N52 3.0Si Vanos Seals & Vanos Intake Problem

[DJz4]

Hi all,

I hope all is well.

I am planning on having the rocker cover removed, eccentric camshaft sensor and timing chain replaced and I thought while I was there, I might as well change the vanos seals.

I know the N52 isn't a troublesome engine in terms of the vanos seals, although I think it's preventative maintenance. I have tried to contact Mr Vanos to obtain some Viton seals to replace the Buna ones, however it's proving rather difficult to make contact.

Has anyone replaced these and can they recommend a trusted supplier?

Thanks

Joss

 

[Ewazix]

I might be wrong but understood that the Vanos seals were sorted for the N52 with upgraded seals?

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, as mentioned above the vanos seals were changed on the n52 engine & don't seem to be an issue.
How many miles has your car done? It's rare to hear of timing chain problems, is it making a noise?
Rob

 

[DJz4]

I might be wrong but understood that the Vanos seals were sorted for the N52 with upgraded seals?

Interesting, could you please point me towards your source? Plus, it's going to cost a reasonable amount to strip the rocker and I would rather strip the top of the engine once.

 

[DJz4]

Hi, as mentioned above the vanos seals were changed on the n52 engine & don't seem to be an issue.
How many miles has your car done? It's rare to hear of timing chain problems, is it making a noise?
Rob

Hi Rob, my car has completed 120k and it's not making any noises.

There is an issue with the engine and it was plugged in and the fault code 2A82 popped up and I was advised to strip the rocker off and go from there. I have searched the code and it's for the solenoid, although I swapped them and the code didn't swap to the exhaust side.

I note the Valvetronic motor seal is leaking and there was oil in the eccentric camshaft sensor. Taking these parts into consideration, I would also change the chain as there would be some stretch at 120k and the seals wouldn't be fresh, fresh.

Do I need to change or should I consider any other parts? (The famous tappets )

Thanks

Joss

 

[Smartbear]

To be honest, if it's running quietly I would leave it alone-just change the leaking sensor of course.
The n52 can run for well over 200k without needing major surgery, if it's not broken don't fix it!
Rob

 

[Ed Doe]

As above - sounds crazy to be rebuilding the top end if the only fault code directs you to vanos solenoids...

 

[MACK]

I'd do the solenoids and cam sensors first and see what happens. As Rob said the chain are usually fairly reliable. If you check out some of the american E90 forums etc its much more common for the camshafts and associated bits to need replacing than the chains. However the camshafts are rare when compared to the solenoids going down. Apparently the cam sensors often quickly follow the solenoids so probably worth doing at the same time.

Folks have had success with just cleaning the solenoids and putting them back in. (at least in the short term) Seal wise I don't think they're normally an issue. Neither Mr Vanos or Beisien Systems do seals for the N series engine and i6automotive only do then for the 4 cylinder N series engines.

 

[Dave1971]

I tried dealing with Mr vanos but gave up in the end. Beisan supply all the parts you need to do do any refurbishment work on your vanos unit.

 

[DJz4]

To be honest, if it's running quietly I would leave it alone-just change the leaking sensor of course.
The n52 can run for well over 200k without needing major surgery, if it's not broken don't fix it!
Rob

Rob,

I concur with your comments, although to change the sensor the rocker needs to come off

Plus, the sensor is crazy money!!! I would rather go all out if I'm buying an expensive sensor

In addition, I was surprised to read the N52 has a simplex chain!!!! :thumbsdown:

 

[DJz4]

As above - sounds crazy to be rebuilding the top end if the only fault code directs you to vanos solenoids...

Ed Doe,

Indeed it does sound crazy, but I would rather go all out than half-way. I doubt I will be pulling the head off, however once stripped down to the head, it's not that more involved to remove. In addition, I did swap the solenoids around - although the codes didn't jump across

Joss

 

[DJz4]

I'd do the solenoids and cam sensors first and see what happens. As Rob said the chain are usually fairly reliable. If you check out some of the american E90 forums etc its much more common for the camshafts and associated bits to need replacing than the chains. However the camshafts are rare when compared to the solenoids going down. Apparently the cam sensors often quickly follow the solenoids so probably worth doing at the same time.

Folks have had success with just cleaning the solenoids and putting them back in. (at least in the short term) Seal wise I don't think they're normally an issue. Neither Mr Vanos or Beisien Systems do seals for the N series engine and i6automotive only do then for the 4 cylinder N series engines.

Mack,

Many thanks for your suggestions, I think I will probably complete the solenoids/ cam sensors and see how it goes. I have also read some e90 forums, but thanks for the heads up

Thanks for the heads up on those suppliers. So, what happens if someone genuinely needs a refurbed vanos unit or seals for the n52? Do they have to buy the complete unit from BMW?

Joss

 

[DJz4]

I tried dealing with Mr vanos but gave up in the end. Beisan supply all the parts you need to do do any refurbishment work on your vanos unit.

Hi Dave1971,

Many thanks - do you have a link to Beisan supplier or is it the same as this webite : http://www.beisansystems.com/

Have you received or know they supply the n52 seals whilst considering the Mack's comments?

Thanks

Joss

 

[Ewazix]

I might be wrong but understood that the Vanos seals were sorted for the N52 with upgraded seals?

Interesting, could you please point me towards your source? Plus, it's going to cost a reasonable amount to strip the rocker and I would rather strip the top of the engine once.

There have been lots of references to the seal material having been changed for the N52 on the forum and elsewhere
e.g. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17204

Personally I would leave them if all is well.

 

[MACK]

the seals appear to be available separately from BMW if you look at real oem

 

[NickDE]

I have tried to contact Mr Vanos to obtain some Viton seals to replace the Buna ones, however it's proving rather difficult to make contact.

Mr Vanos did a complete rebuild on my M52 last year, and did a very good job. He is usually busy so initial contact was hard - try phone, email and text. Once the car was scheduled in though everything ran smoothly and spot on. Except he charged me less than initially quoted as the job was a bit easier than he expected...

 

[DJz4]

I might be wrong but understood that the Vanos seals were sorted for the N52 with upgraded seals?

Interesting, could you please point me towards your source? Plus, it's going to cost a reasonable amount to strip the rocker and I would rather strip the top of the engine once.

There have been lots of references to the seal material having been changed for the N52 on the forum and elsewhere
e.g. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17204

Personally I would leave them if all is well.

Many thanks - I always find it difficult when searching for past topics. I will keep the threaded updated on how I proceed.

 

[DJz4]

the seals appear to be available separately from BMW if you look at real oem

Hi Mack,

Could you please upload the seal number or the picture? i'm struggling to locate on realoem.

Thanks

Joss

 

[DJz4]

I have tried to contact Mr Vanos to obtain some Viton seals to replace the Buna ones, however it's proving rather difficult to make contact.

Mr Vanos did a complete rebuild on my M52 last year, and did a very good job. He is usually busy so initial contact was hard - try phone, email and text. Once the car was scheduled in though everything ran smoothly and spot on. Except he charged me less than initially quoted as the job was a bit easier than he expected...

Cheers NickDE.

I'm sure he's busy, which I good - but, difficult for anyone to get through.

I suppose persistence will prevail - thanks for telling your experience.

Joss

 

[DJz4]

All,

Many thanks for your advice and help, I will take on your comments and I will update in due course.

Thanks

Joss