N52 Vanos Check Valves

D

DiscoDaveZ4

Member
I have read that it maybe worth cleaning the vanos check valves, seen how to's. But they all seemed to be removed via going in through the wheel arch. But on investigation it seem that this is not easy as there is a engine heat shield in the way.

Has anyone removed and it does look possible (maybe...lol) through the engine bay.
 
Can’t really help unfortunately, but this was highlighted in M539 restorations N52 5 series, recent second video. I didn’t even know they were a thing. Maybe a special tool?
 
On my E89, I was able to access them from the top of the engine bay. It was fiddly and I imagine a small mirror would help. Nonetheless, I did it within an hour and honestly there was basically nothing on mine. I've no idea if they'd been cleaned in the past (such as when the VANOS recall was performed) but the car was on 140k miles when I checked them. Regular oil changes will effectively stop any build up of sludge or carbon.
 
Matt.rowley.1990 said:
On my E89, I was able to access them from the top of the engine bay. It was fiddly and I imagine a small mirror would help. Nonetheless, I did it within an hour and honestly there was basically nothing on mine. I've no idea if they'd been cleaned in the past (such as when the VANOS recall was performed) but the car was on 140k miles when I checked them. Regular oil changes will effectively stop any build up of sludge or carbon.
Click to expand...

Cheers, it does look like access is through the engine bay, as heat shield is in the way. Fingers crossed its only an hour for me to :-)

A job once it stops raining....lol
 
If you get INPA (or similar) software hooked up, that'll tell you if they're working properly or not which might negate the need for spanner work.

I was thinking about cleaning my VANOS up but then looking at the diags, it's in rude health so no need to worry about it. Well, from a 'is it working ok' perspective - you might still want to it from a pre-emptive maintenance POV.
 
danfrost89 said:
If you get INPA (or similar) software hooked up, that'll tell you if they're working properly or not which might negate the need for spanner work.

I was thinking about cleaning my VANOS up but then looking at the diags, it's in rude health so no need to worry about it. Well, from a 'is it working ok' perspective - you might still want to it from a pre-emptive maintenance POV.
Click to expand...
He’s talking about the check valves in the block that ensure clean oil goes to the vanos, not the solenoids.
 
Vanos solenoids were recently cleaned, just trying preventive maintance.

But on way home from BMW dealer after collecting o-rings, in the wet, the Z4 throw a fit.....lol air bag warning light flashed on, read code (front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat (93c2)

Will not reset, no one ever sits in the seat, hoping its just a connection issue (hot weather to damp), so will clean connectors and cross fingers.

Start one job, and another more important job occurs, bloody car.....lol

Thanks for the help regarding the check valves.
 
Everything sorted 🤞

Check valves were not to bad, but worth doing. Took about an hour, removed from engine bay, replaced coolant tank for better access.

Will write up a little how to, for anyone else wanting to complete.

Placebo effect is amazing, car ran and accelerated very very well....lol
 

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