Metal flakes in oil filter 2003 911 Carrera

I bought a 2003 911 in October 2024 (20,000 miles). The dealership did tell me the IMS bearing had been replaced. Had the oil changed about 1 month ago. They said I have metal flakes in my oil filter. Said I need to replace or rebuild the engine. I�m at a total loss here. Can anyone advise me on what I need to do? Any info you may have would be greatly appreciated!!

Ferrous or non-ferrous? With that low of miles, it could be either. That car has sat for too long. Seems to happen to lots of low mileage 996es. Most likely the engine will require rebuilding.

Sorry, I mis-read the part about the recommendation to replace or rebuild the engine.

Sorry this happened to you..... Hate to see another one of these all to common 996 weekly engine failure threads. With the very limited info you've given us seems you've got to trust your Porsche shop, or bring it to another shop and get another onion. If you trust the shop, got to believe what they saw in the filter was alarming enough for them to condemn the engine. So probably wasn't just a flake or 2. Any pics of filter pleats opened up..? Did they drop the sump..? Although with a filter packed with metal probably not needed to condemn engine... How did the dealership know the imsb had been replaced..? jmo

So many possibilities of different scenarios…”if” ims bearing was replaced it may have not been done correctly . Sorry for your predicament.

Not enough information. If the car isn't making any horrible sounds, or belching smoke out of the exhaust, drive it for a few thousand miles and get a UOA (used oil analysis) done. That will tell if there are high levels of wear metals, and what kind of metal they are if so. In the meantime try to find out if the metal flakes were ferrous. And, seriously, consider doing your own oil changes. That way you will be getting first-hand information.

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The IMS bearing was replaced in 2014. what I noticed was a ticking sound which sounded like a lifter. That�s when I took it in to the shop. I have attached a picture of the oil filter that the shop sent to me. I was quoted $26,000 for a used engine to be purchased and put into the car.

Welcome to owning a 996. Thinking about the engine failing will keep you up at night. So many were right there with you within months of owning it. I have had mine for 5 years now and I sleep well at night. But it was not easy. My advice, take a deep breath and get the oil analyzed for starters. I think if we rip apart the oil filter on your daily commuter you might be shocked at what you find but you can still drive it safely for a lot more miles. Do you have complete service records? When I dove into the records from the previous buyer, I realized so much was incomplete, and I had too many uncertainties. Mine had the dual row, which based on who you ask fails less often. ( i do not want to pull at that thread). I went ahead and had the engine out service, we bought used Porsches, we knew what we were buying. They checked the cylinders and compression and there was no bore scoring (you read enough threads here you will start to think the worst for your car), I had the IMS solution done, the ultimate AOS, changed lifters, chain covers, new water pump, flywheel and clutch done. Along with some other things. it has given me peace of mind and much better records for the next owner but I have no plans to sell it anytime soon. I can't recall who posted it but he said, "just enjoy the car, don't fear it. If it blows it will blow" Yeah, it's a bit simplistic and yes, you can do plenty of preventative work and care for it but do not let it consume you. I still get the same thrill each time I start and drive it. That is why I got the car to begin with, so I just enjoy it and don't fear it.

I am not an expert, but I have seen people post way worse pictures than what looks to be in your oil. This board is a wealth of information. You will get a lot of advice and opinions. I just had a new radio installed and the installer was stumped, and someone here helped me figure it out.

Already I feel like I have learned a lot more than I knew before I joined. I really appreciate everybody�s input.

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After zooming into the images, I would agree with the shop. This engine is injured! If fact, I would say this engine is suffering failure like a someone bleeding out from a gun shot womb. This is not normal wear. Something mechanically is letting go and I would bet if the cylinders were scoped you'd see severe scoring on Cylinder 5 and 6. Your IMS bearing has also been in service for over 10 years... way over time for replacement. If you zoom into the oil canister, you'll notice it's polluted with metal. You're oil has become like liquid sandpaper and could likely take out many vital components. I would not drive the car until the engine is reconstructed. I would advise getting on the phone with LN Engineering or submit a support ticket to Flat 6 Innovations for more advice.

Sorry to hear about the metal. Any idea what bearing was installed? The metal may not be from the bearing, but from the install procedure. But as many of the guys mentioned, an oil test will tell you what metal and as a result, where it's coming from. No need to jump to any conclusions on a rebuild or swap, but if it comes to that point, you may want to consider a factory short block swap instead of swapping a used engine. You give them your old block, you get a new one with new pistons, cylinders, IMSB. The indy takes all the parts needed off your old engine and puts them in the new short block. You then follow everything you learned on Rennlist on making the M96 bullet proof and change the oil a couple of times a year, and you have a car and engine that will last you another 22+ years. Trade policy may throw a monkey wrench in pricing, but we have a local indy here in the Chicago suburbs that was doing it for around $20k give or take. That includes $8.5k for the short block including doscount for engine trade in. You probably have a few shops around you that can do it. Many dealers will do it, but pricing may or may not be higher. Imho, if it comes to it, $20k give or take is a small price to pay to keep such a great car on the road for another quarter century of analog fun. As with all 25 year old engines regardless of the manufacturer, they will all eventually need a rebuild. But we are lucky enough to have a swap program if you just want a new OE engine. For sure, if you want a better, stronger, faster engine, then you may want to consider a professional rebuild. It will cost you a few more bucks, but may be worth it to you. Plenty of options. Hope it helps.

Where is the original poster located? If you need a new engine, I would go with a Porsche short block and rebuilt heads. Just as GC996 states. If you are in FL, I might be able to help.

I was quoted $26,000 for a used engine to be purchased and put into the car. Rather than spending that kind of money for used engine, talk to Slakker on here or call for a Hartech build for reasonable cost close to that. I wouldn't drive anymore to keep from doing anymore engine damage Slakker Racing Development – slakker-racing-development

I wouldn't spend $26K for a used engine & installation. That's almost rebuild costs. Look at LN Engineering RND rebuilt long blocks if you're on a tight budget but want all the common failures fixed/prevented. https://lnengineering.com/rnd-engine...arrera-4s.html A used engine will have a used bottom end and top end and will be exactly what you have in your car.

I am with the others; I would not spend 26k for a used engine. There are several options with LN being at the top end, but you will have a significant wait time to get in their cue I believe. Someone a few years ago, posted a spreadsheet with the costs and options from different companies who do rebuilds down to options. I will see if I can find that thread, granted the prices may have changed but if your going down that road it has great information.

i would be looking at how busy the shop was, if they seem quiet are the fishing for work? Like your health, you should get a second opinion! Or just change the oil, monitor it and see.

check out this post on rebuilding and time frame. My Slakker / Hartech Journey - Page 5 - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums

Yeah, that looks bad, metal particle soup. Sorry you have to go through this. I'm in the 'no used engine'. Unless it's been rebuilt with Nickies cylinders by a known quality builder, has the associated oil change records, and reason it's being sold outside the car. For me, everyone of these original engines is suspect. They are all old enough and have had spotty maintenance enough to put huge question marks on their remaining life. If I were to buy another one, I would buy it as a roller or buy one with a rebuilt engine by one of the leading builders(as long as the docs are very good). Good luck with your choice, you have many paths to explore.

That sucks. I agree with the rebuild crowd�the two mentioned particularly. my �03 will be for sale soon. It has no problems/symptoms yet. All this talk makes me thinking the value of a used 996 without a rebuild getting lower and lower each passing day😎 good luck. You have options.

Here is the spreadsheet, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing I think Skip put one together with all the spare parts required for the Porsche short block. It's in a thread as I recall. Please note that spreadsheet is years old.