Vanos cover plate condition

[v8mate90]

With 84k miles on the clock I'm starting to think about replacing the plastic vanos cover plates with metal ones. I just looked at the cover on the passenger side by peeking through the oil fill hole and the plastic looks pretty healthy.

Is there any way to determine if the cover plates are in decent condition without removing the valve covers?

Thank you!

[spammysammich]

You could take your vanos cover plates off but then you’re disrupting the valve cover seals and have to reseal the plates anyway. At least one forum member has and successfully resealed but those plates have to come off when you replace the vanos caps. Is there a way of checking them all without performing extra work? Not really.

[CamasM3e93]

I first did the snap-on option myself. The plastic covers had 130k miles on them and looked perfect….until I went at them with a pick. They were so brittle I don’t feel confident at all that they would have lasted left unaddressed despite appearing perfect. I later had a shop do the Carbahn washer-style covers when the snap on cover issues started showing up. So if you have the means, just address them.

[BimmerRob08]

I went with the EVOLVE metal caps out of the UK, US distributer. Best option would be to go with the bolt on but that requires the proper tooling, timing, etc. The Evolve caps are the best of the design for caps. Subjective claim but from my researching, seem to be the better option. Might as well replace the valve covers also during this job as the paint blisters and gets into your oil. Or have them sand blasted and repaint the outside only. Do some diggin online about the caps and valve covers. Good luck.

[v8mate90]

Thanks all! Appreciate the insight on this. Do the snap-on cover issues involve the tolerances not being tight enough and there being movement of the covers that results in them snapping out of place?

[v8mate90]

Also wondering why not just replace the plastic vanos covers with the same OEM plastic covers? Mine have clearly lasted 80k. A new set would likely outlast the life of the car. See no reason to install the metal snapon ones or the more complex washer ones that require timing tools.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by v8mate90

Also wondering why not just replace the plastic vanos covers with the same OEM plastic covers? Mine have clearly lasted 80k. A new set would likely outlast the life of the car. See no reason to install the metal snapon ones or the more complex washer ones that require timing tools.

They aren’t available separately, or at least weren’t a couple years ago. You have to buy the vanos unit as a whole to get them

[v8mate90]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

They aren’t available separately, or at least weren’t a couple years ago. You have to buy the vanos unit as a whole to get them

That's a shame! I guess metal snap-on covers is the move.
Thanks for the info.

[KawBoy]

I think I am still good with 50k miles on mine, but when the time comes, I'll go with deansbimmer. More work, sure, but do it only once.

[deansbimmer]

The plastic covers are not available from BMW separately.
There are plenty of examples of clip-on covers coming loose or failing. Our captured design was around a long time before SLON came up with the much copied clip-on design. The captured design is impossible to come loose over time.

https://mporiumbmw.com/product/mpori...-2008-2013-m3/

[v8mate90]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

The plastic covers are not available from BMW separately.
There are plenty of examples of clip-on covers coming loose or failing. Our captured design was around a long time before SLON came up with the much copied clip-on design. The captured design is impossible to come loose over time.

https://mporiumbmw.com/product/mpori...-2008-2013-m3/

This will require timing tools and is more involved than just the clip on solution, right?

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by v8mate90

This will require timing tools and is more involved than just the clip on solution, right?

Yes, the captured bolt on designs require additional steps, it's why the results are permanent and more proven than clip on type.

[KawBoy]

Hey Dean,

Could you send me the procedure so I can start digesting the job?

Thanks.

[Johnny E92]

Watch this YouTube video from M539, he uses the Mporium Vanos covers and shows you how they get installed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuXp8QnWoU

[Honda]

Originally Posted by Johnny E92

Watch this YouTube video from M539, he uses the Mporium Vanos covers and shows you how they get installed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuXp8QnWoU

That is just too much work to just replace Vanos covers!

I am surprised BMW doesn't sell covers separately. I thought every part bolted on is sold by BMW parts department.

Also not sure why all vendors decided to make metal Vaons covers. I still prefer to have a plastic cover not metal

[spammysammich]

BMW plastics? Thats what got us here in the first place.

[spammysammich]

The other models with this type of variator have metal covers.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by Honda

That is just too much work to just replace Vanos covers!

I am surprised BMW doesn't sell covers separately. I thought every part bolted on is sold by BMW parts department.

Also not sure why all vendors decided to make metal Vaons covers. I still prefer to have a plastic cover not metal

These are 15 year old cars now, they are stocking less and less year by year. And why plastic? Plastic deteriorates with heat, age, oil and centrifugal forces. Where as metal performs a lot better in these environments.

[v8mate90]

Originally Posted by Johnny E92

Watch this YouTube video from M539, he uses the Mporium Vanos covers and shows you how they get installed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuXp8QnWoU

Tune in around the 50 minute mark to see the installation process.

I'm with Honda. I'd rather replace a plastic cover every 60k miles than have to use specialty timing tools to install a permanent metal solution. Only time I'd choose a more expensive and complicated solution is if I was already performing some other service that complimented the additional maintenance I was considering.

[Johnny E92]

Originally Posted by v8mate90

I'm with Honda. I'd rather replace a plastic cover every 60k miles than have to use specialty timing tools to install a permanent metal solution. Only time I'd choose a more expensive and complicated solution is if I was already performing some other service that complimented the additional maintenance I was considering.

I’m getting valve covers, spark plug tubes, throttle actuators and plenum rubbers done so it makes sense for me to get the Mporium Vanos covers done at the same time

[darren p.]

Originally Posted by v8mate90

I'm with Honda. I'd rather replace a plastic cover every 60k miles than have to use specialty timing tools to install a permanent metal solution. Only time I'd choose a more expensive and complicated solution is if I was already performing some other service that complimented the additional maintenance I was considering.

Just got an NRW wrinkle red valve cover set. She's got 156k miles and vanos covers have never been changed according to service history I have from previous owners. Perfect time to do cams and valve springs along with the Carbahn or M-Porium covers! Anything else "while I'm in there"?

[Johnny E92]

Originally Posted by darren p.

Just got an NRW wrinkle red valve cover set. She's got 156k miles and vanos covers have never been changed according to service history I have from previous owners. Perfect time to do cams and valve springs along with the Carbahn or M-Porium covers! Anything else "while I'm in there"?

If your throttle actuators haven’t been done, might be worth considering them too while you have the plenum off etc.