Major VANOS issues

[VovoMpower]

Hi All

I’m new to the forum and hopefully I’m doing this right. I’ve been battling with VANOS errors for the past three months and hopefully someone more knowledgeable out here can shed some info. The issue is as follows:

Car starts and idles fine up until the warm up period is through. Immediately after the warm up period, the check engine light is displayed. After pulling the codes through DIS, error codes 271A, 271B, 271C and 271D are present. These errors refer to VANOS control for both inlet and exhaust on both banks 1 and 2.

The following is what I have checked and tried so far with no success:

1. Replace all 4 VANOS solenoids
2. Replace all 4 VANOS adjuster Units
3. Checked continuity on entire cable loom ends
4. Sent in DME for hardware check. No faults found
5. Checked oil pressure, looks ok. 14psi at idle, and 73psi at about 4000RPM
6. Replaced rod bearings as they were due anyway. Minimal wear found
7. Voltage of all solenoid connectors are around 3volts at ignition on, during idle
8. Performed VANOS ventilation
9. Voltage of all solenoid connectors during VANOS ventilation is no more than 8,4Volts
10. Checked connections at Junction box
11. Replaced all four camshaft sensors
12. Replaced all four camshafts
13. Checked all vehicle grounding
14. Triple checked vehicle timing, on point

Vehicle is an E93 M3 2009

I’m almost pulling out my two grey hairs left, any advises will be appreciated

Regards

[GRM Scott]

Yikes, sound like you'e been fairly methodical, a few thought although I'm far from an expert:

You mention the warm-up period being fine and code free, can you hear the exhaust re-circulation flap (or whatever it's called) transitioning from the cold start mode to regular running? Could something in this system be stuck, keeping the car happy when it's cold but angering the ECU gods when things warm up and something doesn't line up?

[GRM Scott]

Also, are the timing chain and guides all in good shape?

[doogee]

Originally Posted by GRM Scott

Yikes, sound like you'e been fairly methodical, a few thought although I'm far from an expert:

You mention the warm-up period being fine and code free, can you hear the exhaust re-circulation flap (or whatever it's called) transitioning from the cold start mode to regular running? Could something in this system be stuck, keeping the car happy when it's cold but angering the ECU gods when things warm up and something doesn't line up?

We don't have any flaps in our exhaust. Cold start isn't really related to the codes.

Code is likely popping on when the computer switches into closed loop.

This is a strange one!

Did this engine ever have a bearing failure at some point in it's life?

[deansbimmer]

What oil are you running? And where are you taking the oil pressure readings from?

[GRM Scott]

Wow, that's all timing retardation and stuff making that racket on startup? What's the gentle motor whirring that comes right as the engine settles into its normal idle? I would have sworn that was some kind of exhaust valve by the sound. Learn something new every day!

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by GRM Scott

Yikes, sound like you'e been fairly methodical, a few thought although I'm far from an expert:

You mention the warm-up period being fine and code free, can you hear the exhaust re-circulation flap (or whatever it's called) transitioning from the cold start mode to regular running? Could something in this system be stuck, keeping the car happy when it's cold but angering the ECU gods when things warm up and something doesn't line up?

It’s driving me nuts. Once it has warmed up, idle fluctuations and secondary misfire codes on all cylinders are also thrown. I would imagine that this is due to the VANOS system not advancing the cams appropriately? At this stage I’m thinking DME software corruption perhaps? I’m waiting to pop in my DME and CAS into a mate’s S65 later today and see how it reacts. Will let you guys know how it goes

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by GRM Scott

Also, are the timing chain and guides all in good shape?

I haven’t actually teared down on these, but I would imagine that since timing is never lost, and no funny rackets are heard from those quarters, all is good? Engine is as smooth as butter during cold idle

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

What oil are you running? And where are you taking the oil pressure readings from?

I’m taking the reading from the oil pressure switch socket with oil pressure gauge. (Removing the switch and installing the gauge temporarily in its place to get the reading)

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

What oil are you running? And where are you taking the oil pressure readings from?

10w60 Castrol from BMW. Pondering at the thought of using thicker oil?

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by doogee

We don't have any flaps in our exhaust. Cold start isn't really related to the codes.

Code is likely popping on when the computer switches into closed loop.

This is a strange one!

Did this engine ever have a bearing failure at some point in it's life?

No bearing failure in its lifetime. I recently replaced all rod bearings whilst troubleshooting. I noticed a couple of shells had worn out, but I would say it’s normal wear, with no signs of issues with lubrication, oil quality or crank journals. There was no bearing knock either. I’ve attached a pic of the shells just for your info

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by VovoMpower

I’m waiting to pop in my DME and CAS into a mate’s S65 later today and see how it reacts. Will let you guys know how it goes

I doubt that effort will be worthwhile since I think at least the ECU is coded to the car.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I doubt that effort will be worthwhile since I think at least the ECU is coded to the car.

The car will start just fine with his DME, CAS and Key.

[Rajmun340]

Vovo you seem to mention abnormal idle in your second post. Could it simply be the idle control valve with the VANOS a misleading secondary consequence.

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by doogee

The car will start just fine with his DME, CAS and Key.

This is the theory I’m counting on, since the CAS is coded to the DME and vice-versa. I will let you guys know how it goes. I really appreciate all the inputs so far

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by Rajmun340

Vovo you seem to mention abnormal idle in your second post. Could it simply be the idle control valve with the VANOS a misleading secondary consequence.

That’s correct. Once the CEL is displayed and car goes into limp mode, idle fluctuates and errors on misfire for all cylinders are registered

The ICV is one thing I have not changed thus far. But I would imagine there would be an ICV specific error if it was faulty?

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by VovoMpower

That’s correct. Once the CEL is displayed and car goes into limp mode, idle fluctuates and errors on misfire for all cylinders are registered

The ICV is one thing I have not changed thus far. But I would imagine there would be an ICV specific error if it was faulty?

In the first thread i found on ICV people say there are no codes thrown so that's a possibility for solving your idle fluctuation ?

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by Rajmun340

In the first thread i found on ICV people say there are no codes thrown so that's a possibility for solving your idle fluctuation ?

Since we’ll be doing the DME test soon, I’ll definately give the ICV a shot also, should DME not be the issue. Will probably be easier and if no cost to test with my mate’s. Will let you know how it goes

[VovoMpower]

So guys, we tested my DME (with CAS) in another car (we’ll call it the test car), and unfortunately, the test car behaved normal, with no CEL, misfires or VANOS errors

We also borrowed the the test car’s ICV, and this did not make any difference in my car, so I’m basically back to square one, and have ran out of hairs to pull

Another thing I did notice yesterday, is that error 275F (maximum limit position intake bank 1) and error 2761 (maximum limit position intake bank 2) are the first two errors registered straight after startup, during the +-30 seconds of cold idle, before CEL. Errors 271A, 271B, 271C and 271D are secondary, which come up after CEL, post cold idle. Thereafter, the misfire errors are tertiary, after a couple of minutes of idle. The misfire errors are 2B4E, 2B42, 2B43, 2B44, 2B45, 2B46, 2B47, 2B48, 2B49

Any input out there is highly appreciated in advance!

[deansbimmer]

Can you post diag data or screenshots from the ISTA vanos test? What is it measuring in degrees when it throws the limit codes? Have you checked the main ground on the oil pan to chassis?

How many miles on this engine? Any other major engine work prior to this issue?

[VovoMpower]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Can you post diag data or screenshots from the ISTA vanos test? What is it measuring in degrees when it throws the limit codes? Have you checked the main ground on the oil pan to chassis?

How many miles on this engine? Any other major engine work prior to this issue?

My apology for the delayed response, a new born has just been added to the fam

Engine has 73k mileage on it. No major work in the past, except for the rod replacement I did 2 weeks ago

Attached are the diag data screenshots. My ISTA is messed up, so I used DIS for this one:

[deansbimmer]

It appears the VANOS isn't able to hold its positions. In the oil filter housing, is the cage present within the filter core? The cage should remain attached to the housing cap when removed.

There are X-Rings on each camshaft. There is also an O-ring on each VANOS adjuster where it slides over the cam. Were those inspected and/or replaced?