Replacing the vanos unit..
 

wassup guys im in the process of gathering parts to replace my vanos unit but my question is which is the vanos unit? is it the gear itself thats on the camshaft itself? here is the diagram for the whole camshaft assembly and what i am assuming is the vanos unit...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/h/l/22.png

now what i am thinking is #1 is the camshaft adjuster unit but #9 is the vanos solenoid.. from reading threads, i am under the impression that #1 needs to be changed also with teh solenoid. for anyone knowledgable in this please feel free to reply and let me know what to do

It's number 1 in the picture below:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/h/r/236.png

I got the rebuild kit from Beisan Systems, works like a charm.

how about v8 4.4i?

yes im sorry i forgot to state that this is for a 4.4

well..That's why I felt it should be clarified,although you signature states your engine displacement and I am kind'a wondering the same VANOS question..

RE: Vanos Check out these guys - they have made a vanos repair
 

kit for the six cyl in the past and may have one for the 8 by now. They are well regarded on the ROADFLY E39 board and prices and info are well worth looking into. All you will probably need are new seals....the original seals were made from inferior/incorrect compound so don't get the new seals from BMW...

Beisan Systems

Cheers, :thumbup:

Hi.

Flekz, I take it your engine is is an M62TU?

Yes you are correct, the VANOS unit is No1 in your diagram. There is one on the front of both inlet camshafts.

There is no fix from Beisan for the V8 VANOS as they are sealed units. The only way to sort it is to replace both units.

Of course that depends on what the problem is. Can you give more information on why you want to do this job and why you think it is necessary to change the VANOS solenoids as well? It's quite an expensive job and needs a few special tools.

I have recently done the VANOS replacement procedure on my 2000 E38 740i V8 4.4 M62TU.

The reason I did it was because there was a tapping/knocking deisel like sound coming from the top of the valve covers at hot idle. After two years of investigation, numerous failed 'fixes' and worrying that something very bad could go wrong at any moment, I found it was the VANOS units all along. Now the engine is nice and quiet.

Hope this helps.

Hi there..it's an answer I was waiting for.
Could you tell me :
1. I assume those are identical units on both sides..right?
2. What would it involve if I swap them...Valve cover gasket I assume,but further..
3. What did you gain beyond disappeared tapping noises? Power ,better fuel milage?
4. and the last one...was it DIY and what was the cost and where did you get your parts from..(3 in 1 :rofl:)

Thanks a lot in advance.

Hi diyanich.

1. Correct, one VANOS unit for each bank, mirror image.

On some M62TU'S (Mine especialy) the internal helical gears within the VANOS units become worn/loose over time. Mines done just over 100,000 miles. I'm inclined to think that previous owners have used the wrong grade oil. I am now using Silkolene Pro 'S' 5w-40 full synthetic. If you have an old unit off, it can be turned (With a rubiks cube type motion) with both hands quite easily. A new one is very stiff to turn.

2. Yes, valve cover gaskets on both banks (It will cure the 'oil in the spark plug wells' problem as well) and upper timing chain cover gaskets on both banks. Also, it's worth changing the main chain tensioner for a new one as the spring has been upgraded, ie: longer. No19:

RealOEM.com BMW E38 740i Timing - Timing Chain Lower P

3. Only a slight gain in mpg. But just to get rid of that embarrassing noise was enough for me. And, the relief that I'd found the real cause and there wasn't anything more sinister going on.

4. The dealers wanted in excess of £2000 as it would take more than 24 straight hours.........Yeah right!. I did it in 6 hours, admittedly, with the help from someone who had done it before on his E39 535i. So I would think it would take a good 8 -10 hours diy, taking it easy and making sure it's done right. The VANOS units themselves only take about ten mins each bank, the rest of the time is taken up with getting in there and putting it all back together again. If you can do the valve & timing cover gaskets you're 90% there anyway.

Have a look at this. Scroll down a bit to cn90's post and click on the Bentley Publishers pdf. It's for the timing chain replacement but gives the M62 VANOS diy procedure:

E39 540i - M62TU Timing Chain plastic guide disintegration - bimmerfest - BMW Forums


It looked pretty scary and technical to me, but really, it's very straight forward if you study it properly.

The VANOS units are dealer parts only. I paid £250 each.

The biggest drawback though is the special tools needed. Obviously the dealers will have them and maybe some indy's. Would they hire them out? Who knows? The other option is buy them:

BMW M60 M62 Master Camshaft / VANOS Timing Tool Kit on eBay.ca (item 350321859863 end time 28-Feb-10 21:51:47 EST)

The cam locks and impulse wheel timing jigs are essential for the job.

This is what my engine sounded like before I changed the VANOS units:

YouTube - M62B35 Ticking

Now she's nice and quiet.

Old:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ine005-1-1.gif

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ine017-1-1.gif

New:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...P1010046-3.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...P1010047-3.jpg

Oh!, and it also cured the 'start-up rattle' from cold..............bonus!

Thank you a lot for a detailed reply:thumbup:
Mine is rattling as on the youtube link you've posted.
Well...I was wondering if I just leave it the way it is..it's gonna get worse,no? louder? or it could cause further damage?