12 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHigher Viscosity to Oil Minimize IMS Issue?
Leading reported evidence
Replace many ims bearings
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Many IMS bearings have been replaced at or near the 100 mile mark and have been reported to look fine.
Leading evidence: 'Replace many ims bearings' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'oil' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Lubricate properties of the base stock suffers' (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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Discussions that suspect a cause
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Suspected cause
If that's the case then most likely an oil with small amounts of metallic sacrificial alloys like ZDDP may be in order, so long as they won't foul the cats and O2 sensors.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
Too many additives and the lubricating properties of the base stock suffers.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
If that is the case it is probably too late for the engine oil to have a positive effect on the bearing, you need to replace the bearing.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
There is no problem using 5W/40 especially if weather is hotter.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
oil
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
If that's the case then most likely an oil with small amounts of metallic sacrificial alloys like ZDDP may be in order, so long as they won't foul the cats and O2 sensors.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
12 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T124918Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Guys, I've been using 0W-40 Mobil1 throughout the life of my 2002 996 (47,000 miles) with no issues.
Just wondering how many folks have switched to a slightly higher viscosity (Castrol 5W/40) to help reduce any potential IMS issues. I don't want to feed the paranoia on this issue, but I also don't want to overlook a potential simple change that may reduce the chance of a problem. Thanks!
Changing the viscosity of the oil will not normally effect the IMS issues. The IMS bearing is a sealed bearing so the oil used in the engine won't have an effect on the IMS bearing unless the seal have either failed or been removed. If the seals are failing this may be caused by the beginning of the bearing failure tearing at the seals. If that is the case it is probably too late for the engine oil to have a positive effect on the bearing, you need to replace the bearing.
In my case, based on recommendations from LN Engineering (at the time I had my engine out of the car the dual row bearing removal tool was not yet available) I removed the outer seal on the bearing, which allows some of the engine oil to get to the bearing. This is not pressure fed oil but may have some positive effect is the original sealed lubricant is going or gone bad.
Now to jump into a really controversial subject. I don't rum 0W-40 oil, or Mobil 1. Mobil 1 has been reformulated and certain additives have been reduced or eliminated. In particularly ZDDP, and anti wear additive. I run Castrol Syntech, and it a 5W-40 winter and 5W-50 summer. IMHO 0w is too thin and Castrol at this time has more ZDDP. Many people are going to "boutique oils" that have better additives.
Do some searches on oils and you will find discussions ad-nauseum.
IMS bearing is self lubed and sealed, and does not rely on motor oil for lubrication. Another point is 5w40 vs 0w40 will have the same (published) viscosities when at operating temperature. The number preceeding the w is the winter pour point, I believe measured at 0 degrees C.
Many IMS bearings have been replaced at or near the 100 mile mark and have been reported to look fine. We've also heard reports of failures at less than 25k and heard of instances of surpassing 200k without incedent.
I liken the IMS discussions to religion and your beliefs and thoughts. Still a lot we don't know, everyone has their own comfort zone and acts accordingly.
The key is an oil that MAINTAINS its advertised viscosity AFTER the standard (SAE/ API) measurement point of 212F.
Lots of oils that are a 10/40 at 212F are no longer a 40 weight when they reach the normal oil temperature level of an M96 engine.
One of the first things that occurs with IMSBF occurrences is the oil begins to infiltrate the sealed cavity of the bearing, thus washing away the permanent lubrication.
If that's the case then most likely an oil with small amounts of metallic sacrificial alloys like ZDDP may be in order, so long as they won't foul the cats and O2 sensors.
I'm aware of that. Too many additives and the lubricating properties of the base stock suffers. That's why there is not one oil that is good for all applications and probably never will be.
Absolutely. Thats why I found long ago that nothing that could be bought over the counter was a true solution. Thoise choices were too impacted by API standards and conformity.
Even with an application specific oil we have found that we need one flavor for the street and another "race" flavor for the track. A true race oil with additive packages that are totally depleted in as little as 750 miles. The difference is it'll live at 300F for those 750 miles and in UOA will still be rated as a 45 weight even with fuel intrusion.
I have many UOA where the 40 weight oil was rated 25-30 weight after 5,000 miles on the street and others where two days on the track completely depleted the oil of all its effectiveness.
The other challenge is developing an oil with these characteristics that maintains a sane pour rate at ambient temp.
Anyone ever look at Quantum Blue oil from BND Automotive? Stuff is pretty pricey but sounds good. I've read tests of their fuel additive that was proven to meet their claims. Wonder if the same holds true for their oil?
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