Stuck in ignorance land again......please help

[BobS]

I have a 2001 X5 3.0. The service engine light came on. I read the code with my Peake reader. I am getting "Exhaust camshaft vanos, over-retarded". Now as little as I do know, I believe that if the vanos is bad and needs replacing it's not something I can do ( specialized tools, etc. ). However sometimes these error codes just get you in the ball park so-to-speak and I'm wondering if there is any information that anyone might share or something that I can check to further identify my exact problem. Maybe it's not as bad as I think and then again maybe it is. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Also I'm wondering if this is a common problem with these vehicles. ( approx. 80,000 miles ).

[Aimster]

did it say sensor?

[asawadude]

You didn't say whether or not your X5's driveability is affected. Is it idling or running badly? If it's running fine, but simply throwing codes, then it's possibly your exhaust camshaft positioning sensor. They typically fail between 75K and 100K. You'll probably have to replace the intake cam position sensor as well. I don't know the latest prices on the sensor, but they're probably less than $100 each.

Do a search here and E46fanatics for more information and DIY articles for "camshaft positioning sensor". If you have a Peake code reader, you're probably an experienced home mechanic; you could probably knock out this job yourself.

If you don't feel comfortable doing a self-diagnosis or you are having driveability issues, have a BMW tech check out the vehicle.

[Aimster]

If they are the sensors you can get both of them for about 50-60 each on Ebay.

Seller's ID is something like germanautoparts

[BobS]

There is no mention of the word "sensor" in the error code explanation from Peake. The vehicle's driveability is not affected.....runs just fine. Matter of fact I cleared the code and it stayed cleared for about 10 days and then came back yesterday.

I recently replaced the camshaft position sensor for the exhaust side. When I read out the code for that error, the code actually specified the bank and that it was the exhaust camshaft position sensor. This code I'm getting now is different, "Exhaust camshaft vanos, over-retarded" which is different from "Camshaft position sensor, exhaust" which I got when the exhaust camshaft position sensor was bad and I replaced it. I'm thinking something else may be going on that is related to the vanos.

[Aimster]

what was the code number?

search the code number on here and see what comes up

[BobS]

In response to Aimster, the code I'm getting from my Peake is a "6A" . As Peake states in their information this is in hexadecimal format. The BMW dealers use decimal format which would be a code "106" . Either way it translates to "Exhaust camshaft VANOS, over-retarded". I also have a Actron OBDll reader and the code it gives is a "P0015" which translates to "Camshaft position actuator B - timing over-retard". I believe that "camshaft position actuator" is generic speak for the VANOS although I can't be sure........seems logical though.

I did do a search for these codes but did not find any additional useful information. However I may have missed something. Hope this helps.

[Eurosport]

change the other sensor and you'll be good to go
i've had same thing same code not only on the x5 but also on my 330ci
once i got the code and had to replace one, the second one needed replacing withing a few thousand miles too. they seem to go bad about same time.
so to save time, when changing first, it's good idea to just do them both at the same time.
btw the new sensors have updated gasket design and supposed to last longer, since that's what made them go bad was a poor gasket, would let oil get to the sensor and sensor would go bad.

[BobS]

In reply to Eurosport, I am little confused ( not unusual for me ). Are you saying to replace the intake camshaft postion sensor? This confuses me because the error message I'm getting is in relation to the exhaust camshaft VANOS. I would have expected to get a hex "41" code "Intake camshaft position sensor" if that was the problem. But I'm getting hex "6A" which is "Exhaust camshaft VANOS, over retarded". Also I just got back from taking the car to a local independent BMW repair shop and they are telling me it's the VANOS that needs to be replaced at a cost of $1150.00. Interestingly enough I called around to check their price and another BMW mechanic told me that it, more than likely, was the exhaust VANOS solenoid and not the VANOS itself. He said he had never had to replace the VANOS ever on a BMW. So I'm wondering if there is a way to take the exhaust VANOS solenoid off and test it or if I just need to replace it and see if it fixes my problem.

[BobS]

Additional reply to Eurosport. After re-reading your reply to my post I took a look at the intake camshaft position sensor. It does have oil on it which seems to be leaking past the seal into and on the electrical portion of the sensor electrical connector just as you described. I had bought an intake sensor when I replaced the exhaust sensor a ways back, so I have one on hand. Probably would have replaced it when I did the other but the intake VANOS solenoid was in my way at the time and I chickened out.