Help! I'm told its Vanos
 

Hi all,

car: 2008 x5 n62, 100k on the clock

I recently had some major work done to the car and now the mechanic tells me it's vanos going bad. I disagree.

The reason I brought the car in for this service was because of the alternator bracker seal. While replacing that we also did timing cover seals, valve cover seals, front lower control arms.

Now I get this noise, and the mechanic tells me its the vanos. I did listen to some youtube examples of the vanos noise and I am sticking by my guns and disagree with my mechanic.

Noise:
Especially audioable when car is cold and in gear or while driving slow.
Bring the engine to 2500 rmp or even to 3000 rpm and take your foot of the gas pedal (allowing for motor to slow down on its own) and you will his a rattle that sounds like an electrical cable rattling against valve cover on the passenger side (the one with BMW logo on it), Sort of like when a base hits a bunch of coins and they rattle in ashtray until the energy subsides, and the noise is plastic, none-metallic.

Does that sound to you like a vanos?

Vanos noise I was able to hear is present on the up swing of the rpm and the downside. And, its not only in the 2k to 3k range but all over the rpm range.

What do you think?

I plan on picking the car up and working on this in my yard with a stethoscope.


Your suggestions are highly anticipated, thank you.

Also, in case I am off my rocker, by not believing my mechanic, what should I expect to spend on vanos tensioner replacement (not timing chain, but the 4 gear looking things behind the cover)?

Much :beerchug: to you all.

- valve cover (the one with BMW logo on it)
N62 (2 valve covers - engine covers have the BMW logos)
- what should I expect to spend on vanos tensioner replacement?
VANOS tensioner? Or do you mean timing chain tensioner?

Valvetronics are inherently noisy
(Search - Intermediate Lever noise)

Repeat post

edited and updated...


bttt...

Sound like the chain is slapping against the rail(s) to me.

Page 31 has good info on VANOS;
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...4&d=1326480212

Are you saying the noise wasn't there before they worked on it - Or did they just bring it to your attention. Engine codes or light???

Yes, there was no noise before I got the car to them. Did a bunch of service, drove it, and noticed noise that day.

I dropped it off to have then check it out and now I am being told that it's vanos. Honestly, I don't believe it, am about to pickup the car tomorrow and will try to figure out what the issues is.

Yes, there is a slight chance that this failed as same time they did maintenance, and I am not arguing that. I'm arguing the source of noise.
Obviously taking car apart will cost them money, doing vanos repair will cost me money and hopefully then things get found.

I'm kind of left disappointed.

Thanks for the manual, I will dig into it.

Contact schpenxel on the bimmerfest forum, he actually disassembled a VANOS while rebuilding his N62.
Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - View Profile: schpenxel