I am fairly certain I have a bad
Vanos exhaust actuator.

The dealer cleaned it ( not sure what
They did really since I don't know where
It is). Light back on.

I did an engine flush and oil change
Spark plugs and both cam timing
Sensors. The thing runs great but
I keep getting the warning light back
On. It can be slightly intermittent but
At this point it is mostly on.

I can not even determine where this part
Is located. I have the Bentley manual.

Can somebody tell me where this part
Is located ?

Also if I pay the $1100 to have it fixed
What else should be done when they are
Already there if anything?

120k miles original owner I don't drive
It hard at all and I keep it up.

Thanks.

 

The VANOS unit is on the intake camshaft on the N14 engine, not the exhaust. If you take the valve cover off you can see that it's integrated into the cam gear on the intake camshaft. The Bentley manual does go into depth on the operation of the unit.

 

It is part number 2.

 

I'm guessing you have an R56 Cooper non S?
how often have you changed the oil?

We've seen this many times on the R56 non s. The best way to make sure it is the solenoid is swap it with the intake one. It's ok they are the same part. If the fault moves to the intake you know it's the solenoid, if it stays on the exhaust. Well that's bad news. That means its in the drivetrain itself then. You may just have the timing off, retime the engine and go. Or the came to cam sprocket has too much wear and the cam and sprocket will need to be replaced and retimed.

 

I change the oil every 5-7k or so. I don't let it go a long time.

The actual code is something like vanos actuator moved.
I have the bavtech tool.

Where can I get this part and can I change it out myself?

 

I didn't see the explanations in the bentley granted it was late and I was tired.
I didn't look at the whole thing just the sections on cam timing timing chain, etc etc.

It seems to me this thing can come out of the back (intuitively) and that
almost $1200 is a bit steep to change a solenoid.

 

I am asking if I need special tools I think.
I have a climate controlled garage, compressed air, and a decent
amount of hand tools. My skill set is I was able to change the
auto transmission fluid. I don't think I have the skill or tools to remove
the timing chain and lock the cams. Or the patience.

 

ECS tuning comes through! These guys are great. ALL the parts
to do everything no problem, and great customer support.

I'm making a couple calls now to see if I can find a trusted person
to do the job for me.

 

Dude that Knows Stuff says drive the car harder. Try and
snap the vanos back into action. That it might just be stuck.
That sure would be a lot cheaper if it works lol.

 

I need some help here.
When I look at the above attached pic that actuator is clearly
part of the vanos and appears to be A LOT of trouble to get to it.
This implies if you go to that much trouble you should replace two of them.

When I look at the Bentley manual and real oem there is only one of these things,
and it is located in the side of the head. Like it can be unbolted fairly easy.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...92&hg=11&fg=15

Can somebody give some insight into this?
Please please!

 

Also, look at part number 3. My error is vanos actuator moved.
It is not the same part as posted above. That is the solenoid.

I think this is an easy fix if I can clarify this.