IMS Service Campaign

All, I was advised to email Porsche in Japan about the IMS service campaign so I did and they advised I am eligible for the campaign. My VIN is WP0ZZZ99Z3S604455 but last time I checked my VIN was outside of the class action VIN numbers and I had never heard of any other Porsche campaign re: IMS bearing. So that's the background. They advised they will remove the oil pan and inspect the IMS bearing then zip it back up and replace the oil and filter for free. They didn't say anything about what would happen if they found a problem. For those of you in the know is that an adequate check? I wasn't aware you could see the IMS bearing just by removing the oil pan. I'll certainly going to be doing this free check but was interested if anybody else has had this free check from Porsche? Thanks BTW I have a 2003 model C2

Wow, this is interesting. No, you can't inspect or even see the IMSB from the oil pan. They can check for debris in the pan and filter though. Keep us posted please.

Your VIN didn't return anything on this site, however it might pay to email Porsche directly? https://recall.porsche.com/prod/pag/...?ReadForm&c=gb

Interesting...the only thing that evaluation will reveal is the presence of debris or shrapnel from a failing IMSB. Im surprised they're doing this on a MY2003 car. Do keep us posted please.

YEah, my guess is they are looking for particles in the pan which didnt make their way to the filter or out the drain home during a normal oil change. I'll quiz the service guy when I get it there anyway, but hey, free 9L of Mobil 1 and a filter is worth the effort and I get to know if there is anything in the engine that I haven't seen. I have always had no visual particles on the filter and and change both oil and filter every 5000kms. Time to look for a nice engine schematic or similar to show them so as to let them know they can't see the IMS bearing and please explain to me what visual check of the IMS bearing means ;-)

Good plan...I'd do it too.

I found an image with the sump plate removed. I wonder if you could get a bore scope in there somewhere.

Yes to check cylinder bore scoring but not all the way to the IMSB.

Thanks Ahsai, good to know. cheers

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Not only that, the borescope couldn't have seen anything with the bearing seal in place anyway.

Any update on this?

Not yet. I emailed the service guy to book it in and asked about the actual process but no reply. I'll update as soon as I hear something. I'll follow up tomorrow. Sometimes Japanese are a bit slow with email replying.

I wonder if this is a marketing idea by Porsche Japan to get more business to their distributor's service department. It would likely create more business than an oil change special.

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They will say your IMS looks fine but that they noticed other particles in your oil pan. A.) Plastic bits, B.) Non Ferrous bits, C.) Copper, D.) Silicone/Rubber bits and recommend an entire engine overhaul for the upsell.

I agree this seems like one of those free check-up flyer gimmicks I receive. That would be quite shady if they were praying on the whole IMS hysteria to drum up business though.

If you're gonna remove the oil pan to check the IMS bearing, you might as well remove the front bumper to check your air filter too.

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I wonder if they will finger your sump for free?

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Dunno, this is Japan we're talking about. It's a given here but not so sure over there.

ok, got a response. They will remove the sump plate, check for any particles that don't find their way out of the drain plug. put it all back together with new oil and filter. No charge. They will report any findings but I will be driving it away within a day or two. Japan dealers won't rip you off. They will do exactly what they say. Nothing to lose. I've booked it in for the 11th May. I'll report back the experience and any interesting stuff.

Thanks for the update.

Thanks for updating us. I'll try with Porsche here in NZ to see whether they are doing this as well.

Car is in the shop. I collect it Saturday morning Japan time. I'll update again then.

ok, picked up the car. very uneventful. They advised nothing found in the sump/oil. I assume no real analysis so effectively a free oil and filter change. They did replace my magnetic sump plug for the original one at no charge, typical Japanese service, bring it back to original. Gave me my old plug back in a little bag. They also washed the car also... yay! On the invoice they detailed the work as workshop coupon PJ03. item is T SSPJ03. Maybe you can inquire at your local dealer and quote this coupon/item code. Thanks for reading, hope it helps somebody out for a free check. cheers btw no upsell either...

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I wonder if they are just trying to get in front of any potential engine failures by offering a good deal on a trade if the inspection showed metal in the oil. They found no problems so like you said, free oil change and car wash.

Thanks for the update. I wish they didn't pull your magnetic plug though. It's somethng good to have.