Performed the VANOs Repair Procedure Today

S

Shipkiller

Veteran
A number of weeks ago, I was trolling the internet looking for Z4 info, and found a thread up on BimmerBoard forum about a Vanos design problem on BMW's M54 series engines. In case you don't know what a VANOs is, it is the Variable Valve Timing unit that adjusts your intake and exhaust CAMS that control the valves in your engine.

This is the thread I found: http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/439158
This is the Vanos forum site: http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/vanos

and this is the web site from the guy that developed the fix: http://www.beisansystems.com/index.html

So I ordered the new O-Rings and new Vanos gasket, valve cover seals and Vanos oil line banjo washers.

Took the day off from work and performed the repair.

After installing the new o-rings and getting everything back in place, time for the moment of truth.

Now, I never saw the cold idle problems others have seen, and I always thought my car ran great...

I was WRONG.

After startup, I was going to let it idle a few minutes so it could warm up and I could check for oil leaks, so I had to walk back into the garage for another rag. When I came back out, I thought the car had stalled... No, It was just idling so smoothly that I really could not hear the car running until I got right up on the car. Ok, THATS different.

Then went for a drive.

Put the car in Manual mode and placed the gearbox in 1st gear and pounded the accelerator. Never before have I had the DTC kick in like this... :evil: Now this is much better... low end torque is greater, and acceleration is just great.

Now I also understand that it will take about 500 miles of city type driving (or spirited driving) before seals get fully broken in, but I look forward to helping it along....

Since it will be 65' here tomorrow, I guess I just HAVE to drive it to work....

I will not post a How-To, since there is a very good one on the Beisans web site.
 
ive gotta check if this vanos procedure will actually affect my car as in australia, there is only the single vanos. also, i will have to see if i can find someone to install it as for $60 its quite cheap to get a fix like that done

Its weird how my engine is a M54 and it is single vanos
 
Dr. Vanos sell a complete rebuilt hydraulic assembly. 99% of those with problems do not need this. Just a seal (O-Ring) replacement.

$60.00 is just for the Vano O-Rings. You also need to get a valve cover gasket kit ($20.00) and Vanos to engine body gasket($10.00). I would also recommend two new Banjo washers for the oil pressure line that feeds the Vanos unit. They are about $1.50 each.

According to the Beisan site, this also effects the single Vanos units for the M50/M52 or S50/S52 engine along with the M52TU, M54, and M56 dual Vanos engines.
http://www.beisansystems.com/index.html

Dnload and print out the How-To from the Beisan site. It is a very detailed set of instructions that even shows what tools are needed...

The Dual Vanos installation is also a very basic procedure that can be done by the average mechanic, and is not difficult. The cam gears and timing chains do not need to be removed, so there is no possibility of accidentally affecting the cam timing. Unless you do something absolutely stupid like turn the engine over with the Vanos unit out of the car.
The BMW tools are NOT needed for the dual Vanos installation.

Now that I have put 500 miles on the new seals, the car runs fabulously. I reduced my 0-60 time by .5 seconds... Acceleration at highway speeds is just great. So smooth.
Now I really want to get a //M to see what REAL power is like in this car.... :evil:
 
Sephanite said:
ive gotta check if this vanos procedure will actually affect my car as in australia, there is only the single vanos. also, i will have to see if i can find someone to install it as for $60 its quite cheap to get a fix like that done

Its weird how my engine is a M54 and it is single vanos
Click to expand...

The labor costs will eat you up. It takes approx. four or more hours to do....

Are you SURE you have a single Vanos unit?

The Single Vanos has ONE solenoid (drivers side of the Vanos at the oil inlet) and the Dual Vanos has TWO solenoids (both sides of the unit).

This link (http://www.drvanos.com/index2.html) from Dr. Vanos show a picture of both the single and dual Vanos units. You can only see the bottom halve of the Vanos assemblies while on the car, and that is were the solenoids are located.
 
What the heck is this about?! OMG! Are you saying we all have to have this VANOs repair thing done now? I can't believe it's made that big of a difference on your car! How many of us are driving around with suboptimal performance then?

Is there some way to know if we need to have this done?

I find it iffy though only because that website basically says that they tested dyno numbers and fuel mileage in failing VANOs, new VANOs, and repaired VANOs and there was no difference. How is it that you're cutting 0.5s off of your 0-60mph time? That is a LOT!
 
everyone i have asked from dealers, bmw auth mechanics through to bmw enthusiasts have told me that australian m54 bmws only have single vanos as we dont have any emission regulations. no idea how to find out the truth yet though
 
takedown8 said:
What the heck is this about?! OMG! Are you saying we all have to have this VANOs repair thing done now? I can't believe it's made that big of a difference on your car! How many of us are driving around with suboptimal performance then?

Is there some way to know if we need to have this done?

I find it iffy though only because that website basically says that they tested dyno numbers and fuel mileage in failing VANOs, new VANOs, and repaired VANOs and there was no difference. How is it that you're cutting 0.5s off of your 0-60mph time? That is a LOT!
Click to expand...
This is a well know problem.....
The OE seals (O-rings) are crap.
They degrade & dry out with the heat of normal operation.
JMO, but It's good preventive mtce. for very little cost.
 
vachss said:
Anybody know if this is still an issue for the newer N52 motors or did BMW fix the problem with this iteration?
Click to expand...

I have not found any information that there is a Vanos O-ring problem on the newer N52 engines. BMW may have fixed this issue.
 
I am new enough that I do not understand the nomenclature. How do you tell what type engine you have? Is it posted somewhere on your vehicle? The M50/M52, 50/S52 M52TU, M54, and M56. What the heck are these numbers and how do I find out what my Z has in it? Thanks
 
inTgr8r said:
This is a well know problem.....
The OE seals (O-rings) are crap.
They degrade & dry out with the heat of normal operation.
JMO, but It's good preventive mtce. for very little cost.
Click to expand...

Honestly, the longer I own this car, the more times I'm hearing, "This is a well known problem....". And my car is only 3 years old! :headbang:
 
WaZZZZman said:
I am new enough that I do not understand the nomenclature. How do you tell what type engine you have? Is it posted somewhere on your vehicle? The M50/M52, 50/S52 M52TU, M54, and M56. What the heck are these numbers and how do I find out what my Z has in it? Thanks
Click to expand...

You have the M54 engine like all 2003-05 Z4's.
 
takedown8 said:
WaZZZZman said:
I am new enough that I do not understand the nomenclature. How do you tell what type engine you have? Is it posted somewhere on your vehicle? The M50/M52, 50/S52 M52TU, M54, and M56. What the heck are these numbers and how do I find out what my Z has in it? Thanks
Click to expand...

You have the M54 engine like all 2003-05 Z4's.
Click to expand...
& Isn't the 3.0si an N52?
 
This thread has opened my eyes a bit in regards to my engine. I'm sure I'm a prime candidate for this fix, as I have always thought I had unnecessary boggin from about 1200 - 2500 RPM in 2nd and 3rd.

This fix looks to be at about the limits of my mechanical ability. This is going to take some courage on my part to execute, not to mention borrowing a friend's garage for the day.

Shipkiller, I don't suppose this is the sort of thing you'd be interested in helping a fellow Virginian out with one weekend at your convenience. I'd be happy to make it worth your while, knowing I had an experienced hand helping me.
 
This thread is going to make a lot of people paranoid :o

Can BMW please hurry up and put the 3.0 twin turbo engine in a Z4 so I can buy one :evil:
 
OUt of curiosity I checked with DrVanos re N52 & S54;
this is his reply....

At the moment I don't have anything for the N52, and I am looking into the S54 (and S62, S50B32) vanos to see if they can benefit from the upgraded seals. You might check back in a few weeks to see if there are any updates.
Click to expand...
 
WaZZZZman said:
I am new enough that I do not understand the nomenclature. How do you tell what type engine you have? Is it posted somewhere on your vehicle? The M50/M52, 50/S52 M52TU, M54, and M56. What the heck are these numbers and how do I find out what my Z has in it? Thanks
Click to expand...


Send me the last seven (7) digits of your VIN, or go to this link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

and put those last seven digits of your VIN into the SERIAL NUMBER block, and select SEARCH.

The seventh column over will the the Engine Column. That will tell you what your engine code is...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom