e39 M5 project
Discussion
i started a topic on this last week but it was all rushed because i picked it up then went away for a week
sorry my fault.
so this is the new improved one
hear she is a 99 M5 silverstone blue just 3 owners and full history. but a nice list of bits that need doing.
- needs both sets of vanos seals replacing and solenoid checking
- both cam cover gaskets replacing
- drivers seat electrics not working
- some minor bodywork.



I got back late last night so this afternoon i set about on the biggest job the vanos.
The seal kit arrived while i was away

The engine before

under that M-power plenum

hear you can see all the oil that has got into the inlet past the failed seals.

it pulls it down the inlet tubes past the MAF's through the air filters and drips out of the bumper!
some more bits removed

thats all i have photos of at the min but i can keep you all upto date if there is interest.
sorry my fault.
so this is the new improved one
hear she is a 99 M5 silverstone blue just 3 owners and full history. but a nice list of bits that need doing.
- needs both sets of vanos seals replacing and solenoid checking
- both cam cover gaskets replacing
- drivers seat electrics not working
- some minor bodywork.



I got back late last night so this afternoon i set about on the biggest job the vanos.
The seal kit arrived while i was away

The engine before

under that M-power plenum

hear you can see all the oil that has got into the inlet past the failed seals.

it pulls it down the inlet tubes past the MAF's through the air filters and drips out of the bumper!
some more bits removed

thats all i have photos of at the min but i can keep you all upto date if there is interest.
the pic of the injectors flowing is in the test bench. the bath thing is the ultrasonic cleaner it pulses the injectors through a range of RMP speeds while they are submerged in cleaning fluid which has ultrasonic waves passed through it. looking at the amout of crap in the fluid after it works well.
i also replaced the fliter baskets in the injectors while they were out.
it made an improvement to the spray pattern and evened out the flow rates abit but they werent out by much.
i also replaced the fliter baskets in the injectors while they were out.
it made an improvement to the spray pattern and evened out the flow rates abit but they werent out by much.
The seals on the front side of the vanos units are prity easy with basic tools.
So ive changed those first. Fingers crossed its one of them causing the problem.
However ive ordered the seals for the "back" side of the units but they are not avalible for afew weeks.
These will require the removal of the vanos units from the car and so the timming chain will need to be droped off. Which is a much bigger job. BMW will tell you that you need all sorts of tools to do but it can be done withbut if care. Not a job to do on your drive unless your very brave i would think.
There is a lot of good info about doing this on line but if there is interest ill do a section on the rear seals when i get them in.
So ive changed those first. Fingers crossed its one of them causing the problem.
However ive ordered the seals for the "back" side of the units but they are not avalible for afew weeks.
These will require the removal of the vanos units from the car and so the timming chain will need to be droped off. Which is a much bigger job. BMW will tell you that you need all sorts of tools to do but it can be done withbut if care. Not a job to do on your drive unless your very brave i would think.
There is a lot of good info about doing this on line but if there is interest ill do a section on the rear seals when i get them in.
Honestherbert said:
ANYTHING is DIYable if you have the skills!
......and the time.As a man who recently changed the gearbox and diff on his car using nothing other than an engine beam, ropes and pulleys I have learnt the hard way that sometimes what’s possible and what’s sensible aren't always mutually inclusive.
I always thought the VANOS repair was a big money exercise, if not, I might change my mind about getting a cheap one of these as a general run about.
Edited by (steven) on Friday 31st August 21:02
[quote=(steven)]
......and the time.
As a man who recently changed the gearbox and diff on his car using nothing other than an engine beam, ropes and pulleys I have learnt the hard way that sometimes what’s possible and what’s sensible aren't always mutually inclusive.
I always thought the VANOS repair was a big money exercise, if not, I might change my mind about getting a cheap one of these as a general run about.
[/quote]
Err they're not cheap to run, be under no illusions about that! Parts cost more than a standard e39, fuel and general items all add up pretty quickly compare to something more pedestrian, even of you can handle the labour yourself. Put your foot down and head to a road you love and all that doesn't matter
great family bus an a laugh too.
......and the time.
As a man who recently changed the gearbox and diff on his car using nothing other than an engine beam, ropes and pulleys I have learnt the hard way that sometimes what’s possible and what’s sensible aren't always mutually inclusive.
I always thought the VANOS repair was a big money exercise, if not, I might change my mind about getting a cheap one of these as a general run about.
Edited by (steven) on Friday 31st August 21:02
[/quote]
Err they're not cheap to run, be under no illusions about that! Parts cost more than a standard e39, fuel and general items all add up pretty quickly compare to something more pedestrian, even of you can handle the labour yourself. Put your foot down and head to a road you love and all that doesn't matter
great family bus an a laugh too.update
my hopes of an easy fix are in tatters. yesterday it was all back together but somthing was not right.
by the sounds of it a chain tensioner has failed. which is extra fustrating as it was fine the other day and its a part iv not been near.
further investigation needed updates to follow.
my hopes of an easy fix are in tatters. yesterday it was all back together but somthing was not right.
by the sounds of it a chain tensioner has failed. which is extra fustrating as it was fine the other day and its a part iv not been near.
further investigation needed updates to follow.

Update time.
The hole thing is striped both heads off. And it's looking like I have a number of bent valves.
Upon checking the static timing was a little out but I and everyone els thats had a look can't see why.
Nothing was removed that could have affected it. The chain etc looks good.
Any way good excuse to do a proper job. New tensioners, chain, valves and gaskets etc. The vanos units have been sent to be inspected while there off. Although I'm sure their fine.
It's not been too bad to work on. Apart from getting the exhaust manifolds off.
I have more pics but will have to follow later.
The mist annoying thing is that no one can explain how it happened.
Oh well it will get there.
The hole thing is striped both heads off. And it's looking like I have a number of bent valves.
Upon checking the static timing was a little out but I and everyone els thats had a look can't see why.
Nothing was removed that could have affected it. The chain etc looks good.
Any way good excuse to do a proper job. New tensioners, chain, valves and gaskets etc. The vanos units have been sent to be inspected while there off. Although I'm sure their fine.
It's not been too bad to work on. Apart from getting the exhaust manifolds off.
I have more pics but will have to follow later.
The mist annoying thing is that no one can explain how it happened.
Oh well it will get there.
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king hell mate, ultrasonicly cleaned
,stunning car O.P, getting stuck right in i see, i must admit i thought the airbox was a cover not some sort of plenum, this has got the makings of a very good thread, bookmarked


