E92 M3 S65 VANOS issues

[igM3NACER]

Has anyone had any VANOS issues on the s65 e92 m3..? I have literally looked everywhere... and i seem to be the only one... have a CEL for Vanos maximum position exhaust bank 2.
The fuel economy and performance sucks... rough idle at times so i replaced plugs n still was bad.
Went to a BMW dealer and had it checked and was quoted 6k.....
Ultimately, they said both vanos Exhaust bank units have to be replaced because they aren't able to reach specs. So they stated that they recommend to remove both valve covers, and replace vanos units for both banks.
Has anyone had this problem ive looked everywhere for answers.

[deansbimmer]

VANOS are difficult for shops to diagnose, . 8 times out of ten it's not an issue with the actual VANOS adjusters themselves but another component like the solenoid, seal, recta-ring, or oil supply. Unfortunately though, we can't really help diagnose your issue without a LOT more information on the faults, screen shots, ISTA test results, etc.

Its even more unlikely that both exhaust VANOS adjusters need to be replaced on both banks. At best it sounds like this shop is following directions on the ISTA-D test module but really just throwing parts at it.

The VANOS adjusters are incredibly simple components for what they do. No seals or internal gaskets. Their metal to metal internal rotors come with very precise clearances. IF there is an issue with the units themselves, it's almost always due to debris buildup (copper and iron) which limit or slow the rotor movement enough to throw faults. Only a couple of times have I seen a VANOS adjuster that actually had broken internal parts. One had a giant chunk of carbon between the rotors and couldn't reach limit.

I'd try another shop, maybe one with more S65 specific experience.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

VANOS are difficult for shops to diagnose, . 8 times out of ten it's not an issue with the actual VANOS adjusters themselves but another component like the solenoid, seal, recta-ring, or oil supply. Unfortunately though, we can't really help diagnose your issue without a LOT more information on the faults, screen shots, ISTA test results, etc.

Its even more unlikely that both exhaust VANOS adjusters need to be replaced on both banks. At best it sounds like this shop is following directions on the ISTA-D test module but really just throwing parts at it.

The VANOS adjusters are incredibly simple components for what they do. No seals or internal gaskets. Their metal to metal internal rotors come with very precise clearances. IF there is an issue with the units themselves, it's almost always due to debris buildup (copper and iron) which limit or slow the rotor movement enough to throw faults. Only a couple of times have I seen a VANOS adjuster that actually had broken internal parts. One had a giant chunk of carbon between the rotors and couldn't reach limit.

I'd try another shop, maybe one with more S65 specific experience.

your wisdom is priceless to the community C. thank you for your posts.

[jcolley]

Another thing is to get *all* the codes.

Sometimes when a cam position sensor is acting up, the DME disregards the cam position and uses an "ersatz" value for cam position. When the "sollwert" (commanded) VANOS position is too far from the "istwert" (actual) position, the DME flags the error. However, since the ersatz value isn't changing, the fault logic for the DME flags it as a position error when in actuality it may be unrelated.

[igM3NACER]

Only fault code im getting is 2762 VANOS maximum stop outlet bank 2
I have some attached notes from dealer if this helps

[peter de la mare]

Following this thread, as I have a similar issue just appearing this week. I wonder if my faults are all related.

[Solo_M_Tech]

I've seen 1 S65 vanos unit failure, bank 2, exhaust. It was, again, due to debris getting trapped inside the adjuster unit. Same codes thrown as the OP.

Solenoid failures usually throw activation codes if they are electrically faulty.

It's entirely possible you have a failed vanos adjustment unit, but to replace all 4, I wouldn't. They are pretty robust and simple and RARELY fail.

[GORDON.M3]

the s65 is a low-pressure vanos system not like the one found in the s85.
the s85 has vanos issues quite often and normal with higher mileage.
the s65 issues normally get resolved when replacing the solenoids.

[jcolley]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

the s65 is a low-pressure vanos system not like the one found in the s85.
the s85 has vanos issues quite often and normal with higher mileage.
the s65 issues normally get resolved when replacing the solenoids.

99% of S85 vanos problems are caused by debris. While there is the occasional high pressure pump damned by being towed and rolling the engine in the wrong direction, the rest of the HP pump failures and solenoid failures are a result of fouling. There is .0001" clearance in the VANOS solenoid between the spool and cartridge bore and the relatively soft bearing swarf gets trapped in the middle causing excessive drag on the spool. This causes the DME to "hunt" in finding the target value of the spool and erratic operation of advance and retard.

I've never seen a single failure of a vanos cam drive gear or then vanos actuators themselves fortunately.

It's not at much a function of mileage, but more a function of bearing health. They are usually the first warning sign of a spun bearing.

[igM3NACER]

Tryed replacing solenoid on bank 2 and fault still remained.

[nate122]

Does your car go into limp mode each drive?
Mines intermittent and only occasionally hiccups during cold start
Mine threw a p0015 vanos bank 1 exhaust over-retarted.

11 m3 dct @ 60k
Just ordered it from fcp. I'm about to replace and see if it fixes the issue.

[igM3NACER]

You ordered what? The solenoid for bank 1? Cuz i tryed that for my issue still remained. I was told i had to replace the vanos unit on exhaust bank 2🤦🏽*♂️ but i cant find that part ANYWHERE

[nate122]

Yup.. exactly what I bought.

Mine just started acting up and it only happens once every 6-10 cold starts..

[igM3NACER]

Hopefully the solenoid fixes your issue. It didn't fix mine... im trying to find the vanos unit for exhaust bank 2 but cant find it anywhere. N got quoted $2k for that repair.

[LangRacingDevelopment]

The VANOS test results seem to indicate the cam sensors are working properly. There should be some more pages to that VANOS test result, usually there's about 4 screens that pop up when running the VANOS test with ISTA. Did the dealer provide any more paperwork than what you posted there?

[igM3NACER]

Originally Posted by LangRacingDevelopment

The VANOS test results seem to indicate the cam sensors are working properly. There should be some more pages to that VANOS test result, usually there's about 4 screens that pop up when running the VANOS test with ISTA. Did the dealer provide any more paperwork than what you posted there?

Nope, just that. And quoting me that all units need to be replaced..
im thinking its just a timing issue, since another shop noted that vanos position on exhaust bank 2 was at 120.8 and should be 129.

[GORDON.M3]

has the engine been rebuilt before?

[igM3NACER]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

has the engine been rebuilt before?

Engine failed, and had to fix affected parts. So somewhat rebuilt

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by igM3NACER

Engine failed, and had to fix affected parts. So somewhat rebuilt

Engine failed? That's a bit of a major detail to leave out.

If that means bearings then this becomes a whole different issue and you probably do need to replace the VANOS parts. Once failed bearings send debris throughout the oil system you need to rebuild or replace just about everything that comes into contact with oil. Otherwise you'll see issues like this pop up randomly down the road as the debris circulates and locks things up.

[igM3NACER]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Engine failed? That's a bit of a major detail to leave out.

If that means bearings then this becomes a whole different issue and you probably do need to replace the VANOS parts. Once failed bearings send debris throughout the oil system you need to rebuild or replace just about everything that comes into contact with oil. Otherwise you'll see issues like this pop up randomly down the road as the debris circulates and locks things up.

Wasn't because of Bearings that engine failed, secondary air pump failed n blew up basically n engine caught on fire

[bigjae1976]

Oh god...I'm sure every S54 owner is like...NOT AGAIN!!!

Sub'd for the excellent info so far...

[B34MR_BOY]

Hey I’m having the same issue on my e92 M3 replaced vanos solenoids even swapped them from bank 1 and bank 2 (Bank 2 being the fault) I was quoted $3k by a bmw shop and they stated the vanos unit needs to be replaced, although it seems a simple enough diy job to replace the cam phaser I’d like to know if you fixed the problem.