19 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHIMS bearing failure.... I think.
Leading reported evidence
Install by a qualified installer who was trained
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The most pressing question will be, was the LNE bearing installed by a qualified installer who was trained on the detailed procedure.
Leading evidence: 'Install by a qualified installer who was trained' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check metal bits' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Install incorrectly, or engine issues had nothing whatsoever
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Bearing was installed incorrectly, or engine issues had nothing whatsoever to do with IMS it's just gets blamed for everything.
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Suggestion
First thing to do is take out the oil filter and drop the sump to check for metal bits.
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Suggestion · Original poster
After writing a pretty sizable check, I've got the car back....now I'm going through the factory recommended break in period.
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19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Sadly I think I may have had an IMS bearing failure on my '02 C4S yesterday. Let me start by mentioning that the previous owner had the LN Engineering IMS bearing upgrade done in 12/2014. That was at 42k miles...The car now has 51k miles.
Here's what happened... I drove down the street to grab a cup of coffee. No problem. When I restarted the car I heard some rattling/clicking coming from the engine bay ( not sure if this would qualify as the dreaded "marbles in a can" sound commonly heard right before an IMS bearing failure). I opened the engine cover and couldn't really ID where the sound was coming from... I thought it might be in the alternator. It wasn't super loud. I gave a light blip of the throttle and the sound seemed to lessen a bit. I decided to drive the car home...park it, and then get it to my Porsche independent shop on Monday. I drove the 100 yards to the exit of the coffe shop. Gently pulled out into the rotary and...20 yards later I heard a "crunch", the engine was instantly off, and all the dash lights were on. I didn't detect any lock-up. Habitually, I dropped the clutch, put it in neutral, and rolled through the rotary and off to a side street. I then had the car flat bedded to my independent. Which is where it sits.
I'm guessing it could also be something like a timing chain parting company. Regardless, I'm guessing this is going to be very expensive. Thoughts?
Peter
Sorry to hear that. It doesn't sound good for sure. Let's see what your mechanic finds first I guess. I agree with you it could be the imsb or timing chains. Depends on what the mechanic finds, if it's one of the timing chains and you're lucky enough to not have a bent valve, it may not be too bad. Keep us posted.
hopefully it's something minor. next time you hear a sound you're not used to hearing shut it down immediately, might save you a $15k rebuild / replacement. Fingers crossed for you.
Sorry to hear about that. Unfortunately, it does sound like it is going to be expensive. Very similar to my story about a year ago. Let's see what your mechanic finds. First thing to do is take out the oil filter and drop the sump to check for metal bits. Good luck with it.
I'm curious to hear if anyone has had experience with the LN IMS upgrade failing? If (and that is still an "if") it did, that is not terribly confidence inspiring.
I expect this post to be 1000 replies deep, but to answer your question there are a few threads claiming a LNE bearing failed. Do some searching.
The most pressing question will be, was the LNE bearing installed by a qualified installer who was trained on the detailed procedure. Good luck and sorry to hear about this.
Way, way to early to condemn any specific part, including the IMSB. Will be waiting with the rest to hear what the shop says. Hope for the best, but as an after-thought, if you hear something that doesn't sound right when the engine starts, shut it off, and investigate.
+996. May I add....was an engine PREQUAL properly done by a competent mechanic
BEFORE
the upgrade was done??
Do you have a sticker in your door jamb or paperwork showing that an actual LNE IMS upgrade was done???
Also if it was a classic or single row pro there have been accounts of the LN classic failing, no accounts to date of the pro. Hopefully it works out for you.
The cause of death was the LN Engineering IMS upgrade. The install was performed by European Performance in St. Petersburg, FL by the PO.
I had to purchase a short block (with 997 style IMS bearing). After writing a pretty sizable check, I've got the car back....now I'm going through the factory recommended break in period. My only consolation is that I have an engine that should ( fingers crossed) give me many years of satisfying and reliable motoring.
It means they are settling in on the couch and getting ready for a long show with lots of drama, some tears, and maybe, just maybe, some full frontal about 6 or 7 pages in. Stick around, you'll see...
We know when the bearing was changed and when it died, but how many miles did it have on it when it was sold?
Has an entire tear down of the motor occurred, or did they stop at the dead bearing and blame it like so many shops do?
Like so many of these threads, it's high on accusation and low on pertinent facts.
Unless you dumped some iron filings in there as you sealed it up or have the worst luck in the world, I'm pretty sure your motor is going to be just fine
I hope this ends well for you. Usually when we hear of a failed LN replacement bearing after peeling back a few layers we find under lying issues. Bearing was failing at time of replacement leaving debris that caused failure at later date. Bearing was installed incorrectly, or engine issues had nothing whatsoever to do with IMS it's just gets blamed for everything.
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