What's new
Porsche 911 UK Enthusiasts Online Community Discussion Forum GB

Welcome to the @Porsche911UK website. Register a free account today to become a member! Sign up is quick and easy, then you can view, participate in topics and posts across the site that covers all things Porsche.

Already registered and looking to recovery your account, select 'login in' and then the 'forget your password' option.

Porsche Car Sales

Sparkling oil, time for IMS Replacement ?

F

Fabs911

New member
Joined
18 Jan 2020
Messages
12
Hi

Today, when changing the oil and filter on my 996 I noticed that the oil was a bit sparkling when touched the oil drainer. Although I put a magnet where the oil was draining but didn't catch anything, checked the oil filter and also nothing.
It is the first time I am changing the oil on my 996 is a reason to worry about or can I just keep drive but keep a closer look on it?
I did budget an IMS replacement when I bought the car, but would be great to wait till it needs a clutch.

Regards
 
For peace of mind you could perhaps send a sample of your engine oil off for analysis... plenty of companies advertising on the www

Worth a try.. :?:
 
I didn't think about it actually.
Unfortunately, I don't have the oil anymore, obviously, the new one won't have any debris in it (hopefully,) perhaps I'd better off driving a few months and change the oil again and send it.
 
How many miles had the oil done. How long was the oil in the engine, talking year, months or what.. :?:
 
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to an IMS im afraid so ill just post what i have seen ..

There is often no prior warning of an IMS failure .. no noises no running issues from the owners i have spoken to that have had this happen .

To check the condition you remove the gearbox , flywheel .. lock the crank .. timing tools etc and remove the cover .. you are looking for side to side play .. in / out and spin it for noises .

A small amount of shiny material sitting on top of the oil drained out doesn't always indicate an IMS failing ... i've seen it a few times shall we say with no problems at all.

You look in the bottom of the plastic container .. if metal in the bottom then yes .. something is certainly amiss .

you cut open the oil filter and lay it out flat .. again any shiny bits of metal are a good indicator that the IMS bearing is breaking up .

The usual mileage for a failure was 40K .. it can happen later but that was the mileage i've seen most fail at .

It's not that common these days .. i've not seen one in about a year but i work at just one garage and there are many garages in this country .

If you are concerned about a possible failure then get it checked .. perhaps have a clutch done at the same time and the IMS bearing cover removed if its all ok .. peace of mind then .
 
Take it from someone who has been in your exact situation, get it changed now.

Mine came out (dual row) and I recon it would have gone pretty quickly after if I hadn't done it. It's cheap Insurance.

My car has zero symptoms of failure, no noises no rattles nothing. Just a few flakes of silvery metal in the oil filter which had come from the IMS bearing races and balls

Engine is now fixed and running a treat.
 
Luddite said:
How many miles had the oil done. How long was the oil in the engine, talking year, months or what.. :?:
Click to expand...

the last service was done 1 year ago
 
Given the OP reported the oil having non magnetic particulate matter, could be alloy though wonder if the IMS is stainless and thus non magnetic..?

Just thinking in type.. :?: :eek:ld:
 
deMort said:
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to an IMS im afraid so ill just post what i have seen ..

There is often no prior warning of an IMS failure .. no noises no running issues from the owners i have spoken to that have had this happen .

To check the condition you remove the gearbox , flywheel .. lock the crank .. timing tools etc and remove the cover .. you are looking for side to side play .. in / out and spin it for noises .

A small amount of shiny material sitting on top of the oil drained out doesn't always indicate an IMS failing ... i've seen it a few times shall we say with no problems at all.

You look in the bottom of the plastic container .. if metal in the bottom then yes .. something is certainly amiss .

you cut open the oil filter and lay it out flat .. again any shiny bits of metal are a good indicator that the IMS bearing is breaking up .

The usual mileage for a failure was 40K .. it can happen later but that was the mileage i've seen most fail at .

It's not that common these days .. i've not seen one in about a year but i work at just one garage and there are many garages in this country .

If you are concerned about a possible failure then get it checked .. perhaps have a clutch done at the same time and the IMS bearing cover removed if its all ok .. peace of mind then .
Click to expand...

Hi, I did open and checked the oil filter and the oil filter cap and there was any shiny stuff, only just on the oil when it drained.
Also had a magnet on the drainer to catch any debris though, but it came clean as well

Anyway, I was already thinking about replacing it for peace of mind, I just don't know how urgent would be.
 
Now the doubt is in your mind you'll probably keep worrying til you know for sure...
 
All good advice but one question unanswered (unless I missed it?) what colour were the shinny non-metallic particles. If they were bronze, copper (not magnetic) or glittery it can also mean crankshaft bearing wear. If the mileage is over 80K I would monitor the particle release again soon (yes cut open the filter) and make sure they are just silver.

Now guys - please don't start having a go because this would be bad news - it's not my fault and the question has been asked and this is a real possibility and frankly - if they are from a crank bearing it will be cheaper to try and fix it before the crank is damaged than afterwards.

I really hope this is not the cause and that by checking the colour you can be reassured about it.

Good luck,


Baz
 
To be honest depending on the car I'd be less worried about the ims exploding than I would be about the crank bearing destroying itself!!!
I have an oil analysis done every six months. I've no metal in the oil at the moment. I'm looking primarily for copper and lead. That'll be the bearing and seen as I have zero so far the minute I see some it'll be off for a rebuild hopefully in time that the crank isn't destroyed beyond rework.
If you've seen some metal I'd be planning the work now, otherwise you'll just drive round wondering when and not enjoying ownership!
 
bazhart said:
All good advice but one question unanswered (unless I missed it?) what colour were the shinny non-metallic particles. If they were bronze, copper (not magnetic) or glittery it can also mean crankshaft bearing wear. If the mileage is over 80K I would monitor the particle release again soon (yes cut open the filter) and make sure they are just silver.

Now guys - please don't start having a go because this would be bad news - it's not my fault and the question has been asked and this is a real possibility and frankly - if they are from a crank bearing it will be cheaper to try and fix it before the crank is damaged than afterwards.

I really hope this is not the cause and that by checking the colour you can be reassured about it.

Good luck,


Baz
Click to expand...

This was my biggest fear when I saw metal in my oil filter, turned out to be the IMS, which thankfully has been replaced without any further debris contamination after being flushed thoroughly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Confusing Oil Pressure Problem
2
Replies
18
Views
2K
bananaz
B
Haalex
996.1 engine woes
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
ATM ATM
A
stupidget
Useful info regarding oil cap. Well I found it useful anyway.
Replies
7
Views
785
Luddite
L
K
Changing gearbox oil without removing fill or drain plug
Replies
6
Views
607
Mac68
Mac68
stupidget
Oil pressure doesn't go up to 5 when warmed up.
Replies
2
Views
631
stupidget
stupidget
M
P0011 recurring issue. Help!
Replies
2
Views
567
mi6_team
M
R
For Sale 964 C4 LHD RS REPLICA £70k
Replies
5
Views
1K
Rallyeman
R
Passion for perfection Porsche Car Sales

Latest posts

New Threads

Porsche Model Range

Porsche 911

Porsche 992: 2018- Porsche 992: 2018- Porsche 991: 2011-2019 Porsche 991: 2011-2019 Porsche 997: 2004-2012 Porsche 997: 2004-2012 Porsche 996: 1997-2005 Porsche 996: 1997-2005 Porsche 993: 1993-1998 Porsche 993: 1993-1998 Porsche 964: 1989-1993 Porsche 964: 1989-1993 Porsche Carrera 3.2: 1983-1989 Porsche Carrera 3.2: 1983-1989 Porsche Carrera SC: 1977-1983 Porsche Carrera SC: 1977-1983 Porsche 930 Turbo: 1975-1989 Porsche 930 Turbo: 1975-1989 Porsche Early 911: 1964-1977 Porsche Early 911: 1964-1977

Porsche Hypercars

Porsche 918 Spyder Porsche 918 Spyder Porsche Carrera GT Porsche Carrera GT Porsche GT1 Porsche GT1 Porsche 959 Porsche 959

Other Current Porsche Model

Porsche Taycan : (2019-0%) Porsche Taycan : (2019-0%) Porsche Macan : 2013- Porsche Macan : 2013- Porsche Panamera : 2009- Porsche Panamera : 2009- Porsche Cayman: 2005- Porsche Cayman: 2005- Porsche Cayenne: 2003- Porsche Cayenne: 2003- Porsche Boxster: 1997- Porsche Boxster: 1997-

Porsche Legacy Models

Porsche 928 Porsche 928 Porsche 968 Porsche 968 Porsche 944 Porsche 944 Porsche 924 Porsche 924 Porsche 914 Porsche 914 Porsche 912 Porsche 912 Porsche 904 Porsche 904 Porsche 550 Porsche 550 Porsche 356 Speedster Porsche 356 Speedster Porsche 356 Porsche 356

Forum statistics

Threads
124,533
Messages
1,441,249
Members
48,944
Latest member
Spider69

porsche insurance porsche parts porsche sales porsche car sales porsche for sale
porsche classic sales porsche tuning porsche sold porsche specialist porsche engine rebuilds porsche driver training porsche car sales porsche exhausts

Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd. XenForo theme by xenfocus

www.911uk.com @Porsche911UK THE DEFINITIVE PORSCHE FORUM Copyright © 911UK 2002-2024 All rights reserved.

911uk.com is not associated and is wholly independent of Porsche Automobil Holdings SE, Dr. Ing.h.c.F.Porsche AG, Porsche Cars GB, its subsidiaries and offical Porsche centres. Any word, phrase or graphic that in any way resembles anything to do with the Porsche name or organisation are registered trademarks of Porsche Automobil Holdings SE and Dr. Ing.h.c.F. Porsche AG.

Back
Top