VANOS Cover Cups for S65, by Mporium

[deansbimmer]

For several years our shop Mporium BMW Service has offered a permanent solution to the failure prone plastic VANOS spring covers. Until now these components have only been offered internally for our own shop's engine work and in-house customer repairs. In light of the increasing interest in vanos repairs we have decided to make our humble product available to the world. These are the original "cup" design that is now being copied by other vendors. To date, our product is installed in thousands of engines worldwide and as the originator is trusted as the pioneer of this design.


The original adjusters have a plastic cap which serves a simple function- to cover and retain the adjuster’s coil spring. This spring helps returns the cam position to its end point when oil pressure is absent so that it may lock in place for correct startup timing. It also serves to buffer and smooth cam movement when in operation and augment adjustment performance against cam drag in timing advancement. It is important to maintain this spring’s function.


As these engines age and the original VANOS adjuster plastic caps become brittle and fall apart, this causes several critical concerns. Most obvious is the debris from the original caps falling into the oil sump and causing blockage of the oil pump pickups. In the worst cases this can cause oil starvation and engine failure. With the cap covers missing from the VANOS adjusters, the springs are no longer retained properly against the adjuster body and risk “walking” forward on their locating pins and eventually coming free. This may not always result in faults or obvious running issues but has been proven to be the cause of broken internal VANOS rotors and spring contact with the engine timing case and valve cover which results in additional metal shavings being introduced into the engine. It is critical to maintain spring retention and unfortunately these plastic caps are not available separately from BMW.


Our design is simple but unique when compared to clip-on solutions in that the "cup" is held completely captive under the VANOS’ central bolt. Completely streamlined, it is impossible for it to come loose or break apart. There are no clips to ensure are installed correctly or which might come loose. For this application, a captive design is absolutely preferable for long term reliability as it leaves no chance that the spring cover can come loose, vibrate free, or fatigue and fail as has been observed multiple times with clip-on caps. More refined than oversize washer discs, our "cup" design fully encompasses the VANOS spring in a more OE fashion. We believe our solution is the best option available for this application and is ideally installed during engine assembly or top-end work such as camshaft replacement or valve cover service.

*Customized laser engraving is also available. This is often requested if you’re installing custom cams and want the specifications engraved.

Details:

• Original design only from Mporium in Texas
• CNC lathe cut from hardened Chromoly steel.
• Replaces original plastic cover AND central bolt washer.
• Does not interfere with factory internal parts or valve covers
• Inherently prone to perfect balance due to precision center bore interface with central bolt.
• Streamlined and low drag - does not leave spring parts exposed.
• Customized laser engraving is available.

NOTE: This permanent fix requires releasing the VANOS central bolts with the cams locked while at #1 TDC. Timing must be checked after installation, and we recommend considering this job during renewal or replacement of the valve covers. Luckily, the S65 is one of the easiest BMW ///M engines in which to set cam timing.

The following OEM parts must be replaced during installation:
(4) 11367840998 Central Bolt
(4) 11367839292 Vanos O-Rings
(2) 11317507432 Crush washers (at tensioners)
(2) 11127838162 Access cover gaskets


We offer this upgrade in two ways:

VANOS cups only: Four (4) cups for $389 shipped (standard/ground). Worldwide FedEx express shipping is available.

VANOS cups with install kit: Four (4) cups, + required OEM parts (listed above) for $499

USA orders can be made on our site. Worldwide Priority shipping is $50. Please email us or send me a PM and we will forward an invoice.

Order on our site:
https://mporiumbmw.com/product/mpori...-2008-2013-m3/

TOOLS:
We also offer rental of the S65 timing tools for $99 per week (7 calendar days). We have several tool sets available on a first come first serve basis. $200 tool deposit is refunded with timely return. Tool rental not available for international orders. 7 day rental period starts on day of tool delivery as verified by tracking number. Return shipment of tool must be confirmed as in the possession of shipping service via tracking by end of next business day after day 7 to avoid assessment of additional rental period and/or forfeiture of tool deposit. Tool rental includes printed and laminated instructions for engine timing/checking from BMW’s TIS documents. We do not accept any liability for incorrect use of tooling or improper installation resulting in any property damage. We do not offer technical support for installation by unqualified individuals.

[deansbimmer]

Our cups are in stock ready to ship!

As a special option you can specify to add custom text to each cover. Great if you're a shop or want custom cams noted on the cover. As we have our laser on-site it doesn't add any lead-time.

[Assimilator1]

Fantastic looking product, tempted to buy your cups myself, especially seeing as I'm leaving the Suzuki dealer soon to work at a BMW one! (they should have the special tools! ).

One question, you mention here (and on your eBay advert) - A captive design is preferable for long term reliability as it leaves no chance that it can come loose, vibrate free, or fatigue and fail as has been observed with clip-on caps

Are you referring just to the OEM plastic ones or the metal aftermarket ones too? If both, do you have any evidence of the metal ones failing? If so I'd like to see photos of that (as I'm considering the clip on ones to save time). If not, you ought to clarify your advert.
If this isn't the place to ask, please direct me to where, or create/ask me to create a new thread.
Cheers
Mark D. (a previous customer of yours).

[CHE///MIST3]

Very nice solution ! They look robust, too.

GM

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

One question, you mention here (and on your eBay advert) - A captive design is preferable for long term reliability as it leaves no chance that it can come loose, vibrate free, or fatigue and fail as has been observed with clip-on caps

Are you referring just to the OEM plastic ones or the metal aftermarket ones too? If both, do you have any evidence of the metal ones failing? If so I'd like to see photos of that (as I'm considering the clip on ones to save time).

It's well documented that the plastic ones fail and yes, there have apparently been a number of cases where the aftermarket metal clip-on covers have come loose- either by installation issues or other. Those cases were noted by owners on social media.

[charliev68]

Have had experience with all 3 types. By far, Mporium is the best solution! The best peace of mind for never coming off and not too heavy and thick on the cam adjusters.

[Fooksdaddy]

How much to have you guys install? And approximate turnaround?

[charliev68]

Originally Posted by Fooksdaddy

How much to have you guys install? And approximate turnaround?

You can do it yourself. It’s pretty satisfying once you get the hang of it. You’re gonna need the cam lock tool. It can be done in about 2hrs.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Fooksdaddy

How much to have you guys install? And approximate turnaround?

When we do these in our shop, they're almost always done in conjunction with new valve covers and seals. It takes advantage of the massive labor overlap. We only add 1hr labor to the overall job scope when done that way.

[Fooksdaddy]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

When we do these in our shop, they're almost always done in conjunction with new valve covers and seals. It takes advantage of the massive labor overlap. We only add 1hr labor to the overall job scope when done that way.

Appreciate the response, I literally just did the valve covers and the “other” vanos clip on retainers in the garage.

[MAE90M3]

Do you no longer have the option to include the other parts(bolts, etc)? I don’t see it on your site.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by MAE90M3

Do you no longer have the option to include the other parts(bolts, etc)? I don’t see it on your site.

I don't have them on the site, I can send a Paypal invoice for them.
We're working on revamping the site with better e-commerce.

[pyhee]

Thank you for providing this option! I want to give this a try because I am going to to the valve stem seal replacement (to fix oil consumption) and the VANOS gears have to be removed anyway. This is a good timing to improve the cover, I believe.

[deansbimmer]

We have revamped our website and catalog. These are available for purchase from our site, including the "Install Kit"!

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

[deansbimmer]

As all have observed some reporting their clip-on vanos covers coming loose or failing, here is a big reason why.

The front plate component of the VANOS adjuster is not positively located radially by pins or dowels during initial assembly. As a result, every now and then we see the edge of this plate not extending past the VANOS body enough for a positive engagement of the clip-on cover tangs. It makes no difference to the unit's cam-timing function, but this lack of engagement can ultimately lead to failure of the cover's attachment.

On dozens of adjusters, we see situations like the below pictured unit. It is one of the primary reasons we have customers and shops contact us with their horror stories and switch to our fully captured "Cups". Since they don't rely on that type of clip-on interface, they cannot come loose over time.

[Assimilator1]

Atm I don't buy that metal clip on covers that are, and can clip on properly in the first place later come loose.
The OEM plastic ones don't until they distort or crack up, so why should (stronger) metal ones? (again I'm referring to ones that were clipped on properly in the first place).

So far I haven't seen any reports of metal covers coming off, except where they hadn't been clipped on properly in the first place. That said, I haven't gone around hunting for such reports....

Re your photo above, I'm not sure what your referring to in that. Is it that the 2nd 'disc' down (immediately underneath the spring) is off centre?

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

So far I haven't seen any reports of metal covers coming off, except where they hadn't been clipped on properly in the first place. That said, I haven't gone around hunting for such reports....

Re your photo above, I'm not sure what your referring to in that. Is it that the 2nd 'disc' down (immediately underneath the spring) is off centre?

Correct, the disc that the spring coil sits on is not centered on the gear body. The plastic caps seem to tolerate these imperfections and remain attached. Perhaps it's one reason why BMW specified plastic to begin with?

I'm fairly certain we don't hear much after-the-fact about failed aluminum caps because nobody likes to advertise having made a poor decision. They want to fix it and move on. Hindsight is 20/20. I have numerous emails from owners who either:

-Suffered some type of complication or failure related to clip-on caps and converted to captured type;
-Found that their clip on caps don't securely install due to the above defect, who reached out to me for technical advice because they couldn't reach or find solution with the clip on cap seller.

[Assimilator1]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Correct, the disc that the spring coil sits on is not centered on the gear body. The plastic caps seem to tolerate these imperfections and remain attached. Perhaps it's one reason why BMW specified plastic to begin with?

I'm fairly certain we don't hear much after-the-fact about failed aluminum caps because nobody likes to advertise having made a poor decision. They want to fix it and move on. Hindsight is 20/20. I have numerous emails from owners who either:

-Suffered some type of complication or failure related to clip-on caps and converted to captured type;
-Found that their clip on caps don't securely install due to the above defect, who reached out to me for technical advice because they couldn't reach or find solution with the clip on cap seller.

Hmm, interesting, but wouldn't the spring tension of the clip on covers pull the disc to ctr anyway?

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

Hmm, interesting, but wouldn't the spring tension of the clip on covers pull the disc to ctr anyway?

No, the disc is torqued down to the rotor body when initially assembled and is fixed (see torx screws under the spring). If it's not centered then, its not going to get centered unless it gets disassembled and aligned. We do that when we rebuild the Vanos adjusters.