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das borgen
06-19-2011, 10:21 PM
My friend Gordon and I had been talking since the winter about have a VANOS man-date. He had done multiple VANOS on E36 so he had some good knowledge to share :)

We each prepared by getting spare VANOSs which we rebuilt with stuff from Beisan Systems (www.beisansystems.com). The VANOS I bought on ebay was completely dead and I got it for 35 bucks...the seals cost 60 so for 100 bucks + 45mn of my time, I had a built VANOS ready to go in.

I also sourced the VANOS tools from a coworker
- flywheel lock tool (only one I didn't use)
- cam blocks
- secondary chain tensioner holder
- VANOS wrench
my car with new VANOS
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264743_518432285670_28900018_30552265_7348102_n.jp g


I got to Cincy at Gordon's at 9am, we munched on donuts and coffee and got to work. Valve covers were off in an hour as we worked simultaneously....
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262773_518432300640_28900018_30552266_1314364_n.jp g

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/261508_518432310620_28900018_30552267_1941094_n.jp g

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252427_518432320600_28900018_30552268_2692197_n.jp g

my cams looked GREAT..Amsoil, German Castrol, Brad Penn Oil are all awesome

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264107_518432335570_28900018_30552269_5390776_n.jp g

In order to rotate the engine to TDC, spark plug 1 was removed (well, all were removed anyway since I was doing plugs too) and a long screwdriver was used to feel out the position of the number 1 piston. I had to remove my Spal fan to get a ratchet/socket on crank pulley to rotate engine.

On Gordon's salvage engine from Bavarian Auto Recyclers, we found a nasty surprise...his intake cam was 30 degrees off time and the engine was put in months ago (before winter). Miraculously, no valves were bent but this explained why his car felt so damn sluggish. No matter since we retimed the engine (for him, the flywheel lock was used) and put in his VANOS. It was evident somebody at some point had been in
3 teeth off was the intake cam....scary the car was even able to run
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263921_518432345550_28900018_30552270_3933230_n.jp g

my engine at TDC with cam locks
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/264428_518432375490_28900018_30552272_2280706_n.jp g

working on the 325is
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/264125_518432385470_28900018_30552273_1831607_n.jp g

plugs!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264360_518432395450_28900018_30552274_8109667_n.jp g

re-timing Gordon's car
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254120_518432415410_28900018_30552275_6387315_n.jp g

the 325is benefited more from the VANOS and PROPER re-timing of course but my car felt better too
He said "Massive improvement in throttle response, power and powerband best project ever "hah""
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254928_518432470300_28900018_30552279_3636038_n.jp g

I also did a new accelerator cable on my car and a new valve cover gasket (but the old one was really in great shape still).....VANOS was a necesary thing to do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjYaOAR6heI


cliffs: Gordon's 325is and my M3 get new VANOS
-325is needed re-timed due to bad-but-could-have-been-disastrous previous owner timing
- work went rather smoothly actually
- engines on our cars feel awesome
BimmerBoyUSMC
06-20-2011, 01:41 AM
Sounds like a fun day.
WRXEATR
06-20-2011, 03:51 AM
Fuel: Shimmer ftMF win

The solenoids were still good I take it?
das borgen
06-20-2011, 08:47 AM
Fuel: Shimmer ftMF win

The solenoids were still good I take it?

how would you test if the solenoid is still good? what code would a bad solenoid throw?

UPDATE:
I got a "VANOS Mechanically Stuck" code after ~150 miles of driving and it could be two things according to a Master Tech (18+years ) I just consulted told me it could be two things
1) a badly installed VANOS.. I severely doubt this is the case since my buddy was pretty confident the VANOS-head install was spot-on as he had done this before a few times and we were doing his car too that day
2) a bad solenoid... the spare VANOS I got, I never tested the solenoid opreation. I m leaning toward this since my old solenoid was fine and maybe the new one is crap...

in any event, I should have tested VANOS operation in car with air and 12V to the solenoid....I'll take out this solenoid (doesn t even require taking out the VANOS unit) and give it 12V off-car and see if it works... and I ll salvage my old solenoid and put it on there if that s the case..... If not a bad solenoid, I'll get around to redoing the VANOS install...

the VANOS isn t actually that hard...it s kind of danuting but it s honestly pretty easy with the right tools and toughto mess up if you follow procedure
jmejia15
06-20-2011, 10:59 AM
I've been contemplating a DIY for this, too. How long did it take each of you?
E36BMW3series
06-20-2011, 11:00 AM
If you have the right tools it's not a hard job. Can't get any better instructions than the Beisan system page. It just gets hard when you try and rig up your own tools.
hinzm3
06-20-2011, 12:45 PM
Nice! I ended up doing new seals on mine while I was in there for HG job. 125k and the vanos was still in great shape! It had no play but I replaced the seals anyways.

It's funny how those little seals cause such big headaches.
orangehatter
06-20-2011, 12:49 PM
the VANOS isn t actually that hard...it s kind of danuting but it s honestly pretty easy with the right tools and toughto mess up if you follow procedure

Very much agreed. Glad you had fun Rich! :D
Volf
06-20-2011, 10:38 PM
I remember when working on the e36 was fun
das borgen
06-21-2011, 09:09 AM
I remember when working on the e36 was fun
sad banana is sad

http://nanosandc.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/sad-banana-2.jpg
Volf
06-21-2011, 03:16 PM
:(
weaksauce
06-21-2011, 10:32 PM
i hope that some day, all the issues on my e36 are fixed. hell i have no AC on my dd truck right now because i don't have the time to fix it.......

so the E36 waits.

swap that vanos solenoid and see if the code goes away. its a 5 minute job if the engine is cool.
das borgen
06-22-2011, 12:23 AM
forgot to update on here

tested the solenoids I have and they both tested good......I still have the code....my VANOS was misinstalled....will get around to fixing soon
das borgen
07-06-2011, 01:47 AM
got around to fixing the "VANOS mechanically stuck" code I was getting since the install...now my car runs perfectly well....
BavarianMotorsp
11-27-2012, 11:33 PM
I know this is an old thread , but i am curious what was wrong with your vanos ?
Is it the timing or something else?

I just bought e36 S52 and i am getting P1519 , which is a vanos code.
I also hooked it up on carsoft and the error was something with jammed vanos mechanics...
I tested the solenoid with 12V and it seems good to me.

:help , please !
das borgen
11-27-2012, 11:42 PM
I know this is an old thread , but i am curious what was wrong with your vanos ?
Is it the timing or something else?

I just bought e36 S52 and i am getting P1519 , which is a vanos code.
I also hooked it up on carsoft and the error was something with jammed vanos mechanics...
I tested the solenoid with 12V and it seems good to me.

:help , please !

read post 13


time to dig back in and fix
BavarianMotorsp
11-28-2012, 12:04 AM
And by fixing you mean retiming?
das borgen
11-28-2012, 09:03 AM
And by fixing you mean retiming?

yep

you installed it badly...It's easy to do

dig in, uninstall, reinstall properly
BavarianMotorsp
11-28-2012, 09:43 AM
Thank you for your help. I just bought the car so whoever installed it originally did not do a good job. The car had a new head gasket installed and cams as well. Time to order vanos tools and maybe some seals...
das borgen
11-28-2012, 10:30 AM
no problem

follow the procedure here
http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/vanos_single_procedure.htm

there isn't a better DIY I've come across

also, to test VANOS travel you can do this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=angrrw9TaRc

instead of a separate car battery, you can use your car's + post in the engine bay (behind the passenger side shock tower) and any random ground on the car body (use small alligator clips to clip onto the solenoid's terminals

Also, you need the air tool fitting that bolts to the VANOS oil feed line to supply the 60psi needed to actuate the VANOS fully during the test. This testing tool DOES NOT come with VANOS timing tool kits so you must buy it separately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vanos-Fitting-Repair-Tool-M50-M52-M54-Banjo-Fitting-BMW-/170869532979?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item27c89e2933&vxp=mtr

VANOS timing tool kits are usually able to be rented. Look around online or send a PM to 99Mpower


glad to be able to help :). I can probably lazily do a VANOS job in 3hrs or less; in and out and driving
NeilM
11-28-2012, 10:49 AM
instead of a separate car battery, you can use your car's + post in the engine bay (behind the passenger side shock tower) and any random ground on the car body (use small alligator clips to clip onto the solenoid's terminals

Be careful to respect proper polarity when applying power to the VANOS solenoid manually. It has an internal diode which will be damaged if polarity is reversed.

Neil
das borgen
11-28-2012, 10:55 AM
Be careful to respect proper polarity when applying power to the VANOS solenoid manually. It has an internal diode which will be damaged if polarity is reversed.

Neil

yea...that's second nature to me when dealing with solenoids as most are this way (not all), which is why I forgot to mention it.

The E36 VANOS solenoid is the same on ALL of them (M50, M52, S50, S52) and the solenoid has little markings on the connector itself that show - and + so you know where to give power and where to connect to ground when doing the VANOS test! they are molded into the plastic of the connector

good luck, dude!
BavarianMotorsp
11-28-2012, 12:29 PM
You guys rock ! I will be doing it in about 2 weeks from now so I will def. let you know what the results are. Also I talked to a friend of mine who advised me to buy a rebuild vanos since I don't really know the condition on the current one , install it and call it a day. I think that $200 is def. worth it for a rebuild one.
das borgen
11-28-2012, 01:02 PM
You guys rock ! I will be doing it in about 2 weeks from now so I will def. let you know what the results are. Also I talked to a friend of mine who advised me to buy a rebuild vanos since I don't really know the condition on the current one , install it and call it a day. I think that $200 is def. worth it for a rebuild one.

or take yours and rebuild it yourself...it's easy....Beisan Systems sells the seals and bearing and parts are only 60 bucks

DRVANOS.com sells a rebuilt vanos for 250 bucks........rebuilding is easy enough compared to the rest of the installation process
BavarianMotorsp
06-04-2013, 09:43 PM
I never posted an update , but my vanos has been rebuilt and fixed for months now .
It was not timed properly , so now the car is running great .. no more cel , lots of power in low rpm :)

Thanks for your help !!
ryanmkincaid
07-16-2020, 12:19 AM
Well I'm stuck. I've took it apart and put the new vanos in. I was suspicious that I made a mistake so I took it all apart again. Spent two days on this. Started the car up and it was fine. Cleared the CEL and went for a spirited drive to my buddy's house about 3 miles away. hung out for a few hours. Left for home and about 5 min into the drive, CEL is back. Got home and ran a check and Vanos Mechanically stuck is back. SMH.