Timing Check - Project Spa

[Wayo11]

Hi all. I am looking for some advice please. My E85 2.5si (Project Spa) has an issue on startup where it is hunting for a few seconds before revving high, then settles down. About 50% of the time I get the VANOS error codes shown in the pic. The car drives well, with the occasional 'miss' when accelerating.

While the car was sat in Norfolk Z Rescue , with Martin (enuff_zed), he checked, cleaned/replaced the solenoids and check valves and everything else that needed to be checked, but the issue is still there.

The next thing to check is the timing. Can anyone recommend someone in the south west who could do this please? I am in Warminster, about an hour South East of Bristol and an hour South of Swindon.

Any advice / suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Wayo11]

This is what Martin has done to try and rectify this fault:

Vanos solenoids removed, cleaned and tested - all OK
Eccentric Cam Sensor found contaminated with engine oil
Vanos non-return valves removed and filters cleaned
Eccentric Cam Sensor replaced with new item
Cam position sensors replaced

 

[enuff_zed]

This is what Martin has done to try and rectify this fault:

Vanos solenoids removed, cleaned and tested - all OK
Eccentric Cam Sensor found contaminated with engine oil
Vanos non-return valves removed and filters cleaned
Eccentric Cam Sensor replaced with new item
Cam position sensors replaced

You forgot to add: swore, begged, cajoled, prayed.................. and swore again. :wink:

 

[Wayo11]

I left that for you to add Martin :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[enuff_zed]

I left that for you to add Martin :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

You do realise once it's fixed you have to back to the 'ring to improve your lap time.

 

[Wayo11]

:rofl: Already thinking of doing that anyway... Ring and Spa in one road trip sounds like a plan!

 

[Wayo11]

Forza GB in Caldicot is not too far from you.

They used to offer a 15% discount on labour to members of this forum in the past, but I'm not sure if they still do now.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Sierra papa tango]

Garage Bavarian (https://garagebavarian.com) in Frome has looked after my stuff for a few years, labour at £65/hr + VAT looking at this morning's invoice. Not sure how that compares to the wider market, but as I can walk home from there and he always fits me in I'm happy enough. I've also used Mill Lane Automotive outside Bristol, but tired of all the sitting on buses required to make the logistics work.

 

[Wayo11]

Garage Bavarian (https://garagebavarian.com) in Frome has looked after my stuff for a few years, labour at £65/hr + VAT looking at this morning's invoice. Not sure how that compares to the wider market, but as I can walk home from there and he always fits me in I'm happy enough. I've also used Mill Lane Automotive outside Bristol, but tired of all the sitting on buses required to make the logistics work.

Now you are talking - that is only 10 miles from my front door! I will give them a shout. Thanks for the tip, Sierra papa tango! Great name that...

 

[Wayo11]

All booked in with Garage Bavarian at the end of Jan. Quote is £350 worst case.

Thanks again for the tip!

 

[romanone]

£350 isn't too bad for timing work tbh.

 

[Wayo11]

Quick update on the car as it sits in Garage Bavarian (thanks again for the tip Sierra papa tango, they have been great! The work is yet to be completed, but this is what they have done so far:

Timing check - all ok
Replaced PCV to cure 'hunting' and oil leak
Replaced cam position sensors for genuine parts to cure VANOS error code (serves me right for trying to get it done on a budget last time) - NOW ERROR CODE FREE! :topicclosed:
Replaced front lower control arms due to excessive play
Re-gassed aircon
Handbrake adjusted as over tightened

Outstanding work:
Replace Eccentric Cam Sensor with genuine BMW part as eccentric shaft not adjusting and car feels flat (according to the garage)

Total cost will be £1,500 for this lump of work, but I wanted to get it all sorted before putting it up for sale, sadly.

Picking the car up next week and will refit the 108s and get it all cleaned up and advertised on the forum. Keep your eyes peeled!

 

[enuff_zed]

Outstanding work:
Replace Eccentric Cam Sensor with genuine BMW part as eccentric shaft not adjusting and car feels flat (according to the garage)

Mark, just checking and whilst I replaced the Eccentric Cam Sensor due to the old one being full of oil, I did not change the actual servo motor. Live data showed it all working properly at that time.
So there is a chance that it is the motor that is the problem not the sensor. Maybe ask them to check that before spending on the sensor?

 

[Wayo11]

Thanks Martin - I will mention that to them

 

[Sierra papa tango]

Good to hear – I was worried the flooding would shift your slot around a bit. Glad they've got a list and are ticking things off! I've seen a bit more of Jake than I wanted this month due to some surprises over Christmas but we've also worked through a (quite long ) list and I'm back on the road.

 

[Wayo11]

 

[damocell]

Has the work they have done solved this?

Replaced my CCV recently to stop the hunting but it's still doing it, cleaning my MAF sensor seemed to help quite a bit but it is still doing it for a start for about 10 seconds. Not too worrying, more annoying than anything

Edir - Whoops, reading too quick. Just saw that it is currently in for the work to be done

 

[Wayo11]

Replacing the PCV solved the hunting on start up

 

[damocell]

Replacing the PCV solved the hunting on start up

Edited for stupidity

Is that the one under the inlet manifold? I’ve replaced that one recently but still hunting

 

[Wayo11]

I am not that mechanically strong sorry. I think they said it was in the rocker cover?