VANOS throwing mechanical lock up error after Cams

[euro4life]

Installed cams, intake, higher flow manifold, deleted fan, and taken off the ASC. The Vanos is busted now. It keeps throwing a mechanically locked up code even after taking it all apart 2 more times and reinstalling it. Also tried feeling the selinoid(sp?) cylinder for burrs and manually operating it (extends fine). Also blew 100psi of air through the vanos itself to see if it will operate correctly. It did. (I recommend covering a towel over the openings though as it will blow oil and crud all over the firewall, windshield, engine, and hood. ). Anyone else run into this problem? What the heck is wrong with it. It's starting to send us over the edge!

Its a 97 328i

Thanks for any help in adv.
JB

[SM3]

I had the exact same problem. What you have to do is make sure when you are pulling the vanos in that the vanos gears dont move on thier own make sure its tuning the gears it interlocks with. I had to do mine like 4 times to get it right, but you can do it on your first try. the gears on the vanos will turn very slightly before it interlocks with the other gears on the cam. Make sure that is not happening, make sure both turn at the same time.

its kind of hard to explain, but i hope this helps. if you have any questions feel free to ask..
Jimmy

[euro4life]

Thanks. We're trying again tomorrow so I'll make sure the Vanos doesn't move this time. I'm not even sure if it was moving before? We used a screwdriver to move the exhaust sprocket and just pushed on the Vanos until it was all the way in. Anything else that could cause this?

[SM3]

your not supposed to push the vanos all the way in, your supposed to grab the vanos gears and pull it all the way out, hold the gears and turn them till they interlock with the ones on the cam, the you are supposed to have a special tool to put on the other cam to turn it when you turn it, it automatically pulls the vanos in. do not push the vanos in by hand.