue so had the car up on the ramps to listen with a stethoscope and are concerned the IMS bearing is failing.
The durametric showed no faults but camshaft deviation at 0 when idling which in the specialists opinion is something they have never seen!
The results of a compression test are "average at best"
In the last 12 months I've had a new MAF fitted, Idle control valve, Lambda sensor and the vario cam guides replaced.
The specialist has said they can't be certain the bearing is failing without removing the gear box to inspect it but then attempting to remove the bearing could result in it falling into the engine meaning a rebulid. Understandably I'm reluctant to pay someone to attempt to put things right only to make them worse!
Having spoke with another specialist this morning they basically told me that if the IMS bearing is going to fail it will happen instantly and that none of the symptoms I've described can be linked to a failing/failed IMS and that i should keep driving the car.
Receiving such conflicting advice leaves me none the wiser as to what my next move should be, the car certainly isn't worth enough to warrant an engine re build but any help or further advice on here would be greatly appreciated.
Cars mileage is 110,00, also has a small oil leak that I've assumed is RMS but which I'm now thinking could have been the IMS seal.
Thanks in advance, Phil.
I was driving my Boxster last Sunday when the car suddenly developed what sounded like a scraping noise from the rear right hand side. I pulled over, left the engine idling and the noise stopped, set off again and the noise started again but then quickly stopped and didn't reappear for the 60+ miles on the journey home. Approx 40 of those miles where motorway miles.
The following morning it took me 3 attempts to start the car, it fired up each time but immediately cut out and would only idle after revving the engine for approx 10 seconds, so I thought it best to go straight to a local Porsche specialist. They were immediately concerned with a faint ticking noise at around 1500RPM and attributed this to a possible timing issue so had the car up on the ramps to listen with a stethoscope and are concerned the IMS bearing is failing.
The durametric showed no faults but camshaft deviation at 0 when idling which in the specialists opinion is something they have never seen!
The results of a compression test are "average at best"
In the last 12 months I've had a new MAF fitted, Idle control valve, Lambda sensor and the vario cam guides replaced.
The specialist has said they can't be certain the bearing is failing without removing the gear box to inspect it but then attempting to remove the bearing could result in it falling into the engine meaning a rebulid. Understandably I'm reluctant to pay someone to attempt to put things right only to make them worse!
Having spoke with another specialist this morning they basically told me that if the IMS bearing is going to fail it will happen instantly and that none of the symptoms I've described can be linked to a failing/failed IMS and that i should keep driving the car.
Receiving such conflicting advice leaves me none the wiser as to what my next move should be, the car certainly isn't worth enough to warrant an engine re build but any help or further advice on here would be greatly appreciated.
Cars mileage is 110,00, also has a small oil leak that I've assumed is RMS but which I'm now thinking could have been the IMS seal.
Thanks in advance, Phil.
Boxster 986 rough idle.: http://youtu.be/wanvze_k4Tk
I've uploaded a video of me trying to start the car.
I've uploaded a video of me trying to start the car.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff