8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHMetal and plastic shavings found in oil filter
Leading reported evidence
Replace ims bearing
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
For reference, my 996 has 93k miles and the previous owner preventatively replaced the IMS bearing with an LN Engineering unit back in 2016 (44k miles ago).
Leading evidence: 'Replace ims bearing' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check camshaft as well' (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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Suggestion
Your mechanic should have checked the camshaft deviation which can tell how far out of spec you are.
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Suggestion
+1 , I would RUN from any shop that didn't nkow what was going on here,, a Durametric would show the health of the valve system quickly..
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
For reference, my 996 has 93k miles and the previous owner preventatively replaced the IMS bearing with an LN Engineering unit back in 2016 (44k miles ago).
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.
8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T133652Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hi Rennlisters,
I have a 1999 Carrera and yesterday during an oil change my mechanic found metal and plastic shavings in the oil filter. This is concerning because of potential IMS issues, but the plastic is confusing. Has anyone had a similar situation and could shed light on this?
For reference, my 996 has 93k miles and the previous owner preventatively replaced the IMS bearing with an LN Engineering unit back in 2016 (44k miles ago). I have the records so I know it was done. Today I looked up the part # for the LN bearing and it wasn't the permanent fix, just a replacement unit. The website says it's good for 6 yrs / 75k miles....it's been 7 years. So I'm leaning toward that conclusion.
Mechanic thinks the plastic shavings could mean timing chain tensioner or similar is failing. As for the metal, I've sent the oil off to Blackstone Labs to analyze what type of metal was present so we can confirm if it's the bearing or not.
I've got some time to research while I wait for the oil analysis, so if anyone can shed some light on this, anecdotal or otherwise, it would be much appreciated.
TLDR:
1999 Carrera 2
93k miles
Last OC 5k miles / 1yr ago - no shavings present then
Below is a shot of the filter for reference:
Yes, plastic is variocam pad material, basically normal wear for these cars at this age/mileage. Your mechanic should have checked the camshaft deviation which can tell how far out of spec you are.
It's possible your pads are partially worn through or cracked and the chain is riding on metal, explaining the shavings. If you've had an IMS replacement, it's unlikely the metal is from the replacement failing, it just isn't very common and failure tends to be catastrophic.
They tested the metal and it is magnetic. Good to know about the plastic. Making a list of potential culprits, and in a week or so I'll have them start digging to find it.
This is good to know. Thank you. Once the shavings were found I sent off an oil sample and paused everything else. Car is sitting at home while I wait on the analysis, once I get the answer I'll take it back to the shop and have them dig deeper. & check the camshaft as well.
Plastic brown bits could be chain tensioner pads. There are 4 of them, top and bottom on both sides of the engine. They are replaceable, but it takes quite a few hours of labor to do this. Maybe 7-8 hours because the exhaust headers have to come off, the valve covers (which have integral oil scavenge pumps) have to come off. Porsche revised this with the 3.6 (3-chain engine) instead of the 3.4 (5-chain engine).
If the bits are black, could be IMS chain tensioner pad. That one isn�t easy to replace.
+1 , I would RUN from any shop that didn't nkow what was going on here,, a Durametric would show the health of the valve system quickly..
If the shop doesn't have a durametric or a pwis,(Or a tool that can display porsche cam deviation...) they are not an experienced Porsche shop.
I had similar responses at both local indy shops and it was because they were all air cooled guys and the water cooled stuff was just walking around money..
At first I thought they were fine then as I learned more I eventually went,, ok we have shops A,B,C and neither A or B had a clue...
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