Replacing AOS, is IMS necessary ?

So I need to replace my AOS. Will have my local indy do it. They're suggesting while ithe engine is out to do the IMS as well due to the labor savings. Of course this also increases the bill substantially. The issue I have is with mine being an early 98 dual row build, is this really necessary ? The failure rate for the early 99's are very low. I'm just turning 95,000 miles and you get to a point where you wonder how much makes sense to spend on a car that's 20 years old. Probably no one good answer here but thought I would throw it out there.

I think I would probably do it while it is out if for no other reason than the bump in resale value should you decide to sell. It's way easier to say it's been done than try to explain why it doesn't need to be done. Also, have your indy check your cam deviations, it may also be a great time to do the timing chain guides while the engine is out. Spec is +or- 6 degrees. I have one out of spec and plan to do them next winter with the AOS, IMS, RMS, and anything else I see.

I thought the AOS could be done with out dropping the engine?

Yeah no need to drop engine for AOS. Takes more time and way more room but more expensive too.

Before I bought my car I had an indy look it over. Half way into his drive the thing started smoking like mad. Brought it back to the car lot and they replaced the AOS without dropping the engine. They said it took well into a full day to replace it. Dropping the engine might be quicker .. and doing those other things becomes infinitely easier.

I did read about DIY'ng the AOS on Pelican Parts, but it seems like one of those projects that could quickly get away from me resulting in a flatbed tow...

I thought I was nuts..lol. I am having the AOS replaced by my Indy and he never mentioned dropping the engine. But he said it would take some time. Cost 900 I believe. Though he is going to do a few other projects too.

$900 is better than the $1300 I need to spend. Throw in the IMS/RMS and it goes to $4100.

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I am in a similar boat. I know my AOS needs replacing as well as the RMS and at that point, with 51k miles, I might as well do the clutch and while it is all out I might as well do the IMS. I am just going to do it all because if something breaks I don't have to pay for double labor. Additionally, if I need or want to sell it at some points, its addressed and I will have proof of it. As for is it necessary? That is a tough question to answer, the failure rate seems much lower for the dual rows but the reality it is a blown engine makes all of this chump change.

I have 103k on the car. I am doing the AOS but the clutch is good but I will likely do it at the end of the year. At that point I will have the RMS done as well with the clutch.

Just finished an AOS install today, it can be done with floor jack, stands, a large assortment of wrenches sockets and a lot of patience. While your in there included AOS coolant hoses, oil fill pipe and the coolant line fitting beside the alternator.

Geezus, these shops are gouging !! I never charged over 3 hours labor for AOS on manual 996 or any 986.. The 986 was much easier and almost felt guilty charging 3 hours labor on them. 996 Tiptronic is a different story, requires the intake manifold bank 1 removal and is almost easier to drop the engine.. But a 996 manual is not that bad for a pro Technician, I have never wrestled with one more than 3 hours. BTW there is no book time on this procedure, so the price" is what it is" ...If they actually remove the engine/transmission unit, then by all means address whatever needs attention..

I'd be tempted to leave the IMSB if cam deviation and UOA all check out.

Porschetech, what is reasonable? 900 seemed like a good price.

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Any pro Technician should be happy with 5 hours pay for replacing an AOS on a 996 manual..(labor rate per hour varies by location)

Well played...

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Where are you located? I could use a good, fair Indy

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I think it depends on how long you expect to keep the car. The engine will eventually need to be rebuilt before 200k unless those are highway miles. At that point, IMS Solution... If the AOS will be done with engine in the car, then it doesn�t make sense. If out, well, it�s a rabbit hole. If the RMS is leaking or you need a clutch, that�s different, the IMSB might make sense because you are right there. I would try to see i you can get the AOS done yourself or engine in the car. It�s a pain, sure, but that�s what I would try. We have dual row bearings in our cars, and we already took a gamble on leaving it alone. Why not laugh at the IMS gods and flaunt our dual-row bearing in their faces? One of two things will happen: 1.) Karma is a b^|�� and we deserve a failed IMSB and destroyed engine for taunting the gods and not taking the advice or pretty much everyone with any sense at all. So we pay the price, admit fault, move on. 2.) The gods can try all they want, but the early IMSB is no match. And then early cars become notable. Didn�t Apollo, with its 230,000+ miles have an original IMSB?

Certainly valid points. Seems like you have to take apart half the engine in order to replace the AOS which is why I'm not thinking this is a good idea for me. I guess another question would be, how long should a clutch last and how do you know if it's going bad ? My clutch seems fine, but it's one of those things where, ok the engine is out to do the AOS and at almost 100k in mileage, is it ust a matter of time before that needs to be replaced and since we're doing that, might as well do the IMS/RMS.

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If you have 100,000 miles on the clutch, you might not have much time left. They can last 200,000 miles, or 30,000 miles, but most give up not far from where you are now. You might be looking at clutch, IMSB, RMS, AOS, all at the same time. I would do all of these only if the engine is healthy and doesn�t show signs of bore scoring.

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$4100 is getting close to The Solution $... remember, that doing multiple jobs while your engine is out reduces the labor cost per job substantially. Don't let them quote you separate labor per job if they're doing multiple jobs at the same time. The AOS is only a $200 part - so the cost for the job is mostly labor

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something wrong here. No way it should be +$3000 for IMS and RMS once the engine is down. It sounds to me like they are not going to drop the engine for AOS, but they are going to remove trans to do the other work. Get more info. Not adding up here.

Maybe they are billing it as two separate jobs charging for two engine drops?

Will probably just do it one at a time. $1300 to do the AOS is palatable and I can always bring it back in if the clutch needs to be replaced.

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I'm retired in Bama, doing like Bachman, Turner, Overdrive (BTO) and " Taking care of Business" It would take a Golden Dinosaur to get me back in the jungle !!

What about a golden Buddha 20' tall? I might be able to get my hands on one of them, LOL Love your advice, it helps me understand this new world of P ownership I have. Keep giving!!!!

Prior owner of my car did AOS, RMS, clutch and IMS Solution via a certified installer for $4700 about 2 years ago. It�s been done for less but if you are being quoted $4100 and your car can be certified for The Solution, do it and enjoy it.