Vanos broken - Page 2

**Mark CSL** · 30-04-2009, 10:41 AM

Yes baz at the garage i always use

They can do a vanos test on the unit when it is on the car
The tec said it was grinding when he ran the vanos test and it failed the test
he wont know if it needs the gears till he removes the cam cover and can see if the gears have any ware

**XPorker** · 30-04-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark csl

Yes baz at the garage i always use

They can do a vanos test on the unit when it is on the car
The tec said it was grinding when he ran the vanos test and it failed the test
he wont know if it needs the gears till he removes the cam cover and can see if the gears have any ware

Normally (as I understand it) a Vanos test is run first. If the test is failed the gears are replaced. If after their replacement the test results don't fall within the specified parameters the Vanos unit is replaced.

The lads at Simpson MS said mine was noisy and I thus took it to my local dealer and they replaced it (under warranty) The improvement in power at the top end of the rev range after its replacement was VERY noticeable.

NZ_M3 · 01-05-2009, 01:04 AM

Vanos delete kit group buy perhaps??

Thorney · 01-05-2009, 07:24 AM

You can ignore a bit of noise but if the noise changes or gets louder over time then its worth investigating. Failure is mind numbingly rare on 46's but that doesn't mean that BMW dealers dont like to change them willy nilly to keep the business going

thegingerninja · 01-05-2009, 09:31 AM

I was under the same impression that they can go a little bit rattly and it is nothing to worry about. Apparently it is quite obvious when they are on the way out -but like you say, BMW will do anything to make some money.

**alexk** · 01-05-2009, 09:59 AM

I am the guy from mtorque with the vanos issue.
Mine was making a lot of noise, with 47k km.
They changed the full vanos unit.
When I went to pick it up, I was saying that it still makes noise. They said it's ok.
Some days later, the csl sounded like it has a hammer inside.
I went to another dealer, they had to change the gearbox of the vanos.

So, with vanos unit and vanos gearbox (some... 8000 CHF later) the engine is perfect. BMW paid everything.

Don't worry. It's something extremely rare, but it might happen.
The space shuttle blew up in front of the world, a vanos unit has the right to fail.

leonb · 01-05-2009, 04:02 PM

Hmm, I remember a couple of years ago posting about the vanos problem on mine over on Mtorque, and most people shot me down saying 'they don't go wrong on E46's'

2 vanos units on mine and 1 sets of gears later....

Both units were tested and both were faultly.

_Nathan_ · 01-05-2009, 04:10 PM

Did they replace the gears first time round?

leonb · 01-05-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Nathan_

Did they replace the gears first time round?

Nope.

_Nathan_ · 01-05-2009, 04:54 PM

I bet if they had the 2nd vanos unit wouldn't have needed replacing, same as Mark...

30-04-2009, 10:41 AM	#11
Mark CSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 8,777 Casino cash: $42229	Yes baz at the garage i always use They can do a vanos test on the unit when it is on the car The tec said it was grinding when he ran the vanos test and it failed the test he wont know if it needs the gears till he removes the cam cover and can see if the gears have any ware __________________ www.procarkits.co.uk

01-05-2009, 07:24 AM	#14
Thorney S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 469 Casino cash: $3876	You can ignore a bit of noise but if the noise changes or gets louder over time then its worth investigating. Failure is mind numbingly rare on 46's but that doesn't mean that BMW dealers dont like to change them willy nilly to keep the business going __________________ http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk

01-05-2009, 09:59 AM	#16
alexk Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,785 Casino cash: $29970	I am the guy from mtorque with the vanos issue. Mine was making a lot of noise, with 47k km. They changed the full vanos unit. When I went to pick it up, I was saying that it still makes noise. They said it's ok. Some days later, the csl sounded like it has a hammer inside. I went to another dealer, they had to change the gearbox of the vanos. So, with vanos unit and vanos gearbox (some... 8000 CHF later) the engine is perfect. BMW paid everything. Don't worry. It's something extremely rare, but it might happen. The space shuttle blew up in front of the world, a vanos unit has the right to fail. __________________ www.clubcsl.com - I am a BMW Motorsport fan ! My youtube channel is here

01-05-2009, 01:04 AM	#13
NZ_M3 S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,434 Casino cash: $13579	Vanos delete kit group buy perhaps??

01-05-2009, 09:31 AM	#15
thegingerninja S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 370 Casino cash: $4367	I was under the same impression that they can go a little bit rattly and it is nothing to worry about. Apparently it is quite obvious when they are on the way out -but like you say, BMW will do anything to make some money.

01-05-2009, 04:02 PM	#17
leonb Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 19 Casino cash: $213	Hmm, I remember a couple of years ago posting about the vanos problem on mine over on Mtorque, and most people shot me down saying 'they don't go wrong on E46's' 2 vanos units on mine and 1 sets of gears later.... Both units were tested and both were faultly.

01-05-2009, 04:10 PM	#18
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	Did they replace the gears first time round?

01-05-2009, 04:54 PM	#20
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	I bet if they had the 2nd vanos unit wouldn't have needed replacing, same as Mark...