does e36 m3 still run if the vanos is knackered ??

[ALS M3]

my m3 evo cab drives ok but stationary ticks over really bad and is definately something wrong with it.

any ideas ? could it be vanos ??

[thegreengoblet]

My Indy told me that a vanos failure will not harm the engine and it will run fine albeit with a loss of power (the vanos will not lift the cams). Bad idling can be down to air leaks or knackered MAF sensor.

[andye30m3]

yes it will still run a drive just very lumpy at low revs / tick over if I remember correctly it feels like it's trying to stall so you have to keep the revs up on the throttle.

Vanos faults can often just be the solenoids being damaged which can be replaced reasonably cheaply and if the whole unit needs replacing it can be bought reconditioned from someone like drvanos in the states

this is also worth a read http://mukerji.co.uk/category/vanos/

Edited by andye30m3 on Tuesday 12th October 23:20

[swtmerce]

Or try MrVanos in the UK.

[thegreengoblet]

Also have a look for Iridium Engineering Services in Southampton.

[pat_y]

If it's only just started this lumpy tickover i would have a look at the vanos soleniod plugs, they can unplug themselves on rare occasions.
Under the vanos system attached to the cyl head is a black plastic cover held on by what should be 2 domed nuts, remove this cover and you will see the vanos system plugs (take note of which plug goes where).
Uplug one at a time and have a look at the contacts, if all looks nice and clean you might want to test the resistance to verify that they are not totally shot.
There are 3 pins on the plug, test resistance from the centre pin to each of the outer pins (soleniod side)correctly you should get 4ohms resistance to show that the system has not shorted or died completley, ( i think it's 4ohms, can anyone else verify this)
Can be a touch fiddly, but a good reasonably quick method for checking soleniods.
Finally put back together but make sure the plug clips are closed correctly when together.
Don't overtighten the plastic cover when you replace it as it can warp and bend casing the clips to come undone again.
Other than that, i would take to a local specialist.

Edited by pat_y on Wednesday 13th October 11:24

[joesnow]

Not only will the car be lumpy, but low end performance will be compromised. The car will shunt through the drivetrain in traffic, and generally be a right pain in the rectum.

Best fix is this chap, as already mentioned. http://www.mrvanos.com/

He will visit you, fit a recon vanos which has been rebuilt and pressure tested with updated seals, make sure everything is ticketyboo, and leave you with a very healthy car.

He's coming to visit me on the 27th!

Around £750, which compared to others I think is a no brainer.

[ALS M3]

Cheers guys all very helpfull.

today i took it to a bmw specialist in sheffield and they told me a solenoid was sticking in the vanos ( somehow it unstuck itself while they was testing it and now driving better ) but they said it could happen again at any time and i should either get my money back for the car as its a major issue or for £450 + vat they could take the vanos apart and then tell me what parts i neeed! if its bad i would need a new vanos at £1300 + fitting so i wasnt impressed.

somehow i met a guy at another garage with same car who had just had his vanos fixed (new seals and bolts) so he jumped in and took me where he had it done. i was told its been cought early so shouldnt be noisy when fixed and new seals and bolts should sort it! £250 parts and fitting! they seemed pretty confident and only had performance evo's in so fingers crossed, parts have been ordered.

does that seem about right to you guys ??? cheers for all your help.....AL

[phatgixer]

What is a Vanos?

[_Neal_]

A special part that allows your engine to have some low and mid-range torque?

[phatgixer]

_Neal_ said:

A special part that allows your engine to have some low and mid-range torque?

Nah, that baby lives at 8,000rpm.

Gets all stroppy and fickle at less than 3k vevs.

Vanos vamoose!