The importance of doing VANOS seals

[Peter@AEW]

Just finished the vanos overhaul for a 320/8 and thought you may find the following pics of interest.





You will notice the score marks on the pistons which have been caused by failed seals.

The pistons have been rubbing on the walls and the marks they make will prevent the new seals from sealing correctly.
If this had been left unattended it is my theory that it would become bad enough over time where the vanos would be completely inoperative as there would be zero oil pressure within the chamber.

A word of caution rather do the seals now and have peace of mind.

On this particular car we polished the chamber walls to eliminate the score marks and are confident that the new seals will bed down correctly.

 

[RowenS]

enjoy reading your posts!:thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

That sucks! Looks like a double vanos engine? What are the Km's on this particular car?

 

[MariusH]

good post :thumbs:

 

[Rayzor]

Prevention is better than cure :biglol:

 

[Peter@AEW]

That sucks! Looks like a double vanos engine? What are the Km's on this particular car?

A good question.......clock shows 320 000 however the engine was changed from a 2,0 to a 2,8.

I need to speak to the owner

 

[ChefDJ]

Mechanical virgin question here....

Do diesels have vanos seals...? :slow:

 

[Kyle]

Peter, what would the signs of a failing vanos be?

I ask because there was a sort of pinking sound on the E46 I owned, only under load...

 

[moranor@axis]

Peter do you have any pics of the chambers pre polishing?

ChefDJ no Vanos for you to worry about

 

[Ram3on]

I think the mileage on that motor is not far off the actual reading. 328 motor was installed when mileage was less than 30K on the car, speedo has been inoperative since 330 suspension was installed, so have not done that much mileage, give or take 5K. As Peter states.....prevention is better than cure......so service all and everything, most definitely the VANOS unit :thumbs:

 

[ChefDJ]

ChefDJ no Vanos for you to worry about

:joy:

 

[M4life]

Great info cheers mate.

 

[Peter@AEW]

I tried to photograph the chambers but got too much light bounce from the camera flash.

I have sealed the unit and it is on the car now so no daylight pics sorry.

The vanos will give a rattling noise but certainly not pinging.

On this particular car we have a rattling noise so we did the rattle kit as well as I suspect that the rattle emanates from the vanos and not the valve train. (lifters)
We shall see on start up which shall be later today.
As to the effectiveness of the vanos if the car has done more than 30k change the seals.

The new motors have improved seals so if you are in an e36/e46/e38/e39/e53 do seals.

I think a complete vanos unit is R10 000 000 from the agents and the seals are roughly R1000...no brainer.

 

[Diablo Jnr]

I need to change mine

 

[Peter@AEW]

So just started the car and the rattle has gone on idle.
Partial success we eliminated the noise on idle and now have it on high revs which means valve train issue.

On my way to get INA lifters which is original equipment on Beemers as well as a deflection rail tensioner spring and piston.

We will then clean the head thoroughly as everything will be out and make it look like new......I love clean engines.

If you boys are interested I shall post pics of the procedure......

 

[moranor@axis]

yes to pics :rollsmile:

 

[Prev]

raise: well done Peter and please keep posting pics :rollsmile:

 

[Peter@AEW]

Just wanted to show you what is in the vanos pistons.
This is the rattle kit fix one for each piston.

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This is the piston stripped.

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The first washer and ring in place. I have not seated the ring properly so that I may show you the fitment.
The ring was pressed flat on the first washer prior to the first needle roller bearing being installed.

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Needle bearings resting on the washer and contained by the outer ring with the intermediate thick washer.

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Last flat washer placed and then sealed with the nut.
No loctite to be used unlike the s54.

The torque setting is roughly 50Nm and is done 3 times in 1 second bursts with an air gun set at its lowest.

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All parts were thoroughly cleaned and the washers were polished prior to re fitment.

I am not sure whether the polishing will contribute to better operation I am sure though that it will not harm it.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Thanks for all the info!! I am a huge believer in all of this! My Wife's car is so much better since I replaced the seals!!! :thumbs:

 

[Peter@AEW]

Car has roughly 340k and has a noisy valve train.
we did vanos seals and rattle kit and then proceeded to strip cams and change the lifters.

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Total time to this stage from start of stripping 15 hours.