VANOS solenoid....Federal factory warranty?

[mpe50]

Quick history....Took my car into what is regarded locally, and on message boards, as a very reputable local shop for a loud squeaking noise (different post), and a check engine light.

Couldn't get the noise to replicate. So they just ran the codes, and said the Vanos needed new seals and to be cleaned. 2.5 hrs labor and $14 in parts. Not knowing much about VANOS, i said yes. Did a bit of research afterward and saw it's a super easy job, so I asked why so much labor. Said they also removed screens/filters on the exhaust side to be cleaned. Never heard of that anywhere, but whatever. Paid the $315 and drove off. Within an hour the noise happened again, and the idle was incredibly rough. So I drove straight back. Minute I pull in, check engine light goes back on. He grabs the reader, and now the intake solenoid has gone bad (or likely was in the first place).

So I tell him I'm leaving it and he says he'll sort it out. He just called two days later saying he looked into and since VANOS is loosely tied to emissions, BMW is required to replace them if the car is under 10 yrs 120,000 miles?? Said I should take it to the dealer. Seems like BS to me.

[LeiZ]

You need to know what code he's pulling


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bawareca]

VANOS is very tightly related to the emissions. The CA emission warranty is 7 years/70k miles, but it is not fair to be referred to that warranty after paying $300 or whatever.
The main reason I dont run a shop is that in the current economical and business climate, especially in California, a shop owner cannot afford to not charge every customer that got in at least a few hundred bucks. Just saying.

[mpe50]

I had just never heard of the CA emissions warranty in all my reading about the VANOS. Guess I'll give the dealer a call in the morning, but I don't seem them doing much about it either as car is 8 yrs and 88k miles now. Seemed more like the indy trying to avoid the conversation about why he didn't just replace the solenoid in the first place. Definitely feels a little wrong to pay $300+ only to have the issue worse than when I brought it in.