another successfully VANOS repair

[sabbos1]

Wow, those instructions from Beisan systems are the greatest! I took the day off yesterday, fed the kids and dropped them off at school, spread fertilizer on the lawn, voted (1 1/2 hours), and then spent around 7 hours replacing the VANOS seals and the thermostat. That time includes a couple of trips to buy tools - like the 32 mm wrench used to remove the fan - sells at Sears for about $1/mm!! No real glitches exept I dropped a rubber washer/seal down the bore for the coil and it got stuck on a spark plug - that took at least 30 minutes to fish out! But the car started right up without any hiccups and I can definitely see an improvement in low-end torque - able to drop below 2000 rpm without jerking. The irratic reving is gone as well.

If anyone on the NE side of Indianapolis is considering this repair, I would be glad to spend a little time getting you started.

As a side note, I can't find my Peake tool - have this bad feeling that I left it on the roof or under the hood last Saturday and it is out on a road somewhere in little pieces:(

Steve

[PJB]

Congratulations. Be sure to sign up for Rajae's VANOS forums and report your experience now and also in 1,000 miles, the data point is useful.

[sabbos1]

Congratulations. Be sure to sign up for Rajae's VANOS forums and report your experience now and also in 1,000 miles, the data point is useful.
I left a note on Rajae's forum last night - the trick will be to remember to update in 1,000 miles!

[Poolman]

Good job--great to hear the satisfaction of other owners after completing this mod.

[Gumbi4u]

This is a great mod/maint item. I didnt notice much of a boost on the 525 due to the SC so the car was already pulling hard. The biggest boost was on the e46. NIGHT AND DAY difference. People need to get on this and do it. Its a very satisfying job.

[sabbos1]

This is a great mod/maint item. I didnt notice much of a boost on the 525 due to the SC so the car was already pulling hard. The biggest boost was on the e46. NIGHT AND DAY difference. People need to get on this and do it. Its a very satisfying job.

Thanks Poolman.

Gumbi - you speak the truth about satisfying! It was time consuming but with such a completely documented set of instructions that Rajae created the project went smoothly. And while I consider myself a relatively competent shade tree mechanic, almost anyone could do the work. Got to have that 32 mm wrench to get the fan loose!!

[jase007]

Nice job. :)

I'm looking forward to another trouble free winter with no stalls / hiccups.

One of the best improvements / refurbs I've done to the car so far
(Partial list: ABS module / new suspension / rear carrier (subframe) bushings and more ... ).

Much more enjoyable. I even bought a spare set of seals in case needed in the future ...

[Gumbi4u]

Nice job. :)

I'm looking forward to another trouble free winter with no stalls / hiccups.

One of the best improvements / refurbs I've done to the car so far
(Partial list: ABS module / new suspension / rear carrier (subframe) bushings and more ... ).

Much more enjoyable. I even bought a spare set of seals in case needed in the future ...

Trust me, you wont need them. Sell them or use on another bimmer you might have which has the same engine.

[bagman]

I would be down for a VANOS clinic sometime, my 97 528i has about 130k. As far as that 32 MM wrench, I got one from a bicycle shop, (like a spanner wrench, very thin) for $5.

[sabbos1]

I would be down for a VANOS clinic sometime, my 97 528i has about 130k. As far as that 32 MM wrench, I got one from a bicycle shop, (like a spanner wrench, very thin) for $5.

I have plenty of bicycle tools including a 32 mm spanner but it was too short - did not extend past the fan shroud where I could smack it with my 2 pound sledge. Does the 97 528i have the same VANOS issue? For some reason I thought it was a problem for newer model years. But, if you need it done I would be glad to help you get the job started - family commitments keep me on too short a leash to commit to the whole project!

Without a doubt I am looking forward to freedom from stalls and hiccups - plus the new thermostat gets the car heated up fast.

[BMW 528]

I would be down for a VANOS clinic sometime, my 97 528i has about 130k. As far as that 32 MM wrench, I got one from a bicycle shop, (like a spanner wrench, very thin) for $5.



I have 97 528iA with 150 000 miles and it runs OK. I'm not sure but I think we don't have to change those seals.

[Vipsa]

I just did the repair on Sunday as well. The instructions are definitely helpful and thorough. The only issue I had was, that when I ordered the parts, I was under the impression that all the required gaskets and parts were included in the kit. My mistake was not opening the package and checking before going to town on the VANOS. I found out that the VANOS gasket and the two banjo fitting washers were not included. I still managed to do the job and thankfully the VANOS gasket was in good condition and didn't tear. While I was there, I also changed my Waterpump, thermostat + housing, alternator belt and roller pulley. The hardest part for me was getting the old VANOS seals off without damaging the piston and then reinstalling the fan shroud and clipping the coolant hoses back up. Now that I know what's involved I think I can do it much faster than before. Haven't really noticed any significant power increases or fuel economy, but it's still nice to know that my car will not stall in the winter when I start it up.

[sabbos1]

....The hardest part for me was getting the old VANOS seals off without damaging the piston ....
That was tricky - I about stabbed my hand trying to get those suckers off...I did scratch the pistons slightly.

How are things in Waterford? I used to work for an environmental firm located in nearby Union Lake. Was a nice area with all those lakes and winding roads!

Steve

[Vipsa]

That was tricky - I about stabbed my hand trying to get those suckers off...I did scratch the pistons slightly.

How are things in Waterford? I used to work for an environmental firm located in nearby Union Lake. Was a nice area with all those lakes and winding roads!

Steve
The roads are fun, but the area's getting really populated and Union Lake road has become a nightmare with traffic. We desperately need a highway or some type of 4 lane road in the area. It takes me an hour to get to work in Farmington Hills because of the congestion. Also the roads' conditions are a joke they're trying to fix them up but that it's still pretty bad.

[BMW 528]

The roads are fun, but the area's getting really populated and Union Lake road has become a nightmare with traffic. We desperately need a highway or some type of 4 lane road in the area. It takes me an hour to get to work in Farmington Hills because of the congestion. Also the roads' conditions are a joke they're trying to fix them up but that it's still pretty bad.



Yes, you're right. Union Lake is driving me nuts. I have a used car dealer in Pontiac (Montcalm Ave, between Cesar Chavez and Baldwin) and I drive pretty much on that road.

[sabbos1]

The roads are fun, but the area's getting really populated and Union Lake road has become a nightmare with traffic. We desperately need a highway or some type of 4 lane road in the area. It takes me an hour to get to work in Farmington Hills because of the congestion. Also the roads' conditions are a joke they're trying to fix them up but that it's still pretty bad.

man that really bites - I lived in Troy between 87 and 91 and the drive from there to Union Lake was bad then! I can't even imagine what it would be like now.

[Vipsa]

Yes, you're right. Union Lake is driving me nuts. I have a used car dealer in Pontiac (Montcalm Ave, between Cesar Chavez and Baldwin) and I drive pretty much on that road.

You know what's funny, I think I know which one it is. A couple of years ago I went to this dealership on Montcalm to look at an MK2 GTI with two older Albanian guys working there :D.

[Poolman]

To answer the posted question on single Vanos (will they benifet from the new seal)
The answer is yes --the single system needs this mod also--and will benifet greatly
There is a write up now at Besian for the single Vanos that also has the great detail that we have found in the original write up---but doing the single Vanos requires some specialized tools to lock down the cams and flywheel before attempting the removal of the part--along with that is a special wrench to remove the Vanos it'sself.
Rajaie is working on making the tools avaiable on ebay for a discounted price compared to buying them from a parts store.
Hope that helps

[BMW 528]

You know what's funny, I think I know which one it is. A couple of years ago I went to this dealership on Montcalm to look at an MK2 GTI with two older Albanian guys working there :D.




Are you kidding me? D & D Car Co? It was a 1986 Golf II GTI, red.
The shorter one is my brother and the taller one is his partner. They are bosses. I wasn't there in that time.

[Vipsa]

Are you kidding me? D & D Car Co? It was a 1986 Golf II GTI, red.
The shorter one is my brother and the taller one is his partner. They are bosses. I wasn't there in that time.

Yup that was the one. It was a dark red 86 GTI. I think they told me it was sold but they'd sell it to me if I offered more or something like that. I didn't get it as I didn't really need it but it had suspiciously low miles and it piqued my interest :D.

[BMW 528]

You know what, when we get a deposit, we can't sell that car to anybody else, we have to hold it.

[FP5241]

This is a great mod/maint item. I didnt notice much of a boost on the 525 due to the SC so the car was already pulling hard. The biggest boost was on the e46. NIGHT AND DAY difference. BMW needs to get thier efficent german heads out of thier asses and address this.

fixed.

[cal45fan]

I will be doing this mod, too this weekend. As far as the special tools (cam block, sprocket wrench and lock pin), a local bmw indie agreed to lend them to me for free!!! Attached are the seals and washers I will be replacing along the way.

[BMW 528]

How much you pay'd for this?

[cal45fan]

How much you pay'd for this?

I spent $67.00 on ALL gaskets, seals and washers needed for this repair.

[BMW 528]

OK, I have brand new valve cover gasket so how much is going to cost me without VCG?

[sabbos1]

I spent $60 for the VANOS seals from Beisan and then I think the following is a list of most of the parts that they recommend you replace while it is open.

Part No. Description QTY
11121437395 Valve Cover Seal Washer 15 1.40 21.00T
11127526447 Gasket 1 3.20 3.20T
11129070990 Valve Cover Gasket Set 1 33.00 33.00T
11361433817 Gasket 1 5.20 5.20T
11361748745 Bolt 2 1.10 2.20T
17111712963 Rivet 2 0.50 1.00T
32411093596 Seal Ring 2 0.20 0.40T

Deduct the $33 since you already have the valve cover gasket set. The above includes the VANOS gasket, new washer seals for the valve cover, new bolts for the VANOS and 2 rivets for the fan shroud (get these - cheap and I broke one even though I tried to be careful).

Steve

[Vipsa]

I would strongly suggest you pick up a couple of bleed screws. I ordered one JUST in case and my buddy ended up braking one of the screws by over tightening it. Also make sure you get an assortment of small metal hose clamps. The original ones are not reusable. You need the small one for the expansion tank hose ( finger thick). Make sure you don't loose the metal washers on the valve cover bolts, when taking the cover off. When you take the bolts off, carefully remove the washers too, before pulling on the cover. Otherwise they might end up on the ground, inside the head or down the spark plug hole. Needle nose pliers are a MUST. Good luck.

[sabbos1]

I would strongly suggest you pick up a couple of bleed screws. I ordered one JUST in case and my buddy ended up braking one of the screws by over tightening it. Also make sure you get an assortment of small metal hose clamps. The original ones are not reusable. You need the small one for the expansion tank hose ( finger thick). Make sure you don't loose the metal washers on the valve cover bolts, when taking the cover off. When you take the bolts off, carefully remove the washers too, before pulling on the cover. Otherwise they might end up on the ground, inside the head or down the spark plug hole. Needle nose pliers are a MUST. Good luck.

Good points - I forgot that I bought two small stainless steel clamps. See my original post starting this thread about dropping a washer, albeit the rubber seal, down the spark plug hole and having to fish that out. Also, I replaced the two washers that fit on the VANOS banjo fitting.

Steve