Hi all,

I've finished rebuilding my engine but upon first start it sounded like diesel and gave inlet cam faults so I am trying to figure out what went wrong.

Engine refresh included:
timing chain replacement
inlet cam seals
piston rings
valve seals
various gaskets
5w40 oil and filter

What I did so far:
double checked timing
cleaned VANOS selenoid
checked voltage of plug to VANOS selenoid (9V, but I was told it should be battery voltage?)

Live data shows that VANOS actual possition is stuck regardless of engine rpm.

Possible next steps?:
check oil preasure
replace VANOS selenoid
replace VANOS hub

It is a strange one because before rebuild car was running fine and VANOS was functioning.

https://youtube.com/shorts/TSnsLL58pf0?feature=share

TIA

 

Did you reuse the cam and crank bolts when you did the timing chain? Those are one time use parts. Once removed, they need to be replaced. If the car sounds like a diesel, I would guess timing is off.

 

I used new bolts.

I used locking tool to set timing don't see how it could be of since everything is locked in place while tightening the bolts. I also rotated the engine sveral times rechecking if I could still lock it at the same place.

In addition as mentioned live data shows that VANOS is not working. I suppese even if tining would be off it would work as it is separate system and works of oil pressure?

 

The locking pin inside the vanos gear should be in locking position when there is no oil pressure. If locking pin does not lock (stuck), your timing is off.
Also even if the pin is in lock position (therefore only 1 mm or so play), when u first start the engine, u will get a lot of codes regarding vanos as it is not functioning correctly. Your diesel noise maybe because of that.
U could have cranked the engine without ignition on by giving that white start wire 12V to energize the starter for maybe at least a dozen turns first.

Oh, hydraulic lifters also need oil pressure and without that, it sounds like diesel too.

 

When you install the chain, you have to leave some slack in the chain. If you have the tensioner too tight and the chain is too stiff, it won't allow the cam to move. When you use the pre-tensioner in the kit, it's in nuetons/mm. It leaves a small amount of slack between intake/exhaust cams.
It's not often discussed, don't ask me how I discovered it.

 

It is all sorted now. Thank you! I backtrackeda nd removed oil sump and after removing plastic cover on the oil pump I found out that yhe chain was off the sprocket.
I've put everything back ann it runs like a champ now.
Lesson learned.