E85 2.0i Valvetronic problem(s) maybe?

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:

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...

Hi, a lot of people report improvement after removing the vanos solonoids & cleaning them-its a zero cost experiment as well
Rob

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!
I'm also told that the valvetronic actuator motor might be on the way out too, so that may need replacing as well...