I have a 07 mini Cooper s which has been throwing a cel light code 287d and earlier in the week 273f which cleared on it's own somehow. I was trying to clean out my front and rear vanos solenoids. When I went to check the front one to my surprise its not there. I thought it was in front mounted near the top next to the dipstip? All the vids I've seen have it there mine has the electric connection running down the engine.

 

The 07 MCS with the N14 engine only has a VANOS on the exhaust cam. The solenoid is in the back of the head.
If you have the N18 engine which started somewhere after 2010 then you will have a Vanos on each cam.

 

Thanks a lot I was so confused I'm new to the mini just took it out and cleaned it up pretty dirty should I just go ahead and replace it with oem or is there something better that's aftermarket??

 

I would clean it first. They get a lot of oil filter fibers built up on them and it impedes their functioning.

 

Yep clean it out, the updated versions come with full screen so they dont get clogged and damage the inside.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

 

You only have one Vanos solenoid on that motor. You can clean it. Not really any aftermarket options except the newer ones have more screens on them.

 

Plenty of aftermarket VANOS if you search on amazon. I've got one UXCELL I believe, so far so good.

 

Yep, we have some aftermarket ones.

 

Did you mean there is only one VANOS solenoid on the intake cam? The intake cam is on the rear side of the cylinder head.

 

Obviously that's what he meant. Maybe he sees that turbo inlet and thinks that's the intake side.