Another Vanos Thread

[Uncle_Gravy]

Hi,

I've had my car for nearly 3 years now, Unsure when or if the Vanos has ever been touched, When do these normally need parts replacing or rebuilding? Best cost effective place to get it sorted out?

3.0i M54

 

[Ducklakeview]

They fail, as in the seals stop holding oil, from as little as 30k miles. You don't get any errors or indications, just a gradual loss of mid-range torque.

Mike

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

They fail, as in the seals stop holding oil, from as little as 30k miles. You don't get any errors or indications, just a gradual loss of mid-range torque.

Mike

So it can be knackered at any time then, I'm unsure if it's ever been done prior to my ownership, I had the car at around 80 something thousand miles, now its on 107k miles, probably worth saving a bit of money to get that sorted out.

How much am I looking to get it sorted out? and any recommendations on who can sort it using the better seals that don't perish?



Also out of interest, anyone in South Wales ever used Autotech Independent BMW in Ponthir Caerleon? BMW owners I know recommend them to me just wondering if anyone here have had dealings with them.

 

[Ducklakeview]

At 107k, I'd 100% say the seals will be ineffective. There is a definitive test that can be done once it's connected to the diagnostic system.

The seals now used and manufactured by the likes of i6 Automotive and the like are a different material, more like those used on the newer engines. As such they don't deteriorate in use like the originally fitted ones.

Mike

 

[MACK]

They fail, as in the seals stop holding oil, from as little as 30k miles. You don't get any errors or indications, just a gradual loss of mid-range torque.

Mike

So it can be knackered at any time then, I'm unsure if it's ever been done prior to my ownership, I had the car at around 80 something thousand miles, now its on 107k miles, probably worth saving a bit of money to get that sorted out.

How much am I looking to get it sorted out? and any recommendations on who can sort it using the better seals that don't perish?



Also out of interest, anyone in South Wales ever used Autotech Independent BMW in Ponthir Caerleon? BMW owners I know recommend them to me just wondering if anyone here have had dealings with them.

Beisan systems in the states that pioneered this fix claim the seals are done by 20k miles. They also have a great guide to the procedure on their site. It's a relatively easy job if your handy with the spanners. If not alot of indies and specialists are aware of this repair these days but that said many are not. Best bet is to call in your local place and ask them about it. If they're unfamiliar with it show them the guide on beisans website and see if they take it on. It's about 3 hours of a job. Parts are typically less than £100 from UK suppliers like i6automotive and that includes replacement gaskets. The actual parts for the fix are only circa £20, with rattle rings about the same again. You don't really need to do the rattle rings in most cases, it's US spec zhp cars with different cams that usually need them.

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

They fail, as in the seals stop holding oil, from as little as 30k miles. You don't get any errors or indications, just a gradual loss of mid-range torque.

Mike

So it can be knackered at any time then, I'm unsure if it's ever been done prior to my ownership, I had the car at around 80 something thousand miles, now its on 107k miles, probably worth saving a bit of money to get that sorted out.

How much am I looking to get it sorted out? and any recommendations on who can sort it using the better seals that don't perish?



Also out of interest, anyone in South Wales ever used Autotech Independent BMW in Ponthir Caerleon? BMW owners I know recommend them to me just wondering if anyone here have had dealings with them.

Beisan systems in the states that pioneered this fix claim the seals are done by 20k miles. They also have a great guide to the procedure on their site. It's a relatively easy job if your handy with the spanners. If not alot of indies and specialists are aware of this repair these days but that said many are not. Best bet is to call in your local place and ask them about it. If they're unfamiliar with it show them the guide on beisans website and see if they take it on. It's about 3 hours of a job. Parts are typically less than £100 from UK suppliers like i6automotive and that includes replacement gaskets. The actual parts for the fix are only circa £20, with rattle rings about the same again. You don't really need to do the rattle rings in most cases, it's US spec zhp cars with different cams that usually need them.

Unfortunately i'm not that handy with the spanners, but that's an interesting read.