What are the symptoms of a bad vanos solenoid?

Symptoms to Look Out For

Loss of horsepower and torque.
Slow reaction to pressing the gas pedal.
Slow cold starts.
Limp mode or problems with the car computer after acceleration.
Decreased driveability.
Rattling noises or rough idling.
Inconsistent idling.
Poor fuel economy.

How much does it cost to replace vanos E46 M3?

Total cost for the new Vanos + labor (minus core charge for original Vanos unit from Dr Vanos) will be approx $600-$700.

How do I know if my vanos is bad E46?

Louder idle and intermittent idle RPM hiccups. Difficult takeoffs. Loss of power and bogging when AC on. Increased fuel consumption.

Does E46 M3 have vanos?

The E46 M3 VANOS system is one of the weak spots on an otherwise fantastic engine. The VANOS is BMW’s variable valve timing system that changes camshaft timing to boost low end torque without losing top end power. VANOS failures and rebuilds on the E46 M3 are common and this fully rebuilt and upgraded unit from Dr.

How many miles can a E46 M3 last?

If properly maintained, you can probably expect to get about 100,000 miles out of the typical E46 before major repairs start to become an issue.

What causes vanos rattle?

The vanos rattle is caused by wear in the variable valve timing helical (slanted) gears. The helical gear wear allows the camshaft to have lash movements that engage the splined shaft axially. At certain RPMs these movements resonate and engage axial play (free space) and cause associated components to hit and rattle.

Is there a repair kit for BMW VANOS?

BMW does not provide the vanos seals separately. It sells rebuilt vanos units for ~$800. New rebuilt vanos units are supplied with the same failing O-rings and have been found to significantly fail in 20k miles (32k kilometers). Vanos seals repair kits are now available.

What causes a BMW VANOS unit to fail?

This causes the vanos piston seals to lose their sealing function and for the vanos unit to fail. BMW does not provide the vanos seals separately. It sells rebuilt vanos units for ~$800. New rebuilt vanos units are supplied with the same failing O-rings and have been found to significantly fail in 20k miles (32k kilometers).

What to do about rattle on BMW VANOS?

Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. Removing the vanos piston bearing axial play significantly reduces the rattle. Also replacing the helical gear components (splined shaft, camshaft, sprocket) is expensive and the helical gears will wear again.

What kind of bearings are used in VANOS?

The vanos piston bearing is made of a thick washer and two thrust (roller) bearings. The washer if mounted to the splined shaft and the two thrust bearings sandwich the washer facilitating the washer to rotate at camshaft speed.