MrVanos

S

Smartbear

Lifer
 a barn in Somerset
Interesting video posted by Imran from Evolveautomotive, featuring MrVanos dismantling a vanos unit from an S54 & explaining how it works,what goes wrong & how they’re fixed :thumbsup:
https://www.evolveautomotive.com/blog/e46-m3-vanos-failure-why-it-happens-how-to-fix-it-with-mr-vanos-m3-csl-z3-m-coupe-s54.html?utm_source=Evolve+Automotive+News&utm_campaign=73f27ad1fb-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_07_25_04_46&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0216f978e4-73f27ad1fb-51222447
Rob
 
Doesn’t explain what causes / is the source of the ‘problem’ though.

Also fails to mention that several cars can do 200,000+ miles on original vanos units.

And fails to mention that the unit can be inspected at inspection services, and usually vanos failure will result in rattle and an EML light - which should be the reference point for any work, rather than just replacing for the unit for the sake of it.

Imo S54 vanos failure is one of the most over hyped ‘issues’ on the net. Bit like the crank hub conundrum on the S55.

Would like to know if any of the aftermarket vanos kits are capable of 200,000+ miles…

Plus if memory serves me right, pretty sure this chap recommends running 10w50 oil, and if you don’t do this then your warranty is void…more questions than answers I’m afraid.
 
R60BBA said:
Doesn’t explain what causes / is the source of the ‘problem’ though.

Also fails to mention that several cars can do 200,000+ miles on original vanos units.

And fails to mention that the unit can be inspected at inspection services, and usually vanos failure will result in rattle and an EML light - which should be the reference point for any work, rather than just replacing for the unit for the sake of it.

Imo S54 vanos failure is one of the most over hyped ‘issues’ on the net. Bit like the crank hub conundrum on the S55.

Would like to know if any of the aftermarket vanos kits are capable of 200,000+ miles…

Plus if memory serves me right, pretty sure this chap recommends running 10w50 oil, and if you don’t do this then your warranty is void…more questions than answers I’m afraid.
Click to expand...

He said that in his experience the rattle is usually the timing chain, i should think he’s an authority on them after how long he’s been repairing them?
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
He said that in his experience the rattle is usually the timing chain, i should think he’s an authority on them after how long he’s been repairing them?
Rob
Click to expand...

Shame in the past he used metal dowels in the Vanos pump discs for the tolerance issue instead of drilling a new hole. Starting to turn up in places like Hack Engineering now that have pretty bad damage to these dowels inc. missing metal pieces and need replacing again, like mine :x

Nothing against Steve, seems fairly sound otherwise as I've used him on two of my previous cars, won't again though. I've gone past the stage these days of getting p*ssed off thankfully, these things happen I guess. :roll: I just vote with my feet instead.

R60BBA said:
Doesn’t explain what causes / is the source of the ‘problem’ though.

Also fails to mention that several cars can do 200,000+ miles on original vanos units.

And fails to mention that the unit can be inspected at inspection services, and usually vanos failure will result in rattle and an EML light - which should be the reference point for any work, rather than just replacing for the unit for the sake of it.

Imo S54 vanos failure is one of the most over hyped ‘issues’ on the net. Bit like the crank hub conundrum on the S55.

Would like to know if any of the aftermarket vanos kits are capable of 200,000+ miles…

Plus if memory serves me right, pretty sure this chap recommends running 10w50 oil, and if you don’t do this then your warranty is void…more questions than answers I’m afraid.
Click to expand...

Have to agree with this to be honest in my experience. My 'recon' unit lasted barely 25k miles before having to be taken apart again for the above issue.
If only the younger me didn't shoot from the hip so much would have been over 2k better off with my various VANOS shenanigans over the years :cry: Only myself to blame for that though!
 
Smartbear said:
R60BBA said:
Doesn’t explain what causes / is the source of the ‘problem’ though.

Also fails to mention that several cars can do 200,000+ miles on original vanos units.

And fails to mention that the unit can be inspected at inspection services, and usually vanos failure will result in rattle and an EML light - which should be the reference point for any work, rather than just replacing for the unit for the sake of it.

Imo S54 vanos failure is one of the most over hyped ‘issues’ on the net. Bit like the crank hub conundrum on the S55.

Would like to know if any of the aftermarket vanos kits are capable of 200,000+ miles…

Plus if memory serves me right, pretty sure this chap recommends running 10w50 oil, and if you don’t do this then your warranty is void…more questions than answers I’m afraid.
Click to expand...

He said that in his experience the rattle is usually the timing chain, i should think he’s an authority on them after how long he’s been repairing them?
Rob
Click to expand...
I strongly question the ‘authority’ of someone who recommends running 10w50 oil on the S54.
 
Ed Doe said:
R60BBA said:
I strongly question the ‘authority’ of someone who recommends running 10w50 oil on the S54.
Click to expand...

Why?
Click to expand...
It’s not manufacturer approved.

Also I don’t see the benefits, same viscosity when cold but less lubrication when hot.

10w50 will need to be replaced more frequently as it will degrade to the likes of 10w40 etc much faster than 10w60.
 
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