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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Vanos - Got the seals
- Thread starter GPGrobler
- Start date
correct there are two seals inside each groove... the outer teflon seal slides smoothly in the bore while the Viton seal stops oil bypass and creates pressure on the teflon...
extra parts can be got from alert engine parts or BMW... all parts needed are in the DIY
If you unsure doing this yourself there are workshops available to do it for you give me a shout
extra parts can be got from alert engine parts or BMW... all parts needed are in the DIY
If you unsure doing this yourself there are workshops available to do it for you give me a shout
Philip Foglar
///Member
If you are using an RTV sealant for the new valve cover gasket, just make sure that it is oxygen sensor safe - it will just say "sensor safe" on the label.
Best is to just get the OEM valve cover gasket - I also recommend replacing the 15 rubber grommets and to play safe, get a new set of Vanos piston bolts (they are left hand thread).
For removing the old Vanos seals, make sure you have a sharp and firm precision hobby knife as close to the one that they show on their tutorial.
Good luck! :thumbs:
Best is to just get the OEM valve cover gasket - I also recommend replacing the 15 rubber grommets and to play safe, get a new set of Vanos piston bolts (they are left hand thread).
For removing the old Vanos seals, make sure you have a sharp and firm precision hobby knife as close to the one that they show on their tutorial.
Good luck! :thumbs:
Philip Foglar
///Member
GPGrobler said:
Steel, but they are rather weak and, as I leant, stretch and then snap really easily - but at least it is pretty easy to remove if that happens. Tip though, first tighten these two bolts before you tighten the Vanos to the head - I had to then replace not only those two Vanos piston bolts, but also the metal Vanos gasket...
GPGrobler
///Member
What metal is the Vanos pistons made from?
Which seal goes on first, the round edged or square edged one?
Thanks
Some info on sealants: I used the Grey Glue Devil RTV a while back and found that it shrinks when it cures, quite a problem when you want to seal something up, will try the grey Midas RTV on this engine and see if it works better, any other suggestions for a better sealant are welcome before I tackle the job.
Which seal goes on first, the round edged or square edged one?
Thanks
Some info on sealants: I used the Grey Glue Devil RTV a while back and found that it shrinks when it cures, quite a problem when you want to seal something up, will try the grey Midas RTV on this engine and see if it works better, any other suggestions for a better sealant are welcome before I tackle the job.
Sankekur
///Member
GPGrobler said:
I used Wynn's RTV sealant (or gasket maker, whatever it is called) have used it a couple of times in different applications and it seems to hold up well so far.
Just keep in mind that most RTV's will be tack dry in an hour or so, but full curing only happens in 24 hours, and exposure to oil during the curing time will significantly reduce the sealing capabilities.
follow the guide and look carefully at the pics... RTV is only used on 4 small sections in the front of the head it is not super critical to making it seal well... make sure it is O2 sensor safe
Philip Foglar
///Member
Sorry, misread, thought you asked about the piston bolts and didn't see you asked about the pistons themselves - yes, as said, they are aluminium. Round O-ring on first (smaller as well) and then flat seal after. Make sure that the O-ring is not twisted when fitting.
Their guide is really well laid out and detailed - I simply followed it to the T. There are lots of different RTV sealants, but as said, just be sure that it is sensor safe (it will say oxygen sensor safe or just sensor safe), and as said above, literally just a small amount to be applied to the half moon edges (front and rear of the head) and where the Vanos and head meet, basically as they show on their guide.
Do you mean where the metal gasket goes (obviously not there) or on top where the Vanos and head meet? How come, they indicate this as being one of the spots that needs some RTV.
moranor@axis said:follow the guide and look carefully at the pics... RTV is only used on 4 small sections in the front of the head it is not super critical to making it seal well... make sure it is O2 sensor safe
Their guide is really well laid out and detailed - I simply followed it to the T. There are lots of different RTV sealants, but as said, just be sure that it is sensor safe (it will say oxygen sensor safe or just sensor safe), and as said above, literally just a small amount to be applied to the half moon edges (front and rear of the head) and where the Vanos and head meet, basically as they show on their guide.
a1exander said:
Do you mean where the metal gasket goes (obviously not there) or on top where the Vanos and head meet? How come, they indicate this as being one of the spots that needs some RTV.
GPGrobler
///Member
Pity the seal kit does not come with the washers and the gasket:
I'm not too sure that it does not have to seal very well in these locations:
Here:
To everyone :ty: I hope this works out well, hope to start doing this for extra income for other E46 owners once I have figured it out and done it.
I'm not too sure that it does not have to seal very well in these locations:
Here:
To everyone :ty: I hope this works out well, hope to start doing this for extra income for other E46 owners once I have figured it out and done it.
Philip Foglar
///Member
GPGrobler said:
It's just to assist the new seals to fit snug inside the groves and shrink to the correct size. They are very tight at first - you will see what I mean when you try to get the pistons to go into the chambers. Make sure you have some fresh engine oil at hand to lubricate the seals as shown.
