VANOS: Ever wonder why it sounds so funny?

[Ben Liaw]

You've heard it a million times...it's the vanos going bad, it's the vanos going bad.

Ever wonder what ACTUALLY goes bad? Wanna see the inside of the vanos unit?

E36 Vanos Tech Info

[scottycs]

Ben: I see you added a bunch of tech tips. Nice Job!

[Scho]

Yeah, thanks. That is great info.

[Arman]

Cool!

How much is a new Vanos unit and at what mileage are you suppose to change it at?

Ben, I've been waiting for your writeup on the Steering wheel since you guys opened! is that coming up anytime soon?

[.. v B ..]

http://212.53.90.108/cardiy/openproc...99391394050017

BTW, I am going to install my 3 spoke steering wheel next week
I need writeups too!!!

I've been waiting for your writeup on the Steering wheel

[Ben Liaw]

Originally posted by Arman
Cool!
How much is a new Vanos unit and at what mileage are you suppose to change it at?

New vanos unit is around $260 list. There are the other parts which should be replaced (sprocket, tensioners, gaskets), which add another $200 to the bill.

Some cars have vanos wear issues early, some later. Depends how much noise your car is making.

[James]

OK, I'm thorougly confused here. Back in the day the vanos unit on my M3 went back, and was replaced under warranty. Now, maybe the parts are cheap, but I seem to remember the bill for the work (again, which was all covered by warranty) to be in the 2k dollar range. Am I on crack, or is tha feasible that the labor required to replace the vanos unit made up the difference in costs?

[bimmer143]

Sweet post!! Very informative!!

[Ben Liaw]

Originally posted by JamesN.
OK, I'm thorougly confused here. Back in the day the vanos unit on my M3 went back, and was replaced under warranty. Now, maybe the parts are cheap, but I seem to remember the bill for the work (again, which was all covered by warranty) to be in the 2k dollar range. Am I on crack, or is tha feasible that the labor required to replace the vanos unit made up the difference in costs?

The vanos replacement (under warranty or not) really isn't that many parts. If the dealer ONLY did the vanos (and intake cam vanos gear), that's about $300 in parts (retail). I'm not sure the labor rate, but it can't be more than 3 hours by the book.

[bimmer143]

Originally posted by Ben Liaw


The vanos replacement (under warranty or not) really isn't that many parts. If the dealer ONLY did the vanos (and intake cam vanos gear), that's about $300 in parts (retail). I'm not sure the labor rate, but it can't be more than 3 hours by the book.

...........hence the nickname, $tealer!!

[Matthew C Smith]

thanks Ben!

The new tech info looks good. The e39 tip is a service bulletin too if I'm not mistaken. We had that fixed on my dad's 540i 6-speed. I remember having the service bulletin at one point.