Need to get my Vanos looked at

[RedUn]

I got mine replaced by Mr VANOS at my home address in Leicestershire during the weekend. While he was 'at it' he also checked the valve clearance (two shims needed replacing)

The valve clearances need to be done in a controlled environment of 20'C. The tolerance on them is so tight that just an ambient temp change of 10'C is enough to push them from one end of the spec to the other. Unbelievable I know, but many repeated checks both first thing in the morning (about 7'C) compared to middle of afternoon (about 19'C) can make the difference between in spec and out of spec. Confirmed with many repeated measurements over 2 days using very high quality digital vernier calipers.

I’d be very surprised if any main dealers and Indy’s have temperature controlled workshops. Open plan workshops with large rollers doors, just not going to happen.

I work for a precision engineering company. We machine and measure components at 20C and the components have to be in the temp controlled room 24 hours before machining to ensure accuracy.

This just doesn’t happen with garages changing shims.

Depends on the dealership, the guys I have used for many years take the car the day before and let it settle in the workshop for 24hrs before doing shims.

If someone is doing it differently they are doing it wrong.

 

[MrPT]

Ditto. Dropped off the day before and sat in situ, waiting to be checked the following afternoon.

As I understand it, the chance of needing regular shim changes (i.e. at every major inspection) should be pretty low unless the engine is regularly taken to its limits or you insist on adjustments back into the middle or “loose” side of the range.

I actually found it quite hard to foot the bill for a valve clearance check that resulted in no corrections, but I guess it’s a good sign. There’s certainly a strong argument for doing it yourself.

 

[matthewpri]

Hi guys,

I've started to have some similar issues with my Z over the past few weeks. It runs fine but when you put a step input into the throttle it sounds like its running on 5 rather than 6 cylinders for a few seconds then catches up and flies. Plugged my diagnostics in and nothing comes up. I took it into a local garage recently and they said it might just be because its cold at the moment but im not entirely convinced. Is this a VANOS issue and if so any recommendations on getting it fixed/cost and is it something I could do myself?

 

[SiJar]

Oh that explains as when I had my cars inspection 1 carried out in December the BMW indi garage insisted on the car being dropped off the night before to be at the right temperature to carry out the work.

 

[JoshsZ4M]

[ref]Anothermidlifecrisis[/ref], I would give Darragh another try bud. I’m in West Oxfordshire and we’ve managed to sort something out. He’s just got himself a great rep’ pretty quickly and now has work coming out of his ears. I’ve booked in with him over a month ahead.

You should check out this vid on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BRm_soPGdgA

This is his mod to create a manual CSL for someone... and I understand he’s now got another two on the waiting list.

If you can get away with it, his level of workmanship feels worth the wait.