Z4M Vanos

[sharif]

Evening all,

My 2006 MC has recently just ticked over 79,000 miles. I had the rod bearings replaced about 2,000 miles ago as preventative maintenance.

I am trying to ensure that the car is mechanically sound and whilst the vanos may not require upgrading now, I'd like to get it done now for peace of mind.

I note that a number of companies offer upgrade services and I just wanted to get feedback from anyone that has had their vanos upgraded and where is recommended to get this done.

I'm based in North London but am happy to travel a few hours if required.

A list of companies I've researched that are able to do this are as follows:-

Mr Vanos - He also advised he would replace the timing chain at the same time (although no other companies I have contacted have proposed to do this). Is the timing chain necessary to replace?

CPCPE

Redish

Hack Engineering

Everything M3s

I've read mixed reviews regarding the first three of the above list but very positive reviews for the others.

I have also read that upgrading with Beisan components is highly recommended so will most likely go for that.

I would be grateful to hear of any forum members experiences in having their Vanos rebuilt, whether they replaced the timing chain and which company to go for.

Many thanks

 

[GuidoK]

I think you should make a list of the specific problems the s54 vanos can have and see if those companies address all those problems specifically.
Because "vanos upgrade" and "vanos rebuild" are pretty generic if they don't specifically say what they're gonna do.

So without being an expert on the s54 vanos, these things pop into my mind to address (that is: inspect, and if broken, replace, and potentially upgrade with other parts):

1. check vanos oil pump hub on broken tabs; maybe replace pump disc for aftermarket one with smaller holes (less play), or replace vanos hub for one with stronger tabs (if there is a broken tab, it's hard to miss when the vanos is taken off :lol: )
2. check/replace vanos sprocket bolts.
3. check/replace left upper chain guide
4. obviously change all the seals/orings. I assume they do everything including the pressure regulator&restrictor.

Maybe others have more ideas that they can add to this list.

I assume that the shops above are all familiar with these problems, but sometimes shops have the attitude that they only do what they initially offered and are paid for (so service a was offered but service b is required)

 

[sharif]

Many thanks for the above.

I have received the following spec from Hack Engineering:-

Beisan Systems BS021 S54 Vanos Seals Repair Kit
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Rattle Repair Kit (BS022)
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Rebuilt Solenoid Coil Pack (BS023)
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Sealing Plate Repair Kit (BS024)
S54 Vanos Oil Pump Disc Machining
Beisan Systems S54 Exhaust Upper Chain Guide
Updated Cam Sprocket Sleeve Bolts (S54) (07129905536)
Cam Sprocket Hub Bolts (S54) (07119913589)
Updated Vanos Solenoid Pack Securing Bolts (S54) (07129905554/37)
S54 Vanos Microfilter (11361401971)
Elring Vanos Gasket - steel (S54)
Rocker Cover Stud Grommets (S54) (11121437395)Rocker Cover Oil Drain Pipe Crush Washers (S54)(07119963129)
Vanos Oil Accumulator Pipe Crush Washers (07119963072)
Crankshaft Chain Tensioner Oil Seal (most BMW inc S14, S50, S54) (07119963418)
Sealing ring ( 07119963342)
Ultrasonic parts cleaning

I did also just speak with Everything M3s who are going to send a proposal over shortly.

I will keep this updated on how I get on.

 

[Z4FouruM]

I would highly recommend Redish having used them for a large project on my convertible in November. Their attention to detail is second-to-none and customer experience is really excellent with full video diaries of all the work that is being carried out. They know the S54 inside out. I had my rod bearings done in November and alongside a routine service they will investigate a slight oil leak around my vanos for me later this year which potentially needs servicing anyway.

 

[TomK]

I'm very much in the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' camp. You'd be pretty unlucky to cause serious damage if it does fail, and usually (sheared bolts perhaps) aside you'll start to hear it go. I just test mine in inpa every once in a while.
Your choice of course! I'm sure any of those you have mentioned can rebuild it, it's not the most difficult of DIYs should you chose to do it yourself.

 

[abar121]

I'm very much in the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' camp. You'd be pretty unlucky to cause serious damage if it does fail, and usually (sheared bolts perhaps) aside you'll start to hear it go. I just test mine in inpa every once in a while.
Your choice of course! I'm sure any of those you have mentioned can rebuild it, it's not the most difficult of DIYs should you chose to do it yourself.

Exactly. I also ran the INPA vanos tests a few years ago, everything was great.

 

[XMetal]

Many thanks for the above.

I have received the following spec from Hack Engineering:-

Beisan Systems BS021 S54 Vanos Seals Repair Kit
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Rattle Repair Kit (BS022)
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Rebuilt Solenoid Coil Pack (BS023)
Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Sealing Plate Repair Kit (BS024)
S54 Vanos Oil Pump Disc Machining
Beisan Systems S54 Exhaust Upper Chain Guide
Updated Cam Sprocket Sleeve Bolts (S54) (07129905536)
Cam Sprocket Hub Bolts (S54) (07119913589)
Updated Vanos Solenoid Pack Securing Bolts (S54) (07129905554/37)
S54 Vanos Microfilter (11361401971)
Elring Vanos Gasket - steel (S54)
Rocker Cover Stud Grommets (S54) (11121437395)Rocker Cover Oil Drain Pipe Crush Washers (S54)(07119963129)
Vanos Oil Accumulator Pipe Crush Washers (07119963072)
Crankshaft Chain Tensioner Oil Seal (most BMW inc S14, S50, S54) (07119963418)
Sealing ring ( 07119963342)
Ultrasonic parts cleaning

I did also just speak with Everything M3s who are going to send a proposal over shortly.

I will keep this updated on how I get on.

I did everything above except the "Beisan Systems S54 Vanos Rebuilt Solenoid Coil Pack (BS023)", which can be replaced when it fails since you can access it pretty easily. The engine is as smooth and quiet as a sewing machine now - no more "marble in a can" rattles at around 2.8k RPM!

I'm very much in the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' camp. You'd be pretty unlucky to cause serious damage if it does fail, and usually (sheared bolts perhaps) aside you'll start to hear it go. I just test mine in inpa every once in a while.
Your choice of course! I'm sure any of those you have mentioned can rebuild it, it's not the most difficult of DIYs should you chose to do it yourself.

INPA can't detect if you got 1 broken tab and/or if the 2nd tab is about to break. INPA can't detect if you got a Upper Chain Guide tip that's about to break off and could get dislodge into unwanted places at the very best. My Exhaust Upper Chain Guide had rubbed through and is about to break at about 46k miles. While I do agree, to some degree, that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', I usually applies that mantra only to things that won't end catastrophically if it does break.

 

[philipw]

I have to agree with TomK, after getting it done on mine, I found out that it was unnecessary. Redish rebuilt the Vanos last year with the car on 100K for preventative maintenance, it had no detrimental symptoms at the time. Did everything barring the solenoid as it was fine and is a simple bolt on/off job should it fail.

I have all of the parts that were replaced, seals were flattened as is to be expected but they had not failed. All of the tabs/cam bolts were fine but were replaced along with the resized oil pump disc as preventative maintenance. No damage to the plastic tensioner except for a visible mark where the chain made contact but replaced it with the ABS variant as it was cheap to do.

After the work, I could not detect a change in engine noise at tick over but certainly wasn't any louder and I think the engine is more responsive below 3K but not a massive difference. I guess the above means that some cars wear the Vanos system greater than others. I just wanted peace of mind so got it done.

 

[TomK]

While I do agree, to some degree, that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', I usually applies that mantra only to things that won't end catastrophically if it does break.

Likewise, which is why I'm about to have my rod bearings done for the 2nd time in my ownership.
I'm all for learning, can you point me to a documented case of where Vanos failure has caused an s54 to grenade?
FWIW my car has around 80k miles, 30k or so on track maybe. Sounds the same as when I got it :?

 

[GuidoK]

I'm very much in the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' camp. You'd be pretty unlucky to cause serious damage if it does fail, and usually (sheared bolts perhaps) aside you'll start to hear it go. I just test mine in inpa every once in a while.

I know of one person that had a broken vanos hub tab once. Didn't hear a thing, never drove the car hard. Was discovered during a vanos service.
How can you diagnose such an issue with inpa?
I also know of people with sheared and worn chain sprocket bolts. Also never noticed a thing.
These are known issues. point is, it's not easily detected or known when it happens. It's just one of those things. Maybe aftermarket parts really do address the issue (this is sometimes very difficult to proove) and just hope for the best

I also assume the cylinder head cover goes off. Maybe a good time to also check the valve clearance and check the camshaft and followers for wear.
Maybe ad that service to the list?

 

[TomK]

I'm very much in the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' camp. You'd be pretty unlucky to cause serious damage if it does fail, and usually (sheared bolts perhaps) aside you'll start to hear it go. I just test mine in inpa every once in a while.

I know of one person that had a broken vanos hub tab once. Didn't hear a thing, never drove the car hard. Was discovered during a vanos service.
How can you diagnose such an issue with inpa?

I'm not saying that you can. Did it damage his engine?

 

[TomK]

I also assume the cylinder head cover goes off. Maybe a good time to also check the valve clearance and check the camshaft and followers for wear.

Indeed it does, it's fairly easy to inspect the tabs when doing the valve clearances

 

[BMWZ4MC]

While I do agree, to some degree, that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', I usually applies that mantra only to things that won't end catastrophically if it does break.

Likewise, which is why I'm about to have my rod bearings done for the 2nd time in my ownership.
I'm all for learning, can you point me to a documented case of where Vanos failure has caused an s54 to grenade?
FWIW my car has around 80k miles, 30k or so on track maybe. Sounds the same as when I got it :?

Tom, I’ll be very interested to know the condition of your bearing shells. Mine has covered similar miles both in total and on track. I changed mine last at 50k and the originals were in very good condition. However, my ratio of track to road miles has increased since then.
I’ve not serviced the vanos and I’ve not noticed any abnormal noises or change in the way it drives.

 

[GuidoK]

I'm not saying that you can. Did it damage his engine?

No that broken tap just sat in the corresponding hole of the oil pump disc. The picture he showed (on another forum) sadly isn't online anymore (it has been a while)
Luckily it also didnt fall into the sump while taking off. So kudos for that mechanic.
BTW he had his vanos refurbished because a friend of his with a z4m showed him this pic:

 

[TomK]

No that broken tap just sat in the corresponding hole of the oil pump disc. The picture he showed (on another forum) sadly isn't online anymore (it has been a while)
Luckily it also didnt fall into the sump while taking off. So kudos for that mechanic.
BTW he had his vanos refurbished because a friend of his with a z4m showed him this pic:

I'd agree checking the bolts is probably not a bad idea, but did that guy's engine survive?
I'm not sure but I think pre 2007 z4m s54 used a different kind of bolt, it was superseded with a torx head style, obviosuly I can't tell from that phot which type those are.

There are 6 per cam and if they fail then the engine would be destroyed.

I'm not really sure that statement is true, but then he does want to sell his services!

Tom, I’ll be very interested to know the condition of your bearing shells.

Yes, me too, I'll post them up when they're done, I think I'll get them done this winter.

 

[GuidoK]

but did that guy's engine survive?

yes

I'm not sure but I think pre 2007 z4m s54 used a different kind of bolt, it was superseded with a torx head style, obviosuly I can't tell from that phot which type those are.

The parts catalog says indeed there are a few types used (the part has predecessors). But I think they were all torx bolts fitted in the z4m and that only the m3 recieved allen heads.
The only thing I can see is that the previous type was 2mm shorter. It's not really clear if any were fitted in the z4m; the latest version was used from 4-2006 upwards according to the parts catalog, but old stock might have been present.
BTW the snapping of the bolts is I think not an part issue, but probably more a fitting issue.
I can't find the exact procedure of fitting those bolts in TIS. Beisan etc specifically says to thoroughly clean with brake cleaner and apply locktite.
That might be different from factory.
The bolts wear because they come loose and the hub they hold in place starts to rattle against the side of the bolts, slowly eating its way through them.

 

[sharif]

Morning all,

Just thought I'd update this.

I emailed CPCPE 3 times and followed each email with a call and never heard back from them.

Redish were very helpful on the phone but they had a long wait list.

Hack Engineering advised they would need the car for a few days and that ruled them out for me (all other companies I contacted could complete the works within a day).

Most of the companies I spoke with advised the timing chain would not need to be done at this mileage (79k) so I won't be getting this done imminently.

I ended up booking the car in with Everything M3's for the end of the month. Darragh is an ex F1 mechanic and from my conversations with him, I know the car will be in good hands!

I'll update this once the works have been completed with my thoughts.

 

[sharif]

Evening all,

Just thought I'd update this as I had the work completed by Everything M3's on Saturday.

I had a great experience with them and would highly recommend them.

I dropped the car off at 9am and shortly after Darragh sent me a video of the car and also pointed out that my CPV and diff seal were leaking (which he subsequently replaced).

The vanos overhaul consisted of the following:

- Beisan seals kit
- Beisan anti-rattle kit
- Beisan sealing plate kit
- Beisan upper chain guide rail
- Updated cam bolts
- Updated hub springs
- Rebuilt solenoid
- New gaskets

In addition to the above, Darragh also replaced my pre cat Lambda sensors and retro fitted cruise control.

My initial impression from getting the car back is that the car feels so much better to drive and the power delivery has improved massively - it feels like the car pulls alot harder.

Whilst I was not experiencing any of the symptoms that my Vanos was on its way out, I am glad I got the work carried out.

 

[MichaelK]

This thread made interesting reading for me. I get a strange noise from my z4m recently.
If I accelerate to 3.5k revs as I let off to change gear theres a quiet vibration kind of noise. I'm now wondering if this is vanos related, especially with the car being on 103k miles.

 

[Stu Boy]

I had a rattle on my car, If you were around 3k rpm and just feathering the throttle it was quite obvious, if you rolled off or accelerated it would disappear. So I had my vanos overhauled, new seals, modified oil pump disc (holes are slightly smaller) cam chain guide and some other parts all replaced when I had my Insp 1 service last year. It’s now super smooth and the rattle is gone. I think if you end up breaking the drive tabs for the oil pump disc that is quite an expensive part to replace so probably worth doing as preventative maintenance before it breaks. All this was carried out by ETA Motorsport just up the road from Brands Hatch, they certainly know the S54 engine and I would definitely recommend them.