Vanos unit failure...

[djlogan33]

Vanos unit (BMW part # 11-36-7-838-161), in my 2007 M Coupe has a sticking solenoid valves and has to be replaced.
$3100, plus misc. parts & labor $4300...ouch!!!

A valve inside the unit that controls the exhaust us sticking. The complete unit has to be replaced. My "service engine soon" light would come on then off for some time. I've noticed a mid-range performance decrease for some time.


There were 51,656 S-54 engines in the E46 M3, Z3 M-Coupe and Z4 M Coupe for the US between 2001 & 2008. I wonder how many of them have had Vanos unit failures. My car is the second S-54 engine this year that has had the Vanos unit fail at the place I am getting mine repaired.

[GuidoK]

Sounds expensive to me...
Ridiculous expensive....
Afaik the solenoid block is a seperate piece (about $750).

[NickyC]

Ouch, sorry to hear this. Nightmare scenario for any of us of course. I hope you're back on the road soon.

[ZStig]

what code was the engine throwing?

[djlogan33]

The problem with my Vanos is an exhaust piston is sticking.
From the Internet:
The vanos exhaust piston seals can also fail in their function. There are two piston seals and each is made of a Teflon ring with a backing Viton O-ring. The failure is due to loose seal fit. This seems to be caused by a combination of some Teflon material wear and O-ring compression set (flattening).
The Teflon filler material is Bronze and is correct for this vanos application. Viton comes in variations of materials and some are less susceptible to compression set.
The piston seals problem can be solved by slightly thickening the Teflon rings and using Viton O-rings that are less susceptible to compression set. The "Beisan sourced Viton O-rings" have been shown over time to have excellent compression set characteristics.

The quote also shows:
Preventatively rebuilt factory vanos unit with Beisan Systems, Viton O-Rings, anti-rattle and oil-pump disc.
Replace camshaft bolts

I may be paying more than I have to, but the fact that Enthusiast Auto Group probably has more experience with S-54 engine than anyone locally. Again, they have many, many E46 M3's, Z3 S54 M Coupes and Roadsters and Z4 M Coupes and Roadsters all the time. They have lot of experience in replacing VANOS units. I'm scheduled to go on a long road trip next week with my Z4 M Coupe and having the jobs done right with experienced people is worth a little more $$$ to me...

[GomboRombo]

Djlogan33, how many miles did you have on your s54 when you first started experiencing the symptoms of failure?

[Vanne]

Did u have a look into what Guidok said and did u check dr.vanos?

Id be having a look at thier replacement unit with core refund.. but yeah mate, if time is of most importance. :-D

[bignosejim]

I'd ask for your old vanos unit back. EAG is doing all of the fixes to a "factory unit" that would fix your installed vanos unit. You are spending a lot of money to fix something that could be fixed for < $1,000. I'd make sure you are getting what you paid for. Vanos valve bodies can be cleaned with brake cleaner or ultrasonically to free the valves. A new Beisan solenoid pack would also ensure that the valve has a reliable solenoid to open and close the valve.

Getting your old vanos unit back would give you some spare parts and could help out other forum members that need individual parts.

[NickyC]

After seeing what others have written and researching a bit, $4300 is a complete rip off for just the Vanos unit. Go someplace else.

[Finnegan]

Friend of mine had this happen on her Z3M. 110k miles. 1,400 in parts and labor for the solenoid pack, misc parts, labor. All nicely buttoned up and has several track days since. I think that quote is a tad high.

[seank]

I had mine replaced, luckily under the extended warranty at 40,000 miles.

[BruceJ]

IMHO that price is within normal range, "if you are paying someone else to replace the entire VANOS."

While its a little late to be saying this cause your first post speaks of taking it to a mechanic; if you are mechanically inclined there is quite a bit of info on troubleshooting and repair of the VANOS. I.E. - suspected intake solenoid problem, swap them out and see if the problem follows it over to the exhaust when you run codes.

I know you weren't bitchin about it, but overall, the VANOS "cost to repair" is typical of BMW. Not cheap if you pay someone else or almost reasonable if you DIY. I rebuilt VANOS pistons on my 330i and it was under $100. If I had taken it to a mech he/she would replace the whole thing and in the process delete about $3,000 of my wallet. The DIY support was awesome. Same goes for your S-54 engine.

Good Luck on the next one.
Bruce

[StickMon]

I still think that's steep.
Even ECS only wants $2679.75 for a rebuilt.
I would suggest the OP buy a Dr. V rebuilt for $1350 and hand it to the shop, or at least use that as a haggle point.
Sounds like the OP probably has piston seal leaks, so just the valve block and/or solenoid pack isn't going to cut it.
I know my piston seals were pretty well spent at 120k miles. Not sure what the OP's mileage is.

Edit: Which reminds me. The reason I replaced my Vanos is that it had a good run and I had to remove it anyways to replace the upper timing chain guide.
If you're over 100k miles on the original timing chain guide, I guarantee it's shot.

[Vanne]

Sticky, whats the upper timing chain guide go for, and i may have to set some cash aside for a dr.vanos unit as i am well over 130k miles now mate

[StickMon]

It's dirt cheap. Like 15 bucks.
Replacing it is a major faff.

[mtnbkr]

I recently had my upper timing chain guide replaced at the same time as the exhaust hub and cam bolts (57k miles). The guide was worn with a few mm of material left. Hub was surprisingly in pristine condition but I had it swapped anyways with a C300 hub. The cam bolts were swapped too even though none were sheared off.

[StickMon]

Good call.
I think all of these components were designed on a Friday after a long lunch.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Good call.
I think all of these components were designed on a Friday after a long lunch.

That seems to be the only time BMW designs their components these days.

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by mtnbkr

I recently had my upper timing chain guide replaced at the same time as the exhaust hub and cam bolts (57k miles). The guide was worn with a few mm of material left. Hub was surprisingly in pristine condition but I had it swapped anyways with a C300 hub. The cam bolts were swapped too even though none were sheared off.

Did you also replace the pump disc? I think the exhaust hub tabs are susceptible to breaking due to the clearance between them and the holes in the pump disc. Getting a modified pump disc prevents that from happening.

[mtnbkr]

No I didn't. From what I read, the modified pump discs have smaller holes drilled into them to fit the tabs on the oem hubs better.

The C300 hub has completely new tabs made with a harder material. Those new tabs are oversized to fit the oem pump discs better, reducing the play between them.

[StickMon]

^WHS
When I installed the Dr. V rebuilt Vanos, which comes with the new holes, I had to make sure to use the stock holes.
It was easy to see which were the stock holes, because the previous owner must have broken both tabs.

[djlogan33]

Originally Posted by GomboRombo

Djlogan33, how many miles did you have on your s54 when you first started experiencing the symptoms of failure?

Had about 50,000 miles when I first start seeing the warning.