If you own a Porsche, you’ve probably heard about IMS bearings. This particular part often requires replacement, especially in specific vehicle models. Knowing when to consult a Porsche repair shop about this particular job, though, can be difficult, especially if you don’t know exactly how to tell whether or not your IMS bearing is going bad. As you read this guide, you will find some common questions and answers regarding this topic.
What types of Porsches tend to need this repair?
As a general rule, Porsche 986 and 987 models and early (pre-Generation 2) 987 or 997 models are the main vehicles that require IMS bearing replacements. If you are the owner of a Cayman, you probably don’t need to worry about this issue whatsoever. The same goes for anyone who has a Generation 2 or later 987 or 997. However, if you have any questions or concerns, make sure you talk to a reputable Porsche repair shop in your area.
Why do IMS bearings have problems?
There are a few different theories for why IMS bearing replacements are relatively common on specific kinds of Porsches. One idea is that the IMS bearing actually begins to shrink and leak over time, resulting in an influx of engine oil that strips the grease from the ball bearings, causing them to stop working properly.
Another thought is that the less frequently you drive your Porsche, the more likely it is to need an IMS bearing replacement. The idea behind this is that, once a bearing dries out, it needs the lubrication from the engine oil in order to work at all. If the vehicle isn’t driven on a regular basis, the bearing will just stop functioning altogether.
How can I learn more about this issue?
If you are interested in learning more about IMS bearing problems in Porsche automobiles, there are a variety of online forums you can join. Some of these even feature tips from Porsche enthusiasts for how to prolong the lifespans of the aforementioned bearings. You can also, of course, inquire at a local Porsche repair shop, where our trained Porsche specialists are sure to be more than happy to help you.
If you discover you do need to have your vehicle’s IMS bearing replaced in the near future, make sure you work with a trustworthy mechanic who has experience with luxury foreign vehicles and specifically offers Porsche services. It is important to feel confident that your beloved automobile is in the hands of a Porsche specialist when you take it to get fixed. Contact Boston Motor Werks today for more information on our IMS and other Porsche offerings.
With the seasons changing not only will there be the weather changing, but also the driving conditions and hazards to look out for that will be changing as well. The fall is the start of the school season so that means an increase in traffic and children on the road, so you will want to be cautious when driving around school buses and residential areas. Use these seven great driving tips to help you stay safe on the road this fall season as you prepare for the cooler months.
- Don’t Brake On Leaves – Wet leaves are almost as slippery as ice, so the same effect of slamming on your brakes on wet leave is the same as on ice; you will slide. Be sure if you are driving slow through an area with a bunch of leaves on the ground that is wet. Leaves can also cover up lane lines and other road markets to be sure to pay attention to the edge of the road and lane lines while driving during the fall.
- Avoid Sun Glare – As beautiful as sunrises and sets are, they are difficult to drive in due to sun glare. Your best bet is to have a pair of sunglasses on hand and have a clean windshield to prevent any sun glare while driving.
- Use Caution During Rain – A driving 101 scenario, you will want to be cautious while driving during the rain and make sure that you are a good distance away from the car in front of you. You never know when they will decide to slam on the brakes and if you are not ready, and are close behind them, your brakes may not be able to catch you in time due to the wet road conditions. If you find yourself in an area with fog from the rain, be sure to use your fog lights or low beams to drive through the fog. Never use your high beams as the fog will reflect the light back into your face and make driving hazardous.
- Be Careful On Bridges – Just like with any part of the road, morning frost and temperature drops can cause icy patches on bridges, overpasses, and in shaded areas. If you are driving in the morning be sure to slow down and drive with caution so you do not find yourself sliding on the ice off the road.
- Adjust Your Eyes – The great thing about fall is that you gain an hour of sleep due to daylight savings. The bad part of this is that we will be waking up and heading home from work in the dark. For optimal driving, take 5 minutes to adjust your eyes to the dark so there are no surprises during transit.
- Watch Out For Deer – When the fall time comes around there tends to be me more deer on the road. This is because the fall is the beginning of deer breeding season and they are more active. Whether you are on the highway or on a road near the woods, you will want to be on the lookout for deer crossing the road. Running into one of these animals can cause serious damage to your car.
- Prepare Your Vehicle For The Weather – As mentioned in our last blog, you will want to make sure your car is ready for the fall. You can do this by checking the tire pressure, replacing windshield wipers, cleaning your windshield, checking fluid levels and so much more. Having your car ready for the fall is a great way to ensure your safety this fall.
For other driving tips and repair services, contact Boston Motor Werks for more information.
As we enjoy the last weeks of August, we need to start thinking about the fall and winter months that are upon us. We usually use this time to switch out summer clothes and equipment and make the fall and winter clothes and equipment more easily accessbile. While doing this you should consider getting your vechile inspected so that there are not any problems once the colder weather arrives. It is common knowledge what the winter months can do to our cars no matter if they are BMWs, Porsches, or Mercedes so the right preparation can lead to a smooth fall and winter without any car issues. Below are ten areas you should check to in to prepare your vehicle for the fall!
Check The Belts & Hoses
With all of the driving that was probably done during the summer months, it can cause wear and tear on the different components of your car. The most popular fixes needed after all this driving are belts and hoses of your vechile. Look out to make sure there are no signs of splitting, fraying, or glazing for both of these items. As these could cause for these pieces to overheat, while it might not seem likely in cooler months, it still is something to be cautious about. Be sure to contact us if you are in need of either a belt or hose repair!
Check The Fluid Levels
A step that should be done reguarly or scheduled, checking and replacing the fluids in your car is an important task for your car’s longevity. This is especially important when the seasons change as levels could be low with the amount of usage during the summer. When checking the fluids of your car you will want to be sure to check the levels of your winshield washer fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluids, and power steering fluids. By checking all of these different fuel systems is vital to making sure you have a car that runs smoothly during the coler months of the year.
Check The Tires
The summer is the peak season for construction jobs and road work, and with this comes a lot of debris on the roads. This debris can easily end up sticking in your tires while you are on the road and could cause issues down the road if not immediate. Be sure to bring your vehicle to a trained technician for proper tire and suspension services that include checking the tread, inflation, and overall condition of your tires. These technicians can also rotate your tires so they wear evenly, make sure there is enough air pressure in the tires, and if need be change your tires to snow tires for the winter.
Check The Oil
Wondering if you need an oil change? The fact you have to think about it is a good indication that you should take your car in for an oil change and other scheduled maintenace for you vehicle. A rule of thumb to go by is to have your oil changed every 5,000 miles, but double check your manual to find the recommended interval.
Check Your Heat
Fall and winter are all about the colder weather and climate so having a car with functional heating is very crucial to survive New England winters. Another aspect of your car you should have checked is making sure the defrost works as a fogged-up window is dangerous especially with winter road conditions.
Check the Brakes
One of the most common car incidents during the fall and winter is that cars slide on the roads do to cold and icy weather conditions. Add this with rain or snow falling down and having bad brakes can lead to a dangerous situation. Listen for unusual noises that may point to having failing brake pads and have your brakes checked by a professional to ensure you are good to drive this fall or winter.
Check The Lights
Fall and winter are darker with the amount of percipiation, cold weather, and literal cloud cover of the sun. For the best and safest driving experience you will want to maek sure all of your lights are working to ensure that no accidents ensue. Lights are indicators to other drivers on the road of your intentions and if any are broken can lead to a crash. Walk around your car while checking each light to make sure they work and keeping mind of your check engine light and dashboard. This dashboard will give you a first response if one of your lights are not working.
Check The Battery
The battery is one of the most important parts of your vehicle as it is one of the compents that need to be working in order for your car to start. Overtime, batteries tend to have signs of corrosion and it is always a safe bet to check on the state of your battery after different seasons as there are different driving conditions. If you need a replacement then you can take your car to a technician to give you a new battery and check the electrical system of your car.
If you would like to have your car checked before the fall arrives, call Boston Motor Werks today!
Porsche has been in the works of a secret vehicle project that they have titled “Classic Project Gold.”
Since July 20th, Porsche has been teasing enthusiasts with new videos every friday of behind the scenes footage of this exceptional car where they have given the following statment about:
“There are exceptions to the rules.
And there are exceptions to the exceptions.”
This project has been a mystery as Porsche has been doing an exceptional job of keeping details of the projects out of the publics hands until the world premiere on September 27th. Until then we have been keeping up with Porsche for all of the video updates. Below is all of the videos that have been released to date.
Project Gold – The vision. Found and risen.
Project Gold – The refinement. Lacquer and laser.
Project Gold – The craftsmanship. Seam and stitch.
Project Gold – The coating. Protect and preserve.
Project Gold – The marriage. Engine and electrics.
We are very excited to see the final outcome of this secret project and we hope you are too! If you have any questions about our repair services, please contact us today for more information!
Starting where we last left off in our summer car care blog series, below are additional summer car maintenance tips you should keep in mind before taking your beloved vehicle out for a drive. Keep in mind that taking your beloved BMW vehicle to a trained technician is the most beneficial way to get the best maintenance performed on it.
Additional Summer Car Care Tips
Air Filter
One of the most overlooked parts of a car to check for repairs is the car’s air filter. These maybe are clogged by leaves that might have gotten under the hood of the vehicle during the fall and winter months. In addition, at the start of spring and summer, the amount of pollen in the air can block the pollen and cabin filter systems of your car as well. Be sure to take a look at these different filters to make sure proper air flow can go through them for optimal performance.
Tires
While tires normally should be checked regularly, residents of New England and the Greater Boston area may want to consider checking your tires more often than most. With the unpredictable weather creating potholes along with the endless construction being done on major highways, there are many variables that could cause issues to your tires. The weather changing from season to season can cause the tire pressure to fluctuate, but you should always have your tire pressure be at the PSI noted in the manual. You will also want to check for any stones or debris in the tread of your tires as well as any cracks in the rubber of the tire.
Dashboard Sunshade
If you are considerate about the interior of your car then you should consider purchasing a dashboard cover for both the front and rear side of your Porche or Mercedes vehicle. During the spring and summer when you are not using your car, the inside of the car gets extremely hot and the sun can fade the seats and dashboard without a cover.
Clean The Car
Cleaning your car inside and out does not only make your car look good but it also prevents potential hazards from happening. Over time grime, dirt, fumes from plastic in the sun, etc stick to the windshield and if piled up, can make it hard to see while operating against the sun. Making it hard to see, so be sure to give your car and its windows a good cleaning periodically. Taking your car through car washes to clean the exterior will help protect the paintwork from the sun’s rays as well as any damage from bird or insects.
Riders
When it comes to summer adventures and road trips, it’s important to not only make sure the vehicle is in ready to go for the trip but also the passengers and driver. Ensure you have a checklist of items you will need to make the trip as comfortable as possible while protecting yourselves from the summer conditions.
If you are looking to have your car prepped for the summer, call Boston Motor Werks today to get trained technician repair work done on your car today!
The summer heat is here which means outdoor activities and traveling to summer activities are commencing. The best way to ensure that you get to enjoy this summer to its fullest is to ensure that you take care of your car’s maintenance. When it comes to owning a car, you should have seasonal maintenance as a rule of thumb to give you peace of mind that your BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes vehicle is prepared for each season. When it comes to summer, there are a few maintenance tasks you should have done, even if they seem irrelevant, so that your car is ready to party in the summer. In this series of blogs, we will discuss summer maintenance tips you should perform for optimal summer car use. Below are the first five car care tips to consider.
Coolant System
As this seems like a given, making sure that your coolant system is working is one of the first things you should get looked at when bringing in your luxury vehicle. When checking the coolant fluid in your car, you will want to inspect the condition of the hoses and coolant reservoir. If you notice any leaks at the joints and connection points, then you will need to take in your car for a repair. From time to time throughout the summer, when your engine is off, squeeze the hoses to make sure they are firm and not easy to squeeze.
Engine Belts
Out of all the belts within an engine, the serpentine belt is one that should be checked on the most. This is because this belt tends to deteriorate, become loose, start to squeal or just break in general more than other belts. For the best performance, you need to make sure that you are on the lookout for cracks in the belt or small pieces missing. If any of that is apparent then you will need to replace the belt.
Wipers
During the winter, your windshield wipers are more susceptible to being worn or torn due to the icy conditions. During the summer, there tend to be powerful rain and thunderstorms so wipers are a must. If they are not replaced after the winter then they could create nasty streaks across the windshield which will affect your visibility while driving. Your best bet is to buy new wipers for the summer that way you are not only prepared for the summer but you will have new wipers for the upcoming winter season as well.
Fluids
No matter if it is seasonal or just regular maintenance, your vehicle’s fluids such as oil, brake fluid, power-steering and windshield-washer fluid should be checked regularly. These are the most used liquids in a car and need to be checked on if you are looking for optimal performance.
Air-Conditioning System
Along with the coolant system, the next essential car feature that needs to be in great condition is the air-conditioning system. What you need to look out for is if your system is leaking. An indicator that will tell you that you have a leak is if there is not enough refrigerant in the system. If you notice this then you have a leak and will need to take your car to an experienced mechanic.
Check back with our blog for part two of our summer car care tips and if you are looking for experienced technicians to service at your vehicle, contact us today!
The summer season is a time when many folks travel and your car needs to be up to par to handle the heat that summer brings. The high temperatures of summer can present some challenges
when it comes to your car and maintenance, but you can prevent the hot weather from wreaking havoc on your vehicle. You can prepare your car to run efficiently and safely during the summer
by performing vital services on your car. Let’s look at some essential summer car care tips that are exactly what you need to keep your car in shape.
Check Your Oil & Oil Filter
Oil is of particular importance to the health of your vehicle’s engine, being responsible for lubricating the motor and guarding against the wear of friction and heat. Over time, this friction,
and heat result in the degradation of the oil, which requires that engine oil and filter be replaced on a regular basis. Excessive summer heat, like cold winter temperatures, can increase the
demands on your oil and oil filter. As such, it is imperative to ensure that your car’s engine is kept lubricated and that the filter is working efficiently to keep the oil and oil system clean.
Inspect Your Fluid Levels
Another important aspect of your car’s maintenance is checking your fluid levels, including transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid.
Seasonal weather changes can affect your fluid levels, and the summer season can be harsh on coolant fluid, in particular, that can cause your car to overheat if low, which is one of the biggest
sources of summer car breakdowns. Signs that one or more of your fluid levels are low include unusual noises, odors, or vibrations. To keep your car in great working order during the summer, check these fluids like you would your oil.
Perform a Battery Test
A flat battery may prevent your car from starting properly, and in the heat of the summer months, battery fluid evaporates. This results in the oxidation of battery components, damaging both the internal and external structures of the battery, speeding up corrosion and decreases the lifespan of the battery. Battery deterioration is something that you should keep in mind during
the summer season and test your battery to avoid the hassle that a dead car battery can bring.
Check & Monitor Car’s Tires
It is critical to check your car’s tires during the summer months. According to Matrix Integrated, pressure increases approximately 1 psi for every increase in temperature of 10°F. Your tires should be properly inflated to deal with frictions and difficult road conditions, as well as to handle and brake properly, and prevent wear.
These tips are beneficial in keeping you safe, and in maintaining the health and longevity of your car so that your summertime experience on the road can be a great one. If you are looking to have summer maintenance done on your BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes vehicles, be sure to call Boston Motor Werks today!
One of the most overlooked maintenance tasks you can do for your car is getting the wheels aligned. However, this task has much more value than just making sure your car goes straight when driving it. Getting your vehicle’s alignment checked can extend the life of your vehicle. As fewer alignment problems will mean less maintenance is to be done.
What is A Wheel Alignment?
A wheel alignment is a self-explanatory maintenance task, as it makes sure the tires of your car are pointing straight. If they are not properly aligned, it will cause your care to pull itself to the left or right while in motion. To test this, drive on the highway or a long straight road and after you build momentum, let go of the steering wheel. If you notice your car starts to pull to either the left or right, then your car is in need of an alignment. If an alignment is not performed on your car, then the pulling can cause stress on your suspension and steering systems which will cause major repairs to be done on your vehicle that can cost you.
How Often Should You Get An Alignment?
For all makes, models, and brands of cars there is a rule of thumb to when drivers should have their cars aligned properly. This rule of thumb is having your wheels aligned once a year, as this type of issue does not happen frequently. However, if you do live in an area where you frequent potholes, then you may need to have your car aligned twice a year. This is because potholes are the leading cause of alignment issues with vehicles.
If you have any more questions on alignment or other services to be done on your car, call today!
When it comes to car health and performance, having your tires properly working and in good condition is one way to ensure optimal performance and safety. Keeping your tires in peak condition is a good way to prevent other car issues from happening on top of running into a flat or any other scenario that will require additional cost. The one problem most people tend to have is knowing when it is time to get your tires replaced. With having a luxury car such as a BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes vehicle, there might be a slightly less inclined to be aware of such signs as you assume your car is made to last long as well as look luxurious. No matter what care you have, below are four signs that are an indicator that your Mercedes-Benz will need new tires.
Loss of Tire Pressure
When it comes to general tire pressure maintenance, it is good to check your car’s tire pressure every month. This is because the rule of thumb is that tire pressure goes down one PSI per month. Look at your car manual to know what range it is to have your tire pressure be at. If you have filled your tires and notice that the pressure has gone down more than one PSI, then you can consider this a warning sign.
Thining Treads
Another popular sign that will tell you your car needs new tires, is if your the treads are starting to go thin. One way to know if treads are going thin is if you notice a squealing noise as you make turns while driving. To test whether or not if our treads are thin or wearing out, you will need a penny. Turn the penny upside-down and insert it into the treads of your tire. If Lincoln’s head is visible, that means your treads are worn and you need new tires. However, if you do not see the head of Lincoln then your tire is in good shape.
Cracks in the Rubber
One telltale sign that your vehicle is ready for new tires, is if you start to see cracks in the rubber of your tires. This is the result of the tire constantly stretching as you drive, as cracks begin to form over time. Be sure to check after 30,000 miles for any cracks in the rubber of your tires.
Mileage Issues
For most Mercedes-Benz, tires are good to last for at least 50,000 miles. Use this as a rule of thumb no matter if your Mercedes is new or old and have your tires checked after 50,000 miles. The Mercedes-Benz company recommends that regardless of mileage, drivers should get their tires replaced every six years for optimal performance and safety.
If you have any questions about tire replacement or any other maintenance and repair questions for BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes vehicles feel free to call today!
It is well known that brake fluid is a very important aspect of your car’s daily operation. As you press down on the brake pedal, the fluid causes the brake pads to press against the rotors to slow your car down to a complete stop. Over time, just like with transmission lines, the brake fluid will start to absorb air, moisture, sludge, dirt and other contaminants as you drive your car days on end. No matter if you drive a Mercedes, Porsche, or BMW your car will need to have a brake system flush at some point in the cars life cycle to keep the brakes working at optimal levels.
What Does a Brake Flush Consist Of?
A brake system flush for Mercedes, Porsche, or BMW vehicles includes removing the existing fluid and moisture out of the system. It is the replaced with new, clean, contaminant-free fluid. By having a brake flush performed on your car, you are ultimately ensuring proper performance of your brake system so there are no issues while driving and it also increases the lifespan of the system.
Brake System Flush Steps
- Remove contaminated brake fluid.
- Add new brake fluid.
- Bleed the brakes.
- Clean any surfaces where brake fluid has spilled during the bleeding process.
- Check for fluid leaks.
- Inspect brake pads, rotors, and hoses.
- Test drive car with new fluid.
When Should I Get A Brake System Flush?
As each car is different, you will want to refer to the manufacturer’s manual for maintenance guidelines for fluid maintenance. However, common and good practice is getting your car checked for a brake fluid flush every 36 months or 24,000 miles. It is always good practice to have this service done by a trained professional as they will use the correct fluid for your car.
