Vanos Noise

[Stumpy]

Hi

I see reference to the Vanos unit in a number of threads, and regular problems with this also possibly a problem with tappets, but nothing more than that.

What are the general symptoms of one or other please?

Is this mileage-related, or simply a specific issue with the E46/CSL ?

Ta muchly.

[select]

All S54 Vanos suffer from the same three main issues.

Vanos Coil Solenoid can go wrong, if this happens your Vanos just won't work anymore, no harm to the engine.
The other two vanos related failures are, a rattle caused by loose intake sprocket mounting bolts, and vanos malfunction caused by broken vanos oil pump disk. As far as i am told, the CSL has the redesigned bolts which aren't notorious for becoming loose, but the oil pump disk wasn't ever changed as BMW claims there is no issue with it. And if the oil pump disk fails or the bolts coming loose, in rare cases, it can lead to total engine failure.

I just booked my csl in to get the vanos fixed, once and for all. It recently developed a rattle but they told me its not because of the bolts, but because of something else. I will report back, when i have understood what he means. :hahaha:

[Stumpy]

All S54 Vanos suffer from the same three main issues.

Vanos Coil Solenoid can go wrong, if this happens your Vanos just won't work anymore, no harm to the engine.
The other two vanos related failures are, a rattle caused by loose intake sprocket mounting bolts, and vanos malfunction caused by broken vanos oil pump disk. As far as i am told, the CSL has the redesigned bolts which aren't notorious for becoming loose, but the oil pump disk wasn't ever changed as BMW claims there is no issue with it. And if the oil pump disk fails or the bolts coming loose, in rare cases, it can lead to total engine failure.

I just booked my csl in to get the vanos fixed, once and for all. It recently developed a rattle but they told me its not because of the bolts, but because of something else. I will report back, when i have understood what he means. :hahaha:


That sounds ominous, but thanks !

[GregorFuk]

As usual the internet turns reactively rare failures into dead certainties. I'd not worry.

[select]

As usual the internet turns reactively rare failures into dead certainties. I'd not worry.


That is true but he asked about symptoms. And i specifically said that those symptoms rarely lead to a total engine failure, but i rather have not bits of metal flying around the timing chain while hoping that it drops to the oil pan without inducing any damage to the drivetrain. :bigcry:

@Stumpy does your vanos rattle? Other Symptoms apart from noise can be loss of engine power and hesitation especially around 3.000RPM. There is a specific test routine for the vanos on the BMW tester. If you don't have access to it either a bmw specialised indie or the bmw dealer can do this for you.

[Trawler]

As usual the internet turns reactively rare failures into dead certainties. I'd not worry.

Plus any rattle must be vanos related.

On a previous M3 the car developed a terrible rattle that meant I left it in Germany. The internet plus everyone over here said it was vanos. The garage meister said vanos problems are very rare and eventually with the help of München tracked it down to a faulty connection related to some sensor. That was a relief to say the least as must say I did doubt what he said.

[shimmy]

Raikku is refuurbishing my vanos as we speak.

No idea what he is doing but it sounds fiddley!

[select]

Raikku is refunding my vanos as we speak.

No idea what he is doing but it sounds fiddley!

It is.. :bigcry:http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/s54_vanos_procedure.htm

Do you mean refurbishing? If so, would love to know what it all costs.
Mine will get done this week as well, new solenoid, oil pump disk, new whatever gaskets. Will be like new :beer:

[Chad]

It is.. :bigcry:http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/s54_vanos_procedure.htm

Do you mean refurbishing? If so, would love to know what it all costs.
Mine will get done this week as well, new solenoid, oil pump disk, new whatever gaskets. Will be like new :beer:

Great post. Down loaded to my phone for next time I do full service on the old girl :smokin:

[MisterCorn]

I refurbed the VANOS on my E36 M3 myself, not a hard job but it did take some time. The Beisan instructions are good.

MC

[shimmy]

It is.. :bigcry:http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/s54_vanos_procedure.htm

Do you mean refurbishing? If so, would love to know what it all costs.
Mine will get done this week as well, new solenoid, oil pump disk, new whatever gaskets. Will be like new :beer:

yes, efa :hahaha:

[Stumpy]

Not specifically related honestly, but am looking into the bottom end (thinking about the worse, hoping for the best) type-of thing.

New crank/bottom end.

Who has had this done...? Mucho dinero I'm thinking...????

:whistle:

[Chad]

Not specifically related honestly, but am looking into the bottom end (thinking about the worse, hoping for the best) type-of thing.

New crank/bottom end.

Who has had this done...? Mucho dinero I'm thinking...????

:whistle:

Big job prity much full stripdown. But could be done with motor still in , but way easier imo with motor on proper stand so you can spin motor over , fookin heavy crank, completey striped lads old csl motor last year, engine easy enough to pull to bits, and reassemble,

[select]

Has someone overhauled their Vanos, especially with the uprated S62 Springs?
Had mine done last weekend, but the idle was very rough with the S62 Springs in place so the mechanic reverted back to my original ones and it was fine.

He has done 7 vanos before mine and always used the S62 springs and never had an issue. But none of them were a CSL, so i wonder if anyone has made the same experience?

[shimmy]

Has someone overhauled their Vanos, especially with the uprated S62 Springs?
Had mine done last weekend, but the idle was very rough with the S62 Springs in place so the mechanic reverted back to my original ones and it was fine.

He has done 7 vanos before mine and always used the S62 springs and never had an issue. But none of them were a CSL, so i wonder if anyone has made the same experience?

I had my vanos upgraded by Raikku and he did the timing and it seems to be much more responsive and def quieter top end.

I'll post up description later

[Chad]

Correct me if I'm wrong. In BMW vanos related part of service 2 , do they just replace tiny £7 filter if required, not exactly in depths:whistle:

[select]

I had my vanos upgraded by Raikku and he did the timing and it seems to be much more responsive and def quieter top end.

I'll post up description later

Thanks shimmy.


Correct me if I'm wrong. In BMW vanos related part of service 2 , do they just replace tiny £7 filter if required, not exactly in depths:whistle:

They do nothing to the vanos neither inspection I or II.

[Chad]

Thanks shimmy.




They do nothing to the vanos neither inspection I or II.

Just thought I'd read somewhere on inspection 2 they did change or just clean the vanos filter, " point being" they don't do an awful lot for the cost of inspection 2,

[select]

Not sure where it sits but perhaps when they do valve adjustment and they see the filter is clogged up. It is however not part of any inspection. I have a pdf where you can see what they do on which inspection.

[outnumbered]

Just thought I'd read somewhere on inspection 2 they did change or just clean the vanos filter, " point being" they don't do an awful lot for the cost of inspection 2,

I think Monkey@chandlers said he cleans it out, but it's not part of the normal schedule.

[GregorFuk]

Vanos filter is easy to change, I do it on every oil change. BMW Watford sell kits with the required filter and o-rings on ebay.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/172319659094

[Chad]

I think Monkey@chandlers said he cleans it out, but it's not part of the normal schedule.

That's my point guys, you'd have thought it should be part of the service schedule, have clean /change this number of times myself,

[Stumpy]

All sorted ta.
Had some preventative maintenance done whilst it was being checked.

Clutch was on the limit too.

:whistle:

Expensive inspection !!

:bigcry::birdman::beer:

[Chad]

I had my vanos upgraded by Raikku and he did the timing and it seems to be much more responsive and def quieter top end.

I'll post up description later

As a matter of Interest , what presure does the vanon pump generate,in order to advance/ retard cams, I get pump is driven by the camshaft, and advances through use of solinoids, has acumulator vessel etc, so good seals will play a big part, but ultimately it's the pressure that does the job, can this pressure be checked ?

[shimmy]

As a matter of Interest , what presure does the vanon pump generate,in order to advance/ retard cams, I get pump is driven by the camshaft, and advances through use of solinoids, has acumulator vessel etc, so good seals will play a big part, but ultimately it's the pressure that does the job, can this pressure be checked ?

Sorry read that and all i hear is blah.blah.blah.blah blah.....im not technically minded:whistle:

[select]

As a matter of Interest , what presure does the vanon pump generate,in order to advance/ retard cams, I get pump is driven by the camshaft, and advances through use of solinoids, has acumulator vessel etc, so good seals will play a big part, but ultimately it's the pressure that does the job, can this pressure be checked ?

Around 115bar as far as i know. Never checked it myself, so can't say for sure. You can check it with inpa/dis.

[Chad]

Sorry read that and all i hear is blah.blah.blah.blah blah.....im not technically minded:whistle:
Whoops done it again, pressed quote. Instead of post,:hahaha:

[Chad]

Around 115bar as far as i know. Never checked it myself, so can't say for sure. You can check it with inpa/dis.

Cheers select, will have a look at that on inpa, I've got completely stripped head and vanos, interested in how it all works:thumbs:

[select]

Thats cool.. i've seen mine open a couple weeks ago and i still don't fully understand how it all works :bigcry:

[Stumpy]

Got the car back yesterday after some open heart surgery and new clutch.
Love it.

Someone will have one less big bill to worry about if I sell.