Vanos bolt failure, vanos gear, videos & pictures

JRM3 · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:41:13 PM

I followed Excessive’s DIY and my steps didn’t vary from what he posted.

I will add on the exhaust side I had a hard time getting access to the 7mm and 10mm bolts to get the Vanos off. I could only see the 10mm bolt. What I discovered is that you can pull/pry the 10mm bolt out towards the front of the car to expose both bolts so you can get both wrenches in and unscrew them.

From these 2 pics you can see how this gear moves in and out.
3878.JPG
3879.JPG

I removed the Vanos gear and exposed the Vanos bolts behind the 1st gear. At first look the bolts looked loose.

What I found is that 5 of my 6 bolts were sheared off, the 6 bolt was loose and I could take out with my fingers.

3871.jpg

The only thing that is actually holding these bolts and not letting them fly all over the engine is a plate (see pic), it’s sandwiched between the Vanos gear and cam/timing chain gear.

3876.JPG
3877.JPG

See pictures above for how the plate looks installed and moved to the side to uncover the 6 vanos bolts.

My problem now is that since the 6 vanos bolts are out, the vanos gear has moved and I’m having a tough time getting it back lined up so I can drill and take a screw extractor to get the sheared bolts out.

Car is an April 2002 SMG with 83K miles

JRM3 · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:41:39 PM

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6RDVBHsCfg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHlijtWSRU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_YvJ4_ZkJs

Not sure at this point what actions/steps to take. Thought of calling the local BMW dealer and BMW NA to see what they would do.

There was obviously a change in the manufacturing of these bolts somewhere in the model years. BMW was obviously aware that the original bolts were inadequate. I’m not an engineer, but I would venture to guess that the original ones were not hardened steel or didn’t have a high enough grade of steel.

JRM3 · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:42:05 PM

I would like to know anyone who has Vanos issues, such as gears flying off, bolts shearing off etc. There may be a case for a class action if I can find enough people who have had the same issue from the vanos bolts shearing off. I can’t be the only one who has had this issue.

PM me any information about your experience in or out of warranty on vanos failure. There must be some information that BMW has on this issue. I just need to find it.

JRM3 · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:42:25 PM

Update #1: 7/18/2010 on post 49

Update #2: 7/21/2010 on post 75

Update #3: 7/25/2010 on post 76

Update #4: 9/23/2010 on post 80

xyd · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:02:27 PM

Holy balls look at those bolts... thats some scary ****...

akashyap · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:14:33 PM

I dont know if this is a stupid idea or if it will even work but cant your turn the engine like with a wrench on the fan like when you are doing a valve adjustment? That should line it back up right? Also noticed you are local if you need any help PM me.

SuperFrog · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:24:42 PM

If 1 or maybe 2 bolts were sheared I'd say, that's shitty luck. The fact that nearly all of the bolts are sheared tells me there is clearly a manufacturers defect not a stroke a bad luck. If all the bolts holding a Boeing jet engine to a wing sheared off there would be an investigation.

TRACK-CZAR · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:26:12 PM

Did you have any rattling or other signs that lead you to check the bolts?

Highpower11 · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:33:03 PM

JRM3 thanks for sharing your experience with us and great work with the videos. This is some scary stuff and it's not a job for the faint at heart, or a job for the average DIY-er. I'm glad you caught this before major engine damage. I have not had this problem (yet) but I wish you the best and I'm subscribed to this thread as well.

Please share any symptoms that may have caused you to look at the vanos bolts for problems. Codes, performance changes, engine noise etc.???

Thanks and good luck!

**Obioban** · Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:44:55 PM

So was it just the intake side that was sheeres or both sides?

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:02:27 PM	#5
xyd You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,672 Reputation: 0 Location: Unknown	Holy balls look at those bolts... thats some scary ****... __________________

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:26:12 PM	#8
TRACK-CZAR TRACK-CZAR Join Date: Jun 2009 Age: 42 Posts: 169 Reputation: 0 Location: Cleveland	Did you have any rattling or other signs that lead you to check the bolts? __________________ 2005 IB ZCP, Black Interior, 6 speed, Xenon, Sunroof

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:33:03 PM	#9
Highpower11 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 605 Reputation: 0 Location: NH	JRM3 thanks for sharing your experience with us and great work with the videos. This is some scary stuff and it's not a job for the faint at heart, or a job for the average DIY-er. I'm glad you caught this before major engine damage. I have not had this problem (yet) but I wish you the best and I'm subscribed to this thread as well. Please share any symptoms that may have caused you to look at the vanos bolts for problems. Codes, performance changes, engine noise etc.??? Thanks and good luck! __________________ ___________________ 06 /// M3 ZCP, 6MT, Interlagos Blau Metallic \ M-Alcantara\ Volk RE30\ VMR 701 (winter)\ CDV delete\ ESS ECU Tune\ RPI Scoops\ BMC Filter\ Turner aluminum Race Pedals\ Rogue FR 10mm spacers\ Rogue RSM\ Vogtland Springs\ \ V1 Hardwire\ DICE/iPhone\ Smoked corners\ painted reflectors\ ZHP illuminated Alcantara shift knob\ HID fog's\ LightWerkz TFX\ Nav, Power seats & Sunroof delete\ Coming Soon: Euro Headers & Cats

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:44:55 PM	#10
Obioban M3Forum Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 23,453 In the garage: '95 BMW M3 '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: SE PA	So was it just the intake side that was sheeres or both sides? __________________ Current Cars: 2005 IR/IR M3, 2003 TiAg M5, 1995 S50 B32 GT3 RS Green M3 Race Car _____Former Cars: 2004 TiAg/IR M3, 1996 TV/black M3, 1995 AW M3 shell Useful stuff: Objective suspension comparison, DIY suspension install VIDEOS (e36 version), Stick Driving Basics, e46 Climate Control, Better Fuel Economy 101, 10W-60 TWS Everything on the car: Mod List __________ HighRes M Wallpapers (Misc collected pics) <--- save target to desktop Selling: Suspensions, brakes, safety equipment, etc (ask away!) Renting: Valve shim adjustment kit, RTAB tool, Ball joint tool

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Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:41:13 PM	#1
JRM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,038 Reputation: 0 Location: Austin	Vanos bolt failure, vanos gear, videos & pictures I followed Excessive’s DIY and my steps didn’t vary from what he posted. I will add on the exhaust side I had a hard time getting access to the 7mm and 10mm bolts to get the Vanos off. I could only see the 10mm bolt. What I discovered is that you can pull/pry the 10mm bolt out towards the front of the car to expose both bolts so you can get both wrenches in and unscrew them. From these 2 pics you can see how this gear moves in and out. 3878.JPG 3879.JPG I removed the Vanos gear and exposed the Vanos bolts behind the 1st gear. At first look the bolts looked loose. What I found is that 5 of my 6 bolts were sheared off, the 6 bolt was loose and I could take out with my fingers. 3871.jpg The only thing that is actually holding these bolts and not letting them fly all over the engine is a plate (see pic), it’s sandwiched between the Vanos gear and cam/timing chain gear. 3876.JPG 3877.JPG See pictures above for how the plate looks installed and moved to the side to uncover the 6 vanos bolts. My problem now is that since the 6 vanos bolts are out, the vanos gear has moved and I’m having a tough time getting it back lined up so I can drill and take a screw extractor to get the sheared bolts out. Car is an April 2002 SMG with 83K miles Last edited by JRM3; Mon, Jul-19-2010 at 02:39:07 PM.

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:41:39 PM	#2
JRM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,038 Reputation: 0 Location: Austin	Here are my videos Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6RDVBHsCfg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHlijtWSRU4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_YvJ4_ZkJs Not sure at this point what actions/steps to take. Thought of calling the local BMW dealer and BMW NA to see what they would do. There was obviously a change in the manufacturing of these bolts somewhere in the model years. BMW was obviously aware that the original bolts were inadequate. I’m not an engineer, but I would venture to guess that the original ones were not hardened steel or didn’t have a high enough grade of steel. Last edited by JRM3; Sat, Jul-17-2010 at 08:51:07 PM.

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:42:05 PM	#3
JRM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,038 Reputation: 0 Location: Austin	I would like to know anyone who has Vanos issues, such as gears flying off, bolts shearing off etc. There may be a case for a class action if I can find enough people who have had the same issue from the vanos bolts shearing off. I can’t be the only one who has had this issue. PM me any information about your experience in or out of warranty on vanos failure. There must be some information that BMW has on this issue. I just need to find it. Last edited by JRM3; Sun, Jul-18-2010 at 09:25:18 PM.

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 08:42:25 PM	#4
JRM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,038 Reputation: 0 Location: Austin	Update #1: 7/18/2010 on post 49 Update #2: 7/21/2010 on post 75 Update #3: 7/25/2010 on post 76 Update #4: 9/23/2010 on post 80 Last edited by JRM3; Thu, Sep-23-2010 at 10:12:57 PM.

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:14:33 PM	#6
akashyap Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Age: 21 Posts: 660 Reputation: 0 Location: Austin	I dont know if this is a stupid idea or if it will even work but cant your turn the engine like with a wrench on the fan like when you are doing a valve adjustment? That should line it back up right? Also noticed you are local if you need any help PM me.

Sat, Jul-17-2010, 09:24:42 PM	#7
SuperFrog I date supermodels Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 9,500 In the garage: '11 YUGO GV Reputation: 0	If 1 or maybe 2 bolts were sheared I'd say, that's shitty luck. The fact that nearly all of the bolts are sheared tells me there is clearly a manufacturers defect not a stroke a bad luck. If all the bolts holding a Boeing jet engine to a wing sheared off there would be an investigation.