Any insight is greatly appreciated.

I recently just purchased a 2005 997 C2S with under 10k miles. I have had the car for about a month or so. Today, while going for a drive, the car randomly shut off while I was sitting at a light. I restarted the car (took a few cranks to get it going again) and the noise from the engine sounded like metal grinding against metal. I very slowly limped into a parking lot not 10 feet away as I was still in the middle of a very crowded road. Once in the parking lot, I shut off the car and looked under the car. As I was looking, oil began pouring from one specific place under the engine. After a while, the leak stopped due to, I assume, there being no more oil left in the motor.

I got the car towed to my Porsche dealer, and I am waiting for their prognosis. However, I think this may be the dreaded IMS issue. Can anyone confirm or speculate?

Thankfully I purchased a comprehensive aftermarket warranty through the dealer about 4 weeks prior. Under the plan, any damage (like engine replacement) will be covered.

 

IMS is so rare, doubt this would be what happened! however good news is you have a warranty- if you get a new engine, just have the LN engineering bearing put in!

 

Could be numerous things. A 2005 with only 10,000 mi on the clock could be the reason that something failed. I bet the RMS has been replaced at least once on the car with that low of mileage. These cars need to be driven to avoid mechanical failures. I hope you get the issue resolved soon and extended warranty should have you covered.

 

Considering you have a comprehensive breakdown repair policy, I'm torn between telling you "That SUCKS!" and "Awesome!!"

Please keep us informed on what the problem was (sounds major) and what the final out of pocket costs for the stuff that wasn't covered were. Good luck on getting your ride back on the road soon.

 

This might work out in your favour -- soon you might be driving a Porsche with a brand new engine or close to brand new.

 

If you're covered there is a new engine in your future.

CONGRATS !!

 

I doubt it's the IMS bearing. You will be getting a "new" engine.
Please keep us updated on what caused the engine to fail. Can you take pictures of the broken part(s).

 

I think they are only obliged to replace the engine with a used engine that has close to the same mileage. At least that's how my after market insurance works.

 

That's reassuring.

 

OH its the IMS for sure.

Just depends on how much metal has been churned into the engine....

 

Where under the engine was the oil spewing out?

 

It was difficult to tell exactly as I was in a parking lot. From what I could see though, it appeared to be coming right from the "middle" as it not favoring one side or the other. It almost looked like someone had pulled out the drain plug. What was interesting though was the fact that it didn't start leaking until about 3 minutes after the engine initially died and I feathered it into the parking lot. No path of oil or anything. It didn't start until I parked the car, got out, looked in the engine bay and then got on all fours to look under the car. I witnessed the leak start.

When I started the engine (after it died randomly), it was difficult for it to hold revs. Also, it had just about no power. Then again, I didn't really test the power as the sound coming from the motor was probably akin to iron bolts in a washing machine.

 

With the warranty, I hope the worst you have to suffer is the embarrassment of being in such a beautiful car limping off the road!

 

Sounds like IMS because of the power loss but it is more rare on the 3.8S vs 3.6.
Fingers crossed. Lets us know what the prognosis is.

 

Congratulations on becoming the latest poster child of why comprehensive warranty coverage on expensive cars makes good sense. Regardless of the final diagnosis, it sounds pretty serious and at least you can rest easy knowing that the cost to get the car back on the road won't be on your shoulders. That is great news, period.

Best of luck, and please do update us with photographs. I can't wait for another several pages of IMS debates. Whoohoo! :-)