Lack of power

[orlbmw]

I have 2002 X5 3.0i that recently had some head work done (overheated). Since then I have had many issues and most have been fixed including the dreaded "trans fail safe". However when I start the car, unless I step on the gas within 1-3 seconds and rev the engine pass 3000 rpm, the engine has no power. If I step on the gas right away and rev it high, the car has full power when I drive it until I turn it off again.
I get the following codes:

DME: VANOS inlet camshaft end position not reached
DME: VANOS exhaust camshaft end position not reached

I am wondering where to start looking. Could it be timing? The next mechanic who looked at it (not the one who did the head work) checked the vanos and told me they were functioning correctly. He seems to think that ECU is malfunctioning because the original mechanic did not connect the wires correctly and shorted parts of the ECU.

Please help.

[TiAgX5]

3.0i V8?

No such thing.

[BigBlack48is]

I'm lost...

[orlbmw]

Just corrected it

[TiAgX5]

After an overheat the Vanos seals should be replaced. Was that done?

[upallnight]

Are these certified BMW mechanics? Is this an indy that specialize in BMW cars or is this Gomer at the local gas station?

[TiAgX5]

This falls into the "You think professional is expensive??? Try amateur!!!" catagory.

Too many jackasses out there wrenching on hardware they have NO right touching.

[orlbmw]

The head work was Gomer but he did use the "Timing tool" though not sure if he knew how to set timing right. Its water under the bridge now. The second mechanic has BMW experience and also has the BMW Diagnostic computer. He did say that he has cleaned the Vanos and checked the seals. We noticed the following:

When the gas pedal is pressed right away, we see that ECU is sending ground and some value for the "Vanos exhaust ref position" and "Vanos inlet ref position".
If there is a delay in pressing the gas pedal, there is no ground and there is no value being sent for "Vanos exhaust ref position".

I think I have the following options:
1. Take it to the "stealership"
2. Pay this mechanic to redo the head again
3. Replace the TPS sensor (The symptoms are relevant but no code)
4. Rebuild the VANOS

The vehicle is worth about $6000.00 in normal running condition. So don't really want to spend thousands fixing it.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by orlbmw

The head work was Gomer but he did use the "Timing tool" though not sure if he knew how to set timing right. Its water under the bridge now. The second mechanic has BMW experience and also has the BMW Diagnostic computer. He did say that he has cleaned the Vanos and checked the seals. We noticed the following:

When the gas pedal is pressed right away, we see that ECU is sending ground and some value for the "Vanos exhaust ref position" and "Vanos inlet ref position".
If there is a delay in pressing the gas pedal, there is no ground and there is no value being sent for "Vanos exhaust ref position".

I think I have the following options:
1. Take it to the "stealership"
2. Pay this mechanic to redo the head again
3. Replace the TPS sensor (The symptoms are relevant but no code)
4. Rebuild the VANOS

The vehicle is worth about $6000.00 in normal running condition. So don't really want to spend thousands fixing it.

So that leaves option No. 1 off the table.

Sounds like the Vanos wasn't install correctly, or perhaps Gomer got something clogged in the oil line for the vanos and when you rev the engine up it builds up enough pressure to unclog or unstick the vanos until you shut the engine off.