Z3M Vanos error code

[bdtbdt]

I went to the dealer today to check the fault codes on my dme.

there is one that keeps popping - "21 Retard valve, VANOS exhaust - Open circuit"

can anyone help me with this? how should i fix it or at least diagnose the cause?

My car has one of five S50B32 engines in israel - so the dealer don't really knows how to deal with it...

thanks,
Tom

[bdtbdt]

no one's familiar with this?

[Ribergaard]

Check out this thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=vanos+failure

From your error code, i would assume that either the o-rings on the solenoid valve operating the exhaust cam, or the solenoid valve itself has gone bad, thus leaking pressure and not retarding or advancing the cam properly.
If you look here, you will see what i mean:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...75&hg=11&fg=15

I have heard of the o-rings becoming hard and brittle with age, and no longer achieving a proper seal.

Oh, and i dont know if you know, but the S50B32 was never in the american Z3M, thats probably why there wasnt much response to your thread. There is a euro sub-forum in the e36 m3 forum (thats where the top link leads you), where you might find better info, as these guys have our engine, in a different chassis.