vanos noise

V

Viren

Member
So I had a noisy vanos and thought I'd get this looked at.

I went to technosport, spoke with George who seems like a great guy. He kept the car for a few days and could not figure out what the noise was and wanted to do a vanos swap to see if it was the vanos. Given the cost of this I thought I'd take it to Phil at CPC for a second opinion, within 2 mins of listening he told me it was nothing but a noisy vanos gear!

I ended up getting Phil to do full vanos refurbish with the following parts;

Vanos Seals (Besian)
Anti rattle kit (Besian)
Phil repaired the Solenoid coil pack, the same way Besian would
Hack engineering drilled smaller holes in my oil pump disc (again to the same specs as Besian)
Replace all 12 vanos cam bolts (he did mention that the existing bolts were all tight)

I'm trying to get some pics from him which he took but as most of you he's quite a difficult man to get hold of.

Have to say his work is fantastic and the car is definitely quieter and smoother and feels nicer to drive. At the same time he replaced by RTAB with Rogue engineering limiter kit and that has made a big difference to handling (especially with a custom alignment).

Would defo recommend Phil to anyone looking to do vanos work or antything else (also Hack engineering can provide the Besian parts and they are located in the UK which helps!)
 
CPC are located in Amersham http://www.cpcpe.com

Be patient when trying to get hold of Phil it can take a little while. When you do get hold of him he will give you his time.

IIRC labour alone (as I sourced all the parts myself) was in the region of 900 (vanos refurb, solenoid repair and RTAB). I think the RTAB alone cost around 150-200 so 700 for the Vanos.
 
I've been quoted £2500 for vanos replacement at BMW dealers cos they reckon the ticking noise i've got is resonating from it through to the mid engine area. Aye right\!
 
Expensive job the BMW trial and error method.

I'm going to get them to have a listen to mine when it's in. Thankfully mine has a warranty so if they want to change the vanos then they can change away.
 
Izice, I use Phil for all the work on my ///M. I'd thoroughly recommend him if you're in the SE East. He'll tell you straight away if your VANOS is noisy or not (it's commonly blamed for all sorts of problems that are completely unrelated but not understood by people unfamiliar with the S54).
 
DPG said:
Expensive job the BMW trial and error method.

I'm going to get them to have a listen to mine when it's in. Thankfully mine has a warranty so if they want to change the vanos then they can change away.
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^^
I've never known a BMW tech say anything other than "it's definitely the VANOS, it'll need changing, it's 2 grand odd" - I was worried with my old E36 when I went round to four dealers and got a BMW tech out of hours via a mate (he even did the 4th gear up a hill from low revs test - as if he was searching for a clutch problem - and still proudly declared it was the VANOS). My indy (was his first job for me) eventually diagnosed a faulty/failing/failed water pump, also did Insp II, re-shimmed and the engine was so much quieter after, I wondered whether he'd just dropped a new engine in! The car was on about 70k so I suppose the VANOS was a legitimate concern but still....

As you say, DPG, expensive method these BMW lads follow - albeit their system is to lift as much from your wallet as they can. "New car might be cheaper, sir". Definitely get the new VANOS on their account I say. :thumbsup: Don't ask; tell them its the VANOS!

Stevo
 
BMWZ4MC said:
Izice, I use Phil for all the work on my ///M. I'd thoroughly recommend him if you're in the SE East. He'll tell you straight away if your VANOS is noisy or not (it's commonly blamed for all sorts of problems that are completely unrelated but not understood by people unfamiliar with the S54).
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Exactly this.

Phil actually told me not to worry but being a pedantic owner I asked him to refurbish the vanos! Has defo made things much quieter with all the besian parts.
 
This i might have the same problem, took it to George at technosport to get an opinion and he didn't seem to think there was a problem. Looks like i'll have to take it to these guys for a second opinion
 
Does no one use Mr Vanos at all? He sorted a Z3MR for a friend of mine a few years back. http://www.mrvanos.com/

As an aside, Minihen_LDN, I'm in Enfield and I've noticed (heard it first, then saw it!) a silver Z4MR a couple of times recently around Willow Rd, I'm going to guess that must've been you?
 
markos said:
Does no one use Mr Vanos at all? He sorted a Z3MR for a friend of mine a few years back. http://www.mrvanos.com/

As an aside, Minihen_LDN, I'm in Enfield and I've noticed (heard it first, then saw it!) a silver Z4MR a couple of times recently around Willow Rd, I'm going to guess that must've been you?
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Yup that's me mate, there's a black coupe down the road from me on chase side where the church is.

Isn't mrvanos and american site?

Just an off chance does anyone know where i can have it done? Or should i stick with technosport?
 
I know that Z4MC but that's not mine, I'm off Willow Rd, I'll honk the horn if I see you when I'm out in mine! Dr Vanos is in the US, Mr Vanos is UK based and travels the whole country. I think with the personal recommendations of Phil/CPC I'd aim to make an appointment with them :thumbsup:
 
markos said:
I know that Z4MC but that's not mine, I'm off Willow Rd, I'll honk the horn if I see you when I'm out in mine! Dr Vanos is in the US, Mr Vanos is UK based and travels the whole country. I think with the personal recommendations of Phil/CPC I'd aim to make an appointment with them :thumbsup:
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Didn't think it was you as it still has the standard wheels. Yeah please do, i live on rendlesham road.
Thanks markos :thumbsup: will give them a shout and get it booked in asap, it only started a couple of weeks ago after my inspcection I service.
 
Just been to see Phill at CPC, he had a listen and straight away said the vanos was on the loud side. Anywho, car's booked in for monday and will be staying with him for 2 days.
Will update you guys when it's done.
 
DPG said:
Expensive job the BMW trial and error method.

I'm going to get them to have a listen to mine when it's in. Thankfully mine has a warranty so if they want to change the vanos then they can change away.
Click to expand...

Itried this angle and put it to service manager.

If i was to get a comprehensive warranty would you rerplace my Vanos?

The answer is they would only replace the vanos if the part completely failed.....so no was my answer in my case.
 
Minihen_LDN said:
Just been to see Phill at CPC, he had a listen and straight away said the vanos was on the loud side. Anywho, car's booked in for monday and will be staying with him for 2 days.
Will update you guys when it's done.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're in good hands mate... Keep us posted on cost and if the car feels/sounds different afterwards :thumbsup:
 
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