Slonik Vanos Hub Covers replacement

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by Move Over

Firing up another group buy. Same deal, 525 shipped. 10 slots available pm me if interested

Edit: GB is now sold out

I responded to your thread as well for a set.

[Move Over]

Originally Posted by Route 16

I responded to your thread as well for a set.

Group buy is sold out, I will post the next one here and on my thread

[drwankel]

Originally Posted by drwankel

Yep- I'm not totally convinced that something actually changed. I just noticed that someone mentioned this before I had mine changed, and I seem to have had improvement as well.

That being said, it hasn't been very much time here, and the weather has definitely gotten alot colder. Need more time to draw any definitive conclusions.

Nothing else was done during the job that I would think would have had any impact. Just valve covers, cam cover gaskets, spark plug tubes and plugs, and a power steering flush.

I'll report back in a few months once I get some more real world data here.

Just an update- I had the start up rattle return this morning. It is much warmer outside today than it has been over the past few weeks, so that probably has something to do with it.

[qskid28]

By any wild chance does somebody happen to have a spare set (4 pieces) of Slonik's covers within the US? My car just went into the shop today to get the valve covers and gaskets done (along with spark plug tubes and the plugs themselves). Just stumbled onto this thread and am wishing I saw it earlier.

[qskid28]

Originally Posted by drwankel

The carbahn solution does not use the washer, just bolt and steel cap, so no grinding needed. Clarified this on a call with them today.

Just realized that Carbahn is a pretty solid solution (thought I haven't seen one post on this thread with them) and they are local thankfully. Disregard my last post as I'll be running down to grab a set from them today.

Was on the phone with Carbahn and they recommended replacing that front bolt on the VANOS as well (that would hold the plate/cover)? They also recommended checking the timing (although noted that there is a lock for the timing so swapping these covers shouldn't mess with timing).

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by qskid28

Just realized that Carbahn is a pretty solid solution (thought I haven't seen one post on this thread with them) and they are local thankfully. Disregard my last post as I'll be running down to grab a set from them today.

Was on the phone with Carbahn and they recommended replacing that front bolt on the VANOS as well (that would hold the plate/cover)? They also recommended checking the timing (although noted that there is a lock for the timing so swapping these covers shouldn't mess with timing).

Different job to use Carbahns solution but Im sure they informed you. Also require special tools. Not the case with Slonik.

[qskid28]

Thanks for the heads up. Thankfully the shop that's working on my valve covers / gaskets / spark plugs currently have the tools to perform the Carbahn solution here.

Carbahn just mentioned their solution requires taking off that front mounting bolt so that their steel cap cover can be fitted on. Since that front bolt tends to "stretch" they also recommended replacing it. They also recommended that "since you're in there" one should also check the timing is in sync.

[Beemer892]

Originally Posted by qskid28

Thanks for the heads up. Thankfully the shop that's working on my valve covers / gaskets / spark plugs currently have the tools to perform the Carbahn solution here.

Carbahn just mentioned their solution requires taking off that front mounting bolt so that their steel cap cover can be fitted on. Since that front bolt tends to "stretch" they also recommended replacing it. They also recommended that "since you're in there" one should also check the timing is in sync.

Out of curiosity, what shop is doing your work? I am in SF as well and need my valve cover gaskets swapped out for new ones.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

I ordered them 3-4 days before the Black Friday sale and I asked Slon for a price adjustment and he gave me some kinda reply saying "different batches get different prices" and it's not possible to honor it. Anyways, it is what it is.
Slon has been known to have great products but terrible customer service. Not going to let the difference bother me.

I don't think it's fair to blame slon for that. I bought some A24 traps worth ~600 and they did a 25% sale the next week for Thanksgiving... tough luck for me. I didn't even ask for the discount to be applied retroactively.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I don't think it's fair to blame slon for that. I bought some A24 traps worth ~600 and they did a 25% sale the next week for Thanksgiving... tough luck for me. I didn't even ask for the discount to be applied retroactively.

But Slon didn't even ship them until a week later when Black Friday sale was happening. And I got them 1.5 months later due to the slow Russianpost shipping to Canada...

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

But Slon didn't even ship them until a week later when Black Friday sale was happening. And I got them 1.5 months later due to the slow Russianpost shipping to Canada...

Ha, yes that is weird customer service for a fact!

[Move Over]

Originally Posted by qskid28

Thanks for the heads up. Thankfully the shop that's working on my valve covers / gaskets / spark plugs currently have the tools to perform the Carbahn solution here.

Carbahn just mentioned their solution requires taking off that front mounting bolt so that their steel cap cover can be fitted on. Since that front bolt tends to "stretch" they also recommended replacing it. They also recommended that "since you're in there" one should also check the timing is in sync.

The only reason they say to check timing is to CYA (cover their ass in this case), timing will definitely need to be adjusted if you remove that front bolt. Hopefully the shop knows what they're doing, I wouldn't trust any of the shops to adjust timing on an s65 around me.

[Ajolives]

The TIS states to check timing after removing any component from the adjustment gears. And I agree, wouldn't trust too many places to do that. I was ready to do it myself (bought carbahn plates) then ate the cost after having a heart to heart with myself. Slon covers are easy peasy.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Heads up 2:

Zooming in closer on the pictures I received from the shop after the job, it's obviouos that the cover isn't placed correctly with the opening over the vanos spring end and its pins.

Blue arrow is where the tab isn't snapped on, with spring end below. Red arrow is opening where spring end should have been. All covers looks to be incorrectly mounted on the pictures.
There are four grooves in the vanos plate where the thick cover "control" tab could be squeezed into, but only one is correct. So everything has to come off again.

Brought all the material even incl drei bond and had a nice (detailed..) talk through with the guys, and still. Hence, if using a shop guide them carefully. If I only had a Deansbimmer or Marek shop over here...

Phew, car back after rework. Everything reused except for timing gaskets, month old so hopefully keeps dry, lets see after some driving. Looking forward to a proper spin during the weekend!

[Redd]

They double triple quadruple checked that all the clips were tight this time?

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Redd

They double triple quadruple checked that all the clips were tight this time?

Haha, I hope so! Mean waiting for quote update on the Arma. Noticed Arma Europe have bumped the price with 200€ so lets see what the dealer say.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by qskid28

Just realized that Carbahn is a pretty solid solution (thought I haven't seen one post on this thread with them) and they are local thankfully. Disregard my last post as I'll be running down to grab a set from them today.

Was on the phone with Carbahn and they recommended replacing that front bolt on the VANOS as well (that would hold the plate/cover)? They also recommended checking the timing (although noted that there is a lock for the timing so swapping these covers shouldn't mess with timing).

Can you report how this worked out?

[qskid28]

Unfortunately I, too, may just be eating the cost of the Carbahn covers. After having a discussion with my mechanic, he highly recommended not messing with anything that could potentially throw off the timing (which echoes most folks on the forums here). He did call out that the stock OEM (plastic) covers on there were in great condition so he said "maybe do it at your next VGC leak" haha. Looks like I'll just need to plan better for next time around. Until then, I'll keep an eye on it.

Sorry I couldn't report back with the actual Carbahn solution installed here.

[Battle]

Originally Posted by qskid28

Unfortunately I, too, may just be eating the cost of the Carbahn covers. After having a discussion with my mechanic, he highly recommended not messing with anything that could potentially throw off the timing (which echoes most folks on the forums here). He did call out that the stock OEM (plastic) covers on there were in great condition so he said "maybe do it at your next VGC leak" haha. Looks like I'll just need to plan better for next time around. Until then, I'll keep an eye on it.

Sorry I couldn't report back with the actual Carbahn solution installed here.

So I'm guessing slon would be the best option?

[Move Over]

Another set of 10 of these covers went out yesterday, thanks to all who participated!

[chaoqi]

Did anyone else order these direct from Slon but not receive them? I paid on Nov. 12 for the VANOS covers and DCT pan pack and they were supposed to be shipped the following week.

I received one box but only received the DCT pan pack. Now I can't seem to get a response from him about when the VANOS covers will arrive...

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by chaoqi

Did anyone else order these direct from Slon but not receive them? I paid on Nov. 12 for the VANOS covers and DCT pan pack and they were supposed to be shipped the following week.

I received one box but only received the DCT pan pack. Now I can't seem to get a response from him about when the VANOS covers will arrive...

Did you try Whatsapp on +7 926 591-51-18 mate? They've been responsive on this.