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E85 2.0i Valvetronic problem(s) maybe?

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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DAVco
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E85 2.0i Valvetronic problem(s) maybe?

Post by DAVco » Tue Mar 21, 2017 3:29 pm

I've always thought my Zed (2008 2.0i Sport) was a little bit lethargic low down the rev range. I'd put this down to buying the 'eco' 2.0i model, and coming from a 2.0L MX5 that was a fair bit lighter...

However, I've recently acquired a collection of errors codes (listed below) that strongly hint that the VANOS is on it's way out - I'm thinking that maybe it's been on deaths-door for as long as I've owned the car (about 2 years)? It struggled to start one morning, and seemed to stall. Started and drove normally the second time I tried, then displayed warning lights the next day. The warning lights on my dash are "EML" and "Check engine". The car continues to drive pretty much as normal, but I have noticed "lack of power at low revs" being more pronounced than I remember.

The car is taking a trip to the garage on Thursday (23rd) so my local mechanic can have a poke around to figure out whats wrong, but I'd like to get the opinion of you good people on this forum :)

As I understand it, the Pre-2006 cars have a hydraulic VANOS where the OEM seals fail. The fix for these is to install an 'upgraded' set of seals and gaskets. Is this also the solution for my 2008 N46B20 engined car? Also, does this engine have Single or Double VANOS?


Error codes:

Code: Select all

2A70 | Valvetronic Sporadic Current Fluctuation
2A5D | VVT - Sensor Plausibility
2A6C | VVT - Stops Leaning Necessary
2A61 | VVT - Teaching Function At Stop
2A63 | VVT - Actuator Monitoring
2A6B | Power Supply Limit VVT - Emergency
Oh! I've also picked up the classic Z4 "knackered rear springs" problem. Absolutely nothing to do with the council recently putting massive slabs of concrete (speedbumps) on all the roads around my house, I'm sure...
Last edited by DAVco on Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2008 Z4 2.0i Sport

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Smartbear
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E85 2.0i Vanos problem(s) maybe?

Post by Smartbear » Tue Mar 21, 2017 5:02 pm

Hi, a lot of people report improvement after removing the vanos solonoids & cleaning them-its a zero cost experiment as well :thumbsup:
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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DAVco
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E85 2.0i Vanos problem(s) maybe?

Post by DAVco » Tue Mar 21, 2017 5:22 pm

Thanks Smartbear, I'll let my mechanic know that's something to try - I'd give it a go myself but I really don't have the garage space.
2008 Z4 2.0i Sport

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DAVco
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E85 2.0i Vanos problem(s) maybe?

Post by DAVco » Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:22 pm

My mechanic is still unsure as to what the problem is, but he's fairly certain it's a Valvetronic issue rather than VANOS. Apparently 2A6B | Power Supply Limit VVT - Emergency is the important error code (indicating a lack of power to Valvetronic, maybe). He's got an auto-electrician coming to have a look at it.
2008 Z4 2.0i Sport

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E85 2.0i Valvetronic problem(s) maybe?

Post by DAVco » Sat Apr 01, 2017 3:14 pm

Back from the mechanics' today. Apparently he found oil in (what I think is) the 'eccentric shaft sensor' plug of the Valvetronic system. Cleaning the oil out, we were able to clear the error codes, but they returned as soon as the car was driven for a few minutes.

This is an issue that I've seen reported in a few places (seems to affect the e90 2.0 as well - same engine?). I'm guessing I'll need a new Eccentric shaft sensor + gasket to fix this problem?
2008 Z4 2.0i Sport

cherrym
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E85 2.0i Valvetronic problem(s) maybe?

Post by cherrym » Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:53 pm

I had this problem with my 2.5s.i and had the sensor changed by "Durham Dave" who does the roof motor relocations.Its an expensive little part but once the oil is comeing up through the sensor it will only fail eventually.
If you search Valvetronic you will find photo of mine.
[*]Sold,Silver grey 2007 2.5si Sport convertible.previous 03 2.7boxter,2.0 MX5,Golf R,2.9Boxster,golf gti,Now Z4 e23i and M135i

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DAVco
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E85 2.0i Valvetronic problem(s) maybe?

Post by DAVco » Fri Apr 07, 2017 12:32 pm

Thanks for that cherrym! Looks like exactly what has happened to mine.

My car is currently in with a BMW specialist to have the sensor changed. Expensive part indeed - all because a rubber gasket failed! :headbang:
I'm also told that the valvetronic actuator motor might be on the way out too, so that may need replacing as well...
2008 Z4 2.0i Sport

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