Porsche 996 IMS Solution Installation and Preventative Maintenance: What You Need to Know
If you own a Porsche 996, you've likely heard about IMS bearing failures and other engine-related concerns that can turn into costly repairs if not addressed proactively. In a recent video hosted by Vu Nguyen of the Porsche Club of America, with commentary and technical guidance from Jake Raby (Flat 6 Innovations) and Charles Navarro (LN Engineering), a full drivetrain removal and Porsche 996 IMS Solution installation is documented on Vu’s personal 1999 Porsche 911.
This extensive walk-through isn’t just about replacing the intermediate shaft bearing—it’s about addressing a wide range of pattern failures and performing preventative maintenance to ensure another 100,000+ miles of trouble-free motoring.
Why Drop the Engine? Fixing What Isn't Broken (Yet)
While many IMS bearing replacement jobs can be performed with the engine in the car, Vu’s early 1999 996 underwent a full engine-out procedure. The reasoning? Access, visibility, and peace of mind.
“We’re fixing things that aren’t broken—yet,” explains Charles Navarro. “It’s major surgery, but the goal is to avoid future failures and enjoy the car with confidence.”
By removing the engine:
The IMS Solution can be installed cleanly and accurately.
Other wear-prone components can be inspected and replaced.
The job becomes easier, cleaner, and more thorough.
What Makes the IMS Solution Different?
The LN Engineering IMS Solution is a permanent, oil-fed bearing replacement for M96 engines. Unlike the original sealed bearing or retrofit kits that still require periodic replacement, the IMS Solution eliminates the service interval entirely by providing continuous engine oil lubrication, similar to how the factory designed the system in later engine revisions.
Jake Raby, who helped develop and test the IMS Solution, notes:
“The IMS Solution was created for long-term reliability. It’s not just a fix—it’s an engineering upgrade.”
Additional Maintenance Performed During the IMS Solution Installation
While the engine was out of Vu’s car, Jake and Charles tackled numerous known failure points and wear items typical of high-mileage 996s:
✅ Cam Chain Wear Pads
Using Durametric software, Vu confirmed cam deviation angles of up to -9°. That’s above the recommended threshold and signaled chain ramp wear, justifying replacement of the timing chain guides and chain ramps.
✅ Timing Chains
While replacing the ramps, the 4th and 5th timing chains were also replaced—an inexpensive yet smart decision to avoid rework later.
✅ Air-Oil Separator (AOS)
A known failure point, the Porsche AOS was replaced with a genuine factory part. Failures can lead to excessive crankcase vacuum, poor running, oil ingestion, or even catastrophic engine damage.
“A bad AOS doesn’t just smoke—it can suck oil into the intake under vacuum and cause a hydro-lock,” explains Jake.
✅ Oil Pressure Sensor
Intermittent idle drops and gauge fluctuations led to a preemptive replacement of this commonly failing part.
✅ Fuel Injectors
Given the age and ethanol-related issues, new injectors were installed. Over-fueling from worn injectors can worsen bore scoring and affect performance.
✅ Oil Filler Tube and PCV Conduits
Cracked or leaking filler tubes introduce unmetered air, richening the mixture and stressing the AOS. Replacing this often-overlooked part was a smart move.
✅ Accessory Belt Rollers and Tensioners
Original metal rollers were swapped for updated versions. Some rollers have been known to seize and cause crankcase damage.
✅ Motor Mounts
Vu replaced the rear motor mounts—often leaking by this age—with fresh fluid-filled units to restore engine stability.
AC Compressor and Header Removal Decisions
Vu and Charles opted to leave the A/C compressor in the car, avoiding opening the refrigerant system. This helped minimize invasiveness and the chance of leaks later. They also weighed the pros and cons of removing the exhaust headers—a job made easier with the engine out, but one that risks shearing off bolts.
Lessons in Organization and DIY Preparedness
A key takeaway from the video: organization is everything when doing a job of this scale.
Vu labeled and bagged every part using a Sharpie
Bolts were laid out in removal order
Videos and photos were taken as self-generated reference material
Jake recommends using cardboard templates to track bellhousing bolt locations to prevent mismatched reassembly (which can crack the engine case)
Diagnostic Tools: Durametric for Cam Timing Deviation
Before pulling the engine, Vu used a Durametric system to check camshaft deviation. This is a non-invasive way to verify the condition of the timing chains and guides. If deviations exceed -6°, it’s usually time for further inspection—and potentially engine-out service.
Other Proactive Replacements and Considerations
Starter motor: Consider replacing if slow to crank, but beware that newer units may be lower quality than original factory parts.
Ground strap: A corroded ground strap can lead to poor charging, hard starts, or strange electrical gremlins.
Crankshaft Position Sensor: Known to fail with heat. Vu’s symptoms matched exactly.
Coolant Hose Couplers and Engine Oil Coolers: If intermix has occurred, replace them to avoid failure from hose degradation.
Why This Approach Matters
This isn’t just about installing an IMS Solution—it’s a comprehensive engine rehabilitation. The goal isn’t just to fix a known issue, but to address all the age- and mileage-related vulnerabilities of a 25-year-old sports car engine.
Jake sums it up:
“You’re fixing what’s not broken yet. That’s how you get 5 to 10 years of reliable use out of a 996 without being stranded.”
Watch the Full Series
This is just the beginning of Vu’s 996 project. Stay tuned for upcoming videos where the engine is reassembled and reinstalled with expert tips from Flat 6 Innovations and LN Engineering.