Quote:
Originally Posted by brian5
This month, my Check Engine light, turned out be FC 2A91, FA8D. Which apparently translated into my service department having to replace the vanos solenoid valves. [I was happy that it was covered by extended warranty].
(I had other bigger issues too but won't go into those here but suffice to say, it took the service department 5 days to resolve those  ) |
[OT warning]
On the e39 m5 the VANOS issues were legendary...at first, dealers just knew "replace VANOS" and the entire vanos assembly was replaced at a cost of $4000 per side... most under warranty. Then BMWAG figured it out and began selling just the vanos SOLENOIDs...at $400 per side. Nice. But then the solenoids went to $1200 per side, and we began fixing them!
The point is that BMW replaces parts, they dont fix parts... and out of necessity, we learned that solenoids failed for three reasons: internal fouling with debris, the traces on the circuits cracking and the sealing o-rings leaking.
So now, the fix is simple: clean them out withj carb cleaner, actuate them with a battery, re-solder damaged traces, pop in new o-rings and reinstall.... a car that the BMW dealer says "Needs two VANOS at $7800" can be fixed perfectly for $100.
Keep this in mind as other cars fail outside of warranty!