VANOS unit remove

I

incubus

Member
HI All,

I’m planning to rebuild my VANOS, however I am struggling with the removal of the unit. Went trough a lot threads and post (mainly e46 which is far easier than our E85) and I can’t decide what/how to do and asking for some advice.

I’ve read multiply method e.g. engine lifting, cutting the bolt, but can’t find videos and DIY’s and some equipment are missing also (proper lifting machine) and I would like to stay away from bolt cutting as well.

I am wondering how did you do it? The only way what I read and seems acceptable is to loosen the crossbar (I am not English myself, maybe that’s not the accurate term, the metal thing cross at the front of the engine) somehow (on the righthand side-couple of bolts), then gently pull it forward with a prybar. Is this can be done ( obviously it needs some help from someone, can’t do it alone) ? Or are there different methods?

Thanks in advance,
Incubus
 
I unbolted both engine mountings and jacked the engine up a couple of inches from the oil pan. There’s plenty of movement on the hoses and wiring to allow this and I did not remove the radiator either. The bolt then clears the front panel easily.
 
incubus said:
Thanks Behr,

Did you use something to even the pressure to the pan? E.g. a piece of wood or something?
Click to expand...

Yes. I used a rubber jack pad but a piece of wood with some padding would be just as effective.

The mount nuts are surprisingly easy to get to with extension bars. Once I let the jack down they lined back up without any issues. I was expecting to have to use a pry bar or a drift to centre them up, but they just popped back in evenly. It really was much easier than I anticipated. The rest of the VANOS rebuild is also quite straightforward using the guides available.
 
Behr said:
incubus said:
Thanks Behr,

Did you use something to even the pressure to the pan? E.g. a piece of wood or something?
Click to expand...

Yes. I used a rubber jack pad but a piece of wood with some padding would be just as effective.

The mount nuts are surprisingly easy to get to with extension bars. Once I let the jack down they lined back up without any issues. I was expecting to have to use a pry bar or a drift to centre them up, but they just popped back in evenly. It really was much easier than I anticipated. The rest of the VANOS rebuild is also quite straightforward using the guides available.
Click to expand...

Thanks Behr,

What were your steps? Did you unbolt the VANOS before the jack up, or after?

I have checked mine, and there's no way to remove the bolts from the vanos unit, my hands barely fit to that place, the wrench is thicker :(

So I am planning to do as follow:

1. Remove the gasket cover
2. Jack up the car to stands (need to do, the lifter doesnt fit)
3. Jack up the motor
4. Unbolt and remove VANOS unit

I am afraid a bit, I dont want to have an inpact on my motor while its jacked up, If I do, it might not line perfectly with the mounts after I start to lower the motor. Thats why I am courious, how did you do,

Thanks
 
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