$30 insurance for your VANOS unit.

**Tonester** · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:35:14 AM

"TONESTER" VANOS Maintenance

ADDITIONAL HIGH RES PICS - http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=245626

I was thinking since I've replaced all my big ticket items on the high failure rate list... I decided to do a little preventative maintenance to my VANOS unit w/ my recent Inspection 1.

Since VANOS unit are very sensitive to shavings/debris since inside there are a couple solenoids and seals that move at a very high rate of speed to induce oil pressure to advance/retard the cams... any sort debris would cause damage to those seals and/or score a solenoid causing premature failure.

SOOOO....

I took off the "#2 - Solenoid Valve unit" since I noticed the "#7 - Sealing Plate" was seeping a little bit of oil.

I also ordered all the O-rings on the "#3 Pressure Limiting Valve".. I also went ahead and ordered the "#4 - Filter Cartridge" for the Valve. I figure.. its a filter it should also be replaced or at least cleaned out every so often.

When I removed the Pressure Valve... just as I thought, I found quite a bit of metal shavings and debris in the filter, probably from the break-in and debris just built up over time.

Cleaned everything up, put it all back in... it didn't make the car run any better (nothing I can feel).... but I do sleep better at night.

I would recommend anyone/everyone to get theirs replaced and or do it your self, if you think you can tackle the job.. its pretty simple and extra insurance for about $30.

I didn't have my camera with me to take pics of the nasty filter on the limiting valve.. hopefully someone who does theirs in the near future can snap a photo of their filter.

edzilla · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 11:07:20 AM

Yayers

drunk hal · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 02:27:59 PM

nice...how long does this take to complete? any special tools?

Red Baron · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 07:32:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunk hal

nice...how long does this take to complete? any special tools?

....and more detail what needs to be removed.

jmeek83 · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 07:36:36 PM

Agreed. Please post a more thorough DIY. This could potentialy save a lot of people a lot of money.

F2468 · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:19:32 PM

Thank god your local lol

Mr.G3 · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:19:42 PM

+1 - hard to follow just by reading - kudos though for doing that and for the heads up.

**Tonester** · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:24:12 PM

NO special tools needed.

If you feel that your "Sealing Plate" is ok and is not seeping, and you want to JUST change the O-rings/filter cartride on the Pressure valve... All you need is a 22mm wrench.

Remove the Pressure valve (22mm), remove and replace O-rings, remove and replace filter cartridge.

**Tonester** · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:55:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F2468

Thank god your local lol

lol..

I'll add it to your "To Do" list.

Moolala · Sat, Aug-23-2008, 10:25:36 PM

could u post a DIY or something next time?

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:35:14 AM	#1
Tonester Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,171 Reputation: 0 Location: Southern Cali	$30 insurance for your VANOS unit. "TONESTER" VANOS Maintenance ADDITIONAL HIGH RES PICS - http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=245626 I was thinking since I've replaced all my big ticket items on the high failure rate list... I decided to do a little preventative maintenance to my VANOS unit w/ my recent Inspection 1. Since VANOS unit are very sensitive to shavings/debris since inside there are a couple solenoids and seals that move at a very high rate of speed to induce oil pressure to advance/retard the cams... any sort debris would cause damage to those seals and/or score a solenoid causing premature failure. SOOOO.... I took off the "#2 - Solenoid Valve unit" since I noticed the "#7 - Sealing Plate" was seeping a little bit of oil. I also ordered all the O-rings on the "#3 Pressure Limiting Valve".. I also went ahead and ordered the "#4 - Filter Cartridge" for the Valve. I figure.. its a filter it should also be replaced or at least cleaned out every so often. When I removed the Pressure Valve... just as I thought, I found quite a bit of metal shavings and debris in the filter, probably from the break-in and debris just built up over time. Cleaned everything up, put it all back in... it didn't make the car run any better (nothing I can feel).... but I do sleep better at night. I would recommend anyone/everyone to get theirs replaced and or do it your self, if you think you can tackle the job.. its pretty simple and extra insurance for about $30. I didn't have my camera with me to take pics of the nasty filter on the limiting valve.. hopefully someone who does theirs in the near future can snap a photo of their filter. Last edited by Tonester; Sun, Feb-01-2009 at 01:55:34 AM.

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:19:32 PM	#6
F2468 Dry Lake M3 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,059 Reputation: 0 Location: Rosemead	Thank god your local lol __________________ ACS Style front lip, ACS Roof spoiler, Projector Fogs, K&N CAI, Hamann Style Duct Covers Strass Replica CF diffuser with ACS replica diffuser, Vorsteiner GTR SSCF Hood, Smoked Depos+Sidemarkers, 19' Race Gold I-Forged Essens, CF Steering wheel trim, Umnitza Ds2 Xenon w/Predator Angel Eyes, Umnitza Smoked LED Tails, Eibach Sway Bars, DICE Radio Interface Silverline, VCSL Center Console, JVT-R Headers

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 10:25:36 PM	#10
Moolala Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 163 Reputation: 0	could u post a DIY or something next time? __________________

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Sat, Aug-23-2008, 11:07:20 AM	#2
edzilla Never pull out, never surrender. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 799 Reputation: 0 Location: helLA	Yayers __________________

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 02:27:59 PM	#3
drunk hal Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,036 Reputation: 0	nice...how long does this take to complete? any special tools?

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 07:36:36 PM	#5
jmeek83 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 0 Location: Chicago	Agreed. Please post a more thorough DIY. This could potentialy save a lot of people a lot of money.

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:19:42 PM	#7
Mr.G3 Resident User Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 37 Posts: 2,730 Reputation: 0 Location: SEFLa	+1 - hard to follow just by reading - kudos though for doing that and for the heads up. __________________

Sat, Aug-23-2008, 09:24:12 PM	#8
Tonester Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,171 Reputation: 0 Location: Southern Cali	NO special tools needed. If you feel that your "Sealing Plate" is ok and is not seeping, and you want to JUST change the O-rings/filter cartride on the Pressure valve... All you need is a 22mm wrench. Remove the Pressure valve (22mm), remove and replace O-rings, remove and replace filter cartridge.