Cleaning/Replacing Solenoid Valves

[gimmethemuumuu]

I encountered the following DIY for cleaning VANOS solenoid valves on E90Post when my wife's '07 E91 328i threw a code recently. Worked like a charm and seems to be a recommended/expected maintenance item.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=486201&page=8

I was curious: Has anyone encountered this sort of thing on an E9x M3? Has anyone had to clean or replace one of these types of valves? Or has the dealer done any such work on your car?

I also found the following on realoem.com. (Look at parts #1 and #4.)

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...39&hg=11&fg=15

I wonder if these are the same solenoid valves found on the non-M E9x which should be cleaned periodically to avoid problems?

[thekurgan]

I've seen posts regarding the N52, but I've not seen one post regarding work on these for the S65.

[gimmethemuumuu]

I found one post involving one of the part numbers here but not much beyond that. I'm sure there have to other experiences related to these things though, right?

We do have VANOS in our M's, don't we?

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by gimmethemuumuu

I found one post involving one of the part numbers here but not much beyond that. I'm sure there have to other experiences related to these things though, right?

We do have VANOS in our M's, don't we?

Yes, you're right, we have these for using engine oil pressure. What was causing the fowling issues with the N52? I can't remember if anyone found a cause other than blowing air through them or replacing them. I believe symptoms were idle related.

[gimmethemuumuu]

I don't know what is causing the valves to get gummed up on the non-M's. However, you're right: The solution is to either spray the valves with carb cleaner and/or blow 'em out with compressed air. For me, the carb cleaner was sufficient to resolve the code thrown.

My wife's car didn't have any idle issues as such, although it had occasionally died on me with a quick stop. Rather, it was just the code which was the cause for my finding the DIY.

I wonder if anyone has had these valves replaced for any reason on an M?

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Yes, you're right, we have these for using engine oil pressure. What was causing the fowling issues with the N52? I can't remember if anyone found a cause other than blowing air through them or replacing them. I believe symptoms were idle related.

Yes for my N52, it did help with idles.
For engine oil pressure that's the first I've heard.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by Route 16

Yes for my N52, it did help with idles.
For engine oil pressure that's the first I've heard.

I mean they function with engine oil pressure, as opposed to the S54/S85, which use an external solenoid and radial piston pump.

[gimmethemuumuu]

On the non-M's, there's another useful bit: Since the two solenoids are the same part number, they are interchangeable. This is useful in determining whether to merely clean the existing ones or replace them. You can clean them and switch their positions when you reinstall. Then, if any further codes appear, you know whether it's the same one giving you problems, since the code will follow the valve to its new location.

[GORDON.M3]

bump curious about this also. On my e90 n52 I cleaned them periodically, do we need to do the same with the S65 ones?