[scotskig]

hi all I just joined the forum today....
i have just bought an evo m3 and im pretty sure the vanos is nacked..
i never knew what to look for but now i have been reading up on it, it seems to be..... what are the main symptoms, is it safe to drive, where do i buy one and how much, any special tools reguired to change it.
i have the 3.2 dual vanos and its a 1996....
please help

 

[mboon]

your looking at over a grand to repair my friend, I wouldnt bother with a dealer as they will double that then add labour to it.

Find a good indy who knows what there talking about and get it in there mate. Did you buy the car cheap kind of knowing something was up?

Not sure about using it etc as I dont own one but someone will help you mate. The vanos strikes again

 

[Ian S]

Is it just noisy?

Replacement units are available quite cheaply from here http://www.drvanos.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=3&Itemid=4

 

[scotskig]

Ye Vanos strikes again for sure....
Eh ye it is noisey but i have also noticed that when you nail it through the box it seems a tad flat then between 3 and 4K it just takes off.
i was under the impression that it was slow or shall i say underpowered but i had a race with one o my mates and he has chipped s4 and i had him so maybe everything is working sound

 

[BM T]

Hi it may not be for the same engine but have look at this

I'm in the same boat with single Vanos retart position.

http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/vanos_procedure.htm

 

[steve_nurburgring]

correct me if i am wrong but i am sure that the special tools required for the job are only available at a bmw dealer as they will not sell the tools to the trade.
i live near a good indy and they send the m3 evo's to the dealer as they cant do it.
the price is around £2400 for a new vanos unit and labour. this is why i didnt buy an evo m3.

 

[BM T]

this is what that tool kit consist of

it's worth doing yourself plus with the VANOS locked there error for timing issuse

 

[Ian S]

Right, firstly I wouldn't worry about being on the receiving end of a £2500 repair bill.

Unless the rattling causes the bolts to snap and you lose all your oil, the worse case scenario is that you need to buy a reconditioned unit from Dr Vanos. Whilst the initial outlay is high after you have returned your old unit it should have cost you £300-350 for the unit. You should then be able to get a BMW specialist to fit it for you. I have heard prices for fitting vary between £300-500. Unfortunately I do not know any specialists up your way. Many people with minor vanos issues are now going down this route instead of messing about swapping out solenoids etc.

It might be worth taking the car to a decent independent to verify that the vanos is noisy and see what they recommend. A diagnostic might also be useful to make sure that there is no mechanical jamming or sticking solenoid errors.

You could even have a go at servicing it yourself using the following guide : http://mukerji.co.uk/category/vanos/ What grade of oil are you using? Changing the vanos filter and your oil to ensure you are using the correct viscosity might also quieten it down.

If you have a look at this poll on Pistonheads, it shows how many people have actually reported a complete vanos failure. http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/...suffered a Vanos failure on E36 M3 EVO?&mid=0

 

[beastofackworth]

i still cant believe how many people are still scared to death of a few vanos noises.i bought my m3 evo 2 1/2 years ago and at first service(took it to an indy to checkover a month after i bought it) they said the vanos unit was grumbling.i took it to bmw who said it needed the lot replacing,vanos unit/gears/chain/tensioners at about £3000!2 1/2 years and 22000 miles later the unit still works perfectly,makes no more noise than it did(slight tick under 2500rpm when coasting),still performs perfectly.way i see it,a vanos unit is a mechanical unit,mechanical units with moving parts make noises,they cant be fully quiet,its impossible.

to the op:i would have it checked out but aslong as its got plenty of oil in and the unit isnt leaking i would think its ok while you can get it checked just watch out for your low oil light coming on as if a cover bolt goes you can spit all 6 litres of oil out in about a minute

 

[mboon]

correct me if i am wrong but i am sure that the special tools required for the job are only available at a bmw dealer as they will not sell the tools to the trade.
i live near a good indy and they send the m3 evo's to the dealer as they cant do it.
the price is around £2400 for a new vanos unit and labour. this is why i didnt buy an evo m3.

Snap

 

[Ronnie]

this is what that tool kit consist of

it's worth doing yourself plus with the VANOS locked there error for timing issuse

That kit isn't for the M3 3.2, the 3.2 engine is a S50 B32.

Vanos/cam timing is shown here http://www.drvanos.com/docs/euro32install.pdf

 

[RYM]

Have a read here:thumbsup

Philthepower

Bimmer Fan
Philthepower's Car Specifications

Philthepower's Car Specifications Make of Car: BMW Model of Car: M3 Evolution Year of Vehicle: 1998 Transmission Type: Manual Car Body Type: Saloon


Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Stockport
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts

Vanos Rebuild
I had 2 Vanos units to choose from. It turned out the younger and better condition Vanos unit was the one from my second doner engine, even though I was unsure of the mileage. I basically just stripped it down and changed every single seal I was able to.

I wanted to be able to sell the other unit as a working unit, but even though it passed a vanos test just before the engine failed, the exhaust solenoids were damaged. So I put the younger solenoids from the unit I was using into this one, and forked out ~£230 on these...

First a picture of the unit before starting...

Everything removed...

Cleaned up...

New solenoids fitted with new seals and bolts...

Completed unit with all new seals, bolts and a new Vanos filter...

​

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#20

04-27-2009, 02:23
Philthepower

Bimmer Fan
Philthepower's Car Specifications

Philthepower's Car Specifications Make of Car: BMW Model of Car: M3 Evolution Year of Vehicle: 1998 Transmission Type: Manual Car Body Type: Saloon


Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Stockport
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts

Completing Engine
Next was just a case of finishing the engine by fitting the Vanos gears and unit and timing the engine up.

I have to say unless your a competant mechanic with the proper repair instructions, I wouldn't even attempt to mess with the Vanos in the way I have. Timing this engine up is probably one of the most confusing things i've ever done as a mechanic. The BMW reapir instructions are not very clear...at all, and I think I ended up timing it up 6 times in total until I was happy!

 

[BM T]

That kit isn't for the M3 3.2, the 3.2 engine is a S50 B32.

Vanos/cam timing is shown here http://www.drvanos.com/docs/euro32install.pdf

Sorry Guy's my mistake.