s50b32 engine vanos

[moggie]

hi guys,got my conversion finished and i noticed that when the revs are droping back to idle there is a slight noise from the twin vanos,it runs perfect and is very quick,idles spot on too.i am thinking of getting a refurbed vanos just to be on the safe side does anyone recomend anyone.[mr vanos]?

[DanThe]

They make noise anyway so dont be alarmed.

Check for leaks around the solenoid covers, the solenoids themselves can move about and leak inside the housings

Usually the exhaust side that goes first -

[moggie]

just checked,there is a little bit of oil on top of the right hand side solenoid housing that wasnt there yesterday because i cleaned it all up

[DanThe]

If the seals have not been changed with upgraded bolts in the past its a job that needs doing, if they let go it can be nasty

[moggie]

im going to get a refurbed vanos,has anyone heard of mr vanos basesd in the uk ?

[DanThe]

im going to get a refurbed vanos,has anyone heard of mr vanos basesd in the uk ?

Yes, North East based, for a refurbed unit fitted its about £800

[moggie]

i think il go for that,do they have a good reputation?

[DanThe]

Ive only ever read good things, apparently the gears are machined slightly to reduce noise

[jonnie]

The evo vanos is one of the most overhyped internet problems. They all make noise one way or another. The main thing to worry about is if the car is producing good power and if its timed up correctly. If you say it's running spot on and is quick, then do not go wasting £800.

As Dan says do the bolts and the seals and close your bonnet and never worry again!

[moggie]

are the bolts and seals an easy diy job?and were would be the best place to get them.i want to get them done straight away to put the mind at ease.thanks for all your help fellas all the info ive got from e30 zone as been spot on!

[moggie]

found a company called iridium on the web and the seal and bolt kit is £57.00 so il get that i think,it comes with fitting instructions so i might have a go myself,what can go wrong ha ha!

[DanThe]

I have seal kits for sale

[moggie]

i wish id read this earlier iv bought them now,typical

[DanThe]

Pretty picture =

[jaistanley]

Oooooh..

Dan. I need to do my outer seals very soon.. My VANOS is nigh on silent but it is weeping oil around all of the external seals. What do you think I will need, and do you sell it?

Regards,

Jai

[DanThe]

The oil will be leaking from the solenoid seals, you need the above kit and the solenoid cover gaskets, the gaskets are dealer only and £12 odd, I can supply these at cost or you can get them yourself.

pm sent

[Dave_M3]

Can you send me a pm on the seal lit in the pic too Dan, Are the bolts part of the kit or are they dealer only too?

Don't have any troublesome vanos at the momemt but good to have a source for when people are about to have a heart attack if they are making noise or leaking abit and owners think it'll all be fine until it gets worse

[DanThe]

Everything in the pic is what you get, the bolts are 12.9 BMW will supply you 10.9 so they are slightly better. Seals are made from Viton which is the best material available, BMW supply you with standard low quality rubber O rings at a massive mark up. The internal seals are Nitrile which is the next grade down from Viton, you wouldnt want to be messing with these anyway as its a strip down/timing job, best to leave it to the specialists.

Generally you should be replacing the solenoid seals anyway, as they are low grade rubber they are destined to fail and will start to leak sooner or later.

[Dave_M3]

Yep, had to replace the solenoid seals on one or two already. One of them was on one with b30 vanos unit that pissed oil out of them on the rolling road


Any idea what the S54 units are like for failing and are the seals and the bolts the same.

[UweM3]

I am a little bit confused. which seals can I replace without getting into timing issues?

@DanThe would you be able to supply a "small kit" for this?

[DanThe]

Pretty much everything in this picture can be changed without removing/disturbing the unit/timing



99% of vanos problems are due to the seals, the solenoid cover bolts can stretch also

The above kit is £40 posted to zoners

[jaistanley]

Excellent Dan.. Thanks for the PM.

A friend of mine has a B30 with a slightly tired VANOS unit also so I will ask him if he wants one too before I go ahead and order one from you, consider at least one for me sold though dude....

My car is off the road waiting for me to do a few bits and bobs and get an MOT so this is the perfect time to get that annoying oil weep sorted before it becomes a bigger issue!

Jai

[Dave_M3]

£40 for all that is cheap

The few solenoid seals alone from BMW here aren't too far off that price!!!

[UweM3]

going to have a look at my VANOS and see what type of bolts are used. But I am tempted to buy the kit regardless.

[DanThe]

Rumour has it only the early vanos units had 8.8 bolts, these were shite and stretched leaving a trail of destruction. The later units were built with 10.9's

[Dave_M3]

Hardly makes any odds though when there's 12.9s availible