Cracked Vanos Hub Cover

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Etansinsta

You won’t find them posted on the website but I phoned and was able to acquire a set.

I mentioned they should post them as I knew of nearly 10 people that were looking for a set.

Thanks I shall be giving them a call.

[Etansinsta]

Originally Posted by Redd

Thanks I shall be giving them a call.

Keep us posted if you are able to get a set!

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Etansinsta

Keep us posted if you are able to get a set!

Will do! Was there someone in particular you spoke to at Carbahn?

[Etansinsta]

Originally Posted by Redd

Will do! Was there someone in particular you spoke to at Carbahn?

I believe the invoice had a name on it - Chris, if i recall.

[MidnightM3]

Called, spoke to Chris and placed an order for a set. They just built (3) S65 motors that their remaining stock went to, but are in the process of creating another run now. The covers are heat treated and well worth the peace of mind. I'm going to replace the flimsy plastic covers and upgrade to these covers during my next maintenance. The plastic covers cracking and getting chewed up recently caused another S65 motor to let go after clogging up the pickup.

[motorhead_02]

Originally Posted by MidnightM3

Called, spoke to Chris and placed an order for a set. They just built (3) S65 motors that their remaining stock went to, but are in the process of creating another run now. The covers are heat treated and well worth the peace of mind. I'm going to replace the flimsy plastic covers and upgrade to these covers during my next maintenance. The plastic covers cracking and getting chewed up recently caused another S65 motor to let go after clogging up the pickup.

Originally Posted by MidnightM3

Called, spoke to Chris and placed an order for a set. They just built (3) S65 motors that their remaining stock went to, but are in the process of creating another run now. The covers are heat treated and well worth the peace of mind. I'm going to replace the flimsy plastic covers and upgrade to these covers during my next maintenance. The plastic covers cracking and getting chewed up recently caused another S65 motor to let go after clogging up the pickup.

Did the same, ordered set.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by MidnightM3

Called, spoke to Chris and placed an order for a set. They just built (3) S65 motors that their remaining stock went to, but are in the process of creating another run now. The covers are heat treated and well worth the peace of mind. I'm going to replace the flimsy plastic covers and upgrade to these covers during my next maintenance. The plastic covers cracking and getting chewed up recently caused another S65 motor to let go after clogging up the pickup.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll be ordering a set.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Ajolives

So I've decided to tackle this one in my garage. I've already started to buy the necessary equipment and parts; also decided this is a great time to replace my disgusting LH valve cover.

Doing plenty of reading up and reviewing the procedures from BMW, and will try my hand at a DIY thread (with this one linked) to try and give back to the forum which continues to help me out anytime I got a question.

Thanks to everyone and their feedback, especially Etansinsta! I'm super grateful I came across this post!

Hej Ajolives, curious how this went? Can't seem to find mentioned DIY.

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Hej Ajolives, curious how this went? Can't seem to find mentioned DIY.

It went horribly to be honest. They're still broke and in the car; just ordered a set of Carbahn washers ready for round II.

Long story short I tried going the cheap route (without knowledge of the washers) and sourced used units with the help of OP. They seemed trustworthy but at the end of the day i couldn't throw them in my car in fear of them being no better than what i already have. The shop would remove the covers to check out the condition of the spring and then reinstall. This made them a tad bit flimsy, (i could rotate the cover on the unit ever so slightly) while my cracked ones seemed tighter believe it or not (weren't rotating much if not at all). The caps have 5 contact points each and all of mine were engaged. I did replace Bank 1's exhaust cover with one of the used units because I accidentally cracked it more by being an idiot.

I buttoned everything back up, replaced Bank 2's valve cover; all the hardware and gaskets too. I'm assuming i dont have to replace everything again seeing its been a short time since. Still have the timing tools which you do in fact need to replace the center bolt while not losing timing, or so I've been told.

My uneducated opinion is that these have been cracked for a long time and i guarantee theres many more out there to be discovered. I didnt know my exhaust cover was broke two weeks after finding out the inlet was broke - it all depends on where the camshafts end up when the ignition is turned off. I would check every time after i drive and would have to start/stop a couple times to get the proper rotation to check the cracks because theyd be at 6 oclock or wherever you couldnt see. And I doubt people are checking their oil caps to look anyways. End of the day, i see this as yet another ticking time bomb for our beloved cars...If theyre cracked its not the end of the world but you are on borrowed time.

[Redd]

My friend recently bought a used M3. After a month, timing errors appeared. Turns out he was missing the VANOS covers on one whole bank and one of the springs was coming loose. Hopefully this is the warning sign before the spring pops out entirely. He got a used set from Prussian Motors - gears and cover - and its been running fine since.

[StripclubDJ]

This just happened to a close friend of mine
130k miles on the motor
Turned into almost full race car

Drove to track
Second season oil light came on

Motor was done instantly, timing chain ate the bank one exhaust cap ,plugged the pick up
The rest is history

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Ajolives

It went horribly to be honest. They're still broke and in the car; just ordered a set of Carbahn washers ready for round II.

Long story short I tried going the cheap route (without knowledge of the washers) and sourced used units with the help of OP. They seemed trustworthy but at the end of the day i couldn't throw them in my car in fear of them being no better than what i already have. The shop would remove the covers to check out the condition of the spring and then reinstall. This made them a tad bit flimsy, (i could rotate the cover on the unit ever so slightly) while my cracked ones seemed tighter believe it or not (weren't rotating much if not at all). The caps have 5 contact points each and all of mine were engaged. I did replace Bank 1's exhaust cover with one of the used units because I accidentally cracked it more by being an idiot.

I buttoned everything back up, replaced Bank 2's valve cover; all the hardware and gaskets too. I'm assuming i dont have to replace everything again seeing its been a short time since. Still have the timing tools which you do in fact need to replace the center bolt while not losing timing, or so I've been told.

My uneducated opinion is that these have been cracked for a long time and i guarantee theres many more out there to be discovered. I didnt know my exhaust cover was broke two weeks after finding out the inlet was broke - it all depends on where the camshafts end up when the ignition is turned off. I would check every time after i drive and would have to start/stop a couple times to get the proper rotation to check the cracks because theyd be at 6 oclock or wherever you couldnt see. And I doubt people are checking their oil caps to look anyways. End of the day, i see this as yet another ticking time bomb for our beloved cars...If theyre cracked its not the end of the world but you are on borrowed time.

Went out and checked, all as expected looked great. Checked again after arriving to the office just to find....wtf..
Had the car for almost 8 years never checked before so god knows when this occured. Car have had an extremely comfortable life with over the top maintenance, warm up and rarely red line (live down town + old git). Ah well, will continue drive daily and contact a ///M indy to see what they say. Simply can't understand how that light pice of plastic can move!

Edit: And btw looks like to lower cover also have come lose.

[StripclubDJ]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Went out and checked, all as expected looked great. Checked again after arriving to the office just to find....wtf..
Had the car for almost 8 years never checked before so god knows when this occured. Car have had an extremely comfortable life with over the top maintenance, warm up and rarely red line (live down town + old git). Ah well, will continue drive daily and contact a ///M indy to see what they say. Simply can't understand how that light pice of plastic can move!

Edit: And btw looks like to lower cover also have come lose.

Wow

[Redd]

Looks like issue may be more common than previously thought.

[MAE90M3]

Just checked my 08 with over 125k miles on it, and they both look fine. I will definitely keep an eye on this and look to replace them with a stronger option in the future.

[motorhead_02]

Originally Posted by Ajolives

It went horribly to be honest. They're still broke and in the car; just ordered a set of Carbahn washers ready for round II.

Long story short I tried going the cheap route (without knowledge of the washers) and sourced used units with the help of OP. They seemed trustworthy but at the end of the day i couldn't throw them in my car in fear of them being no better than what i already have. The shop would remove the covers to check out the condition of the spring and then reinstall. This made them a tad bit flimsy, (i could rotate the cover on the unit ever so slightly) while my cracked ones seemed tighter believe it or not (weren't rotating much if not at all). The caps have 5 contact points each and all of mine were engaged. I did replace Bank 1's exhaust cover with one of the used units because I accidentally cracked it more by being an idiot.

I buttoned everything back up, replaced Bank 2's valve cover; all the hardware and gaskets too. I'm assuming i dont have to replace everything again seeing its been a short time since. Still have the timing tools which you do in fact need to replace the center bolt while not losing timing, or so I've been told.

My uneducated opinion is that these have been cracked for a long time and i guarantee theres many more out there to be discovered. I didnt know my exhaust cover was broke two weeks after finding out the inlet was broke - it all depends on where the camshafts end up when the ignition is turned off. I would check every time after i drive and would have to start/stop a couple times to get the proper rotation to check the cracks because theyd be at 6 oclock or wherever you couldnt see. And I doubt people are checking their oil caps to look anyways. End of the day, i see this as yet another ticking time bomb for our beloved cars...If theyre cracked its not the end of the world but you are on borrowed time.

and can you image that Deansbimmer is stating that those loose plastic covers that you experienced yourself holding massive tension spring in place😂🤮🤮

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by motorhead_02

and can you image that Deansbimmer is stating that those loose plastic covers that you experienced yourself holding massive tension spring in place😂🤮🤮

Yeah seems legit. My understanding is the spring tension is not against the cover but against the pins. The cover is there to keep it from walking off the pins toward the front of the car due to rotational force, not force from the spring.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by motorhead_02

and can you image that Deansbimmer is stating that those loose plastic covers that you experienced yourself holding massive tension spring in place😂🤮🤮

He is correct. Ask me how I know.

[Helmsman]

Checked this morning prior leaving for office, lower cap made me nervous enough to instead catch the tube.
Started to check around with the local shops. New Vanos are around 800 Euros over here (know I need two + will check other side as well). One shop was eager to investigate aftermarket alternative.
Some shops have never seen the issue before while a couple immediately confirmed "this happen".

Main dealer hasn't come back yet but will be interesting to get their thoughts. The quality of this piece of plastic design reminds of the TA's gear, clearly not good enought and should have been adressed by BMW IMHO.

Ps. One wonder how this light cap can rotate with the torque required. The s65 obviously have extremely fast throttle response, may that be the reason..? I certainly run the DCT with proper blip and I don't mind revving a tad now and then. Makes me wonder...

[jvictormp]

To correct this issue, one needs to replace entire Vanos?? Isn't it just remove the gear, remove the plastic cover and put on the metal cover made by Dinan?

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

To correct this issue, one needs to replace entire Vanos?? Isn't it just remove the gear, remove the plastic cover and put on the metal cover made by Dinan?

Not sure about "just" but in theory yes. Lets see what mentioned shop will find out...

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Checked this morning prior leaving for office, lower cap made me nervous enough to instead catch the tube.
Started to check around with the local shops. New Vanos are around 800 Euros over here (know I need two + will check other side as well). One shop was eager to investigate aftermarket alternative.
Some shops have never seen the issue before while a couple immediately confirmed "this happen".

Main dealer hasn't come back yet but will be interesting to get their thoughts. The quality of this piece of plastic design reminds of the TA's gear, clearly not good enought and should have been adressed by BMW IMHO.

Ps. One wonder how this light cap can rotate with the torque required. The s65 obviously have extremely fast throttle response, may that be the reason..? I certainly run the DCT with proper blip and I don't mind revving a tad now and then. Makes me wonder...

I thought the same as well, I imagine weight savings was the driver. I also was a bit sketched out replacing lightweight plastic with metal covers. Wouldn't that increase strain on the timing gear assemblies rotating the extra mass?

Edit: The only saving grace is that DINAN uses these on every engine they build because they claim these covers always crack. They know much, much, much more than I.