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      10-13-2021, 09:20 PM   #1
Audioslave686
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Slonik Vanos Hub Covers replacement

Well, I was under the impression that I know all about my car and possible issues, but BMW never stops surprising ��

Recently I was replacing the leaking valve cover gaskets and noticed a tiny crack in the vanos covers.



One of the covers was also misplaced a bit. I tried to move it back, but it cracked even more.



At that point I was glad that I noticed that “while I’m there” and I was going to order the new replacement covers.

I was literally shocked when I realized that you cannot buy them separately and the new vanoses will cost over $4k just in parts plus re-timing the engine which is barely a DIY. Used parts was not an option for me, as they will come with the same crappy plastic and unknown history. On top of that replacing a perfectly functional part is kind of ridiculous.

Then I found a Carbahn option with the washer covering the spring. Way less expensive than the new parts, however, will also require vanoses unbolting and using the timing tool.

After sharing it with my friends, I found out that slonik was working on some covers prototypes. He did not have any sets available, but he was willing to fabricate the set for me.
3-4 week of patiently waiting and I finally got it.
I was beyond impressed by the craftsmanship.







It is made of aluminum. Super light, super sturdy.
It’s just clicks in instead of OEM and you are good to go. No messing with vanos bolts, timing tool etc.

The fitment is perfect. All four covers had zero play after installation.
I will not go too deep into DIY details. All the steps are pretty much the same as valve cover gasket replacement. (The DIY could be found here: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1839655)
On top of that, you will need to remove 4 bolts of the front vanoses cover.
(do not forget to order the new gasket)



Remove the old plastic covers. The plastic is super brittle, use some cloth or towel to prevent the plastic pieces from falling inside the engine.



Once the old plastic cover removed, click the new aluminum cover on.

Few things to pay attention to:

- Larger gap needs to be placed on top of spring end.



- This pin helps you center the cover properly.



Once installed please make sure all the longer flaps seated properly.
It makes quite loud click when it clips in place.



i hope that will help.
after deep dive in this topic, i think it might be the new issue that the majority of E9X M3 owners will have to address at some point...
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Last edited by Audioslave686; 11-24-2021 at 10:56 AM.. Reason: added pictures separately
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      10-13-2021, 09:28 PM   #2
Audioslave686
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and yes, few pictures after the installation:







Attached Images
    

Last edited by Audioslave686; 11-24-2021 at 10:55 AM..
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      10-13-2021, 09:28 PM   #3
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Awesome job, this is a common issue and the slon/slonik stuff is always top notch!!
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      10-13-2021, 09:45 PM   #4
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How do we order this?
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      10-13-2021, 09:45 PM   #5
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Slonik Vanos Hub Covers replacement

Incredible! I just sent him a note. Thank you Audioslave686
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      10-13-2021, 09:48 PM   #6
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Cost? I'll likely snag one for when I do some other maintenance
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      10-13-2021, 10:02 PM   #7
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On orders and cost, please connect with slonik
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      10-13-2021, 10:06 PM   #8
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Audioslave686 , how did this end up costing?

This looks like something to do when the VC gaskets are being replaced.
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      10-13-2021, 10:14 PM   #9
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I looked into my Dinan stroker and it has the Dinan solution already.

My other E9X has 40k miles and will get this slonik goodies whenever I do the valve covers!
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      10-13-2021, 10:42 PM   #10
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If someone gets in touch with Slonik, mind ordering me a set? So if the oem
Covers are cracked, don't you have to remove the bolt to remover broken OEM covers?
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      10-13-2021, 10:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney View Post
If someone gets in touch with Slonik, mind ordering me a set? So if the oem
Covers are cracked, don't you have to remove the bolt to remover broken OEM covers?
Not really. The covers are not bolted on
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      10-13-2021, 10:50 PM   #12
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There's a couple solutions on the market for these cracking plastic VANOS covers. Carbahn has the flat steel washers which are bolted it. Deansbimmer has a machine steel cap which is also bolted in.

These Slonik caps are clipped on. Is the holding force pretty tight? I do like how they are very similar to stock and much easier to install, but the other bolted on solutions may be stronger.
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      10-13-2021, 10:55 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redd View Post
There's a couple solutions on the market for these cracking plastic VANOS covers. Carbahn has the flat steel washers which are bolted it. Deansbimmer has a machine steel cap which is also bolted in.

These Slonik caps are clipped on. Is the holding force pretty tight? I do like how they are very similar to stock and much easier to install, but the other bolted on solutions may be stronger.
It is super tight. I have zero concerns that it may come off
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      10-13-2021, 11:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Audioslave686 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney View Post
If someone gets in touch with Slonik, mind ordering me a set? So if the oem
Covers are cracked, don't you have to remove the bolt to remover broken OEM covers?
Not really. The covers are not bolted on
So then why does replacing them require removing the bolt?
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      10-13-2021, 11:57 PM   #15
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Thanks OP, great thread and solution!
May I ask what year and mileage your car is?
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      10-14-2021, 06:19 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Helmsman View Post
Thanks OP, great thread and solution!
May I ask what year and mileage your car is?
It's 2011 with 114000 miles on the clock.
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      10-14-2021, 08:28 AM   #17
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Take my money! Where/when can we order these?

As a machinist I appreciate the work and craftsmanship these required!
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      10-14-2021, 09:23 AM   #18
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Great Job. I will most probably get in 10 years but good to know there is a quick solution 🙌🏼
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      10-14-2021, 09:39 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Audioslave686 View Post
Well, I was under the impression that I know all about my car and possible issues, but BMW never stops surprising 😉

Recently I was replacing the leaking valve cover gaskets and noticed a tiny crack in the vanos covers.



One of the covers was also misplaced a bit. I tried to move it back, but it cracked even more.



At that point I was glad that I noticed that “while I’m there” and I was going to order the new replacement covers.

I was literally shocked when I realized that you cannot buy them separately and the new vanoses will cost over $4k just in parts plus re-timing the engine which is barely a DIY. Used parts was not an option for me, as they will come with the same crappy plastic and unknown history. On top of that replacing a perfectly functional part is kind of ridiculous.

Then I found a Carbahn option with the washer covering the spring. Way less expensive than the new parts, however, will also require vanoses unbolting and using the timing tool.

After sharing it with my friends, I found out that slonik was working on some covers prototypes. He did not have any sets available, but he was willing to fabricate the set for me.
3-4 week of patiently waiting and it I finally got it.
I was beyond impressed by the craftsmanship.







It is made of aluminum. Super light, super sturdy.
It’s just clicks in instead of OEM and you are good to go. No messing with vanos bolts, timing tool etc.

The fitment is perfect. All four covers had zero play after installation.
I will not go too deep into DIY details. All the steps are pretty much the same as valve cover gasket replacement. (The DIY could be found here: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1839655)
On top of that, you will need to remove 4 bolts of the front vanoses cover.
(do not forget to order the new gasket)



Remove the old plastic covers. The plastic is super brittle, use some cloth or towel to prevent the plastic pieces from falling inside the engine.



Once the old plastic cover removed, click the new aluminum cover on.

Few things to pay attention to:

- Larger gap needs to be placed on top of spring end.



- This pin helps you to center the cover properly.



Once installed please make sure all the longer flaps seated properly.
It makes quite loud click when it clicks in place.



i hope that will help.
after deep dive in this topic, i think i might be the new issue that the majority of E9X M3 owners will have to address at some point...
I’m sure you’re getting blown up about this by now, but wanted to ask how you got in contact with slonik, I’d love to buy a set of these covers, don’t mind the wait period, but I can’t figure out how to contact them haha, any help would be appreciated! 🙏🏽
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      10-14-2021, 09:44 AM   #20
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Slons email:

taburchin@mail.ru
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      10-14-2021, 10:03 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Anthony View Post
I’m sure you’re getting blown up about this by now, but wanted to ask how you got in contact with slonik, I’d love to buy a set of these covers, don’t mind the wait period, but I can’t figure out how to contact them haha, any help would be appreciated! 🙏🏽
you can also try his IG:
Slon_workshop
https://instagram.com/slon_workshop?...dium=copy_link
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      10-14-2021, 10:09 AM   #22
Audioslave686
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney View Post
So then why does replacing them require removing the bolt?
i guess there is some kind of a confusion.
the only time you need to remove the bolt is when you replace the vanos unit as a whole or installing Carbahn washer.
this specific solution is clipped on and does not require removing the vanos bolts.

Last edited by Audioslave686; 10-14-2021 at 10:14 AM..
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