N55 Engine VANOS failure

MarkR171 · 10-12-2011, 05:12 PM

My car has been at the dealer for a week now. I first got limp mode on the highway last week, power reduced, etc. Stopped the engine, waited a few minutes and started again, limp mode gone. I drove around the parking lot for a few minutes and limp mode came back again so I took the car to the dealer.

Dealer runs codes, sees that VANOS timing is off. They find a "sheared off / broken bolt in the exhaust side of VANOS." As of today, they replaced the exhaust VANOS (so far $2700 out of warranty.) My SA says the car sounds better at idle (was ticking bad when I first took it in) but the computer still says "VANOS is not activating."

Now they want to replace the intake VANOS and tensioner for another $2000, $4700 plus tax total so far.

All this after PROcede on Map 1 auto tune driven normally on the road with no other mods... How can a bolt just snap like that? I'm looking at $5000+ out of pocket and no car for two weeks on a 2011 135i with 20,000 miles on it...

Anyone with a tuned N55, please be careful....

cooler2442 · 10-12-2011, 05:16 PM

Why didn't you remove the Procede before going to the dealer?

rader1 · 10-12-2011, 05:21 PM

Why is it not covered? Its up to the dealer to prove the PROcede fucked your car, and PROcede doesnt control VANOS so there is no connectio. There

MarkR171 · 10-12-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Why didn't you remove the Procede before going to the dealer?

It was removed.

Lambobimmer · 10-12-2011, 05:22 PM

Same problem as the E46 M3. There are postings every day about sheered Vanos bolts on http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9 . I ultimately got rid of my M3 because of this risk. The ususal cost on the M3 is about 7k to 10k.

MarkR171 · 10-12-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rader1

Why is it not covered? Its up to the dealer to prove the PROcede fucked your car, and PROcede doesnt control VANOS so there is no connectio. There

Would the argument of extra horsepower/torque have any weight? Would VANOS be TOTALLY unaffected by PROcede?

MilehighM3 · 10-12-2011, 05:30 PM

I've sent this happen to head bolts and vanos bolts. Not really common, and totally different configuration on the new generation engines compared to an S54. They do have to prove your mods caused the issue. I've also seen stuck lifters cause the bolt in the cam to break off due to the extra force, and head bolts snap off near the front of the head and the head bolt head gets caught between the vanos unit and the timing chain breaking the vanos as well as due head damage. Usually on an N52 though. (non turbo) sounds like a bad deal for you at this point....

MarkR171 · 10-12-2011, 05:40 PM

So you're saying that even though they know a tune existed, they cannot void warranty without specific proof that the tune caused the issue? Even if there was obviously more power/torque because of the tune?

cooler2442 · 10-12-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

It was removed.

How did they know you had a Procede then? It is undetectable if removed since it is a piggyback.

Lambobimmer · 10-12-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooler2442

How did they know you had a Procede then? It is undetectable if removed since it is a piggyback.

This is my thought as well.

RnmEvo9 · 10-12-2011, 06:05 PM

Holy shit, thats a lot of money to cough up for a sheared off bolt. Wait, so did they say you are out of warranty because of a previous tune installed?

VividRacingSale · 10-12-2011, 06:06 PM

Yes, they have to PROVE beyond ANY doubt that your mods caused the issue. Research the Magnusson-Moss Act.

xerox445 · 10-12-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VividRacingSale

Yes, they have to PROVE beyond ANY doubt that your mods caused the issue. Research the Magnusson-Moss Act.

I think it varies state by state who has the burden of proof.

MarkR171 · 10-12-2011, 07:14 PM

I spoke with my SA again and he says the exhaust side VANOS unit was replaced, and intake side was checked for tightness while they tried to adjust timing, so nothing wrong with intake side bolts.

He says the sound is much louder when the oil filler cap is off, although much quieter now after replacing the exhaust VANOS unit and bolts.

IZAGLO · 10-12-2011, 07:14 PM

This is horrible dude....i really feel your pain.

MarkR171 · 10-12-2011, 07:22 PM

And to think this all happened while I was driving home from the tire shop after getting a nail in my Star Specs... on my birthday.

cooler2442 · 10-12-2011, 07:24 PM

I still want to know how they knew you had the Procede.

135i_vs_ · 10-12-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

And to think this all happened while I was driving home from the tire shop after getting a nail in my Star Specs... on my birthday.

Hope you didn't let anyone at the tire shop take your car for a spin...

2011 135i, what the heck happened to the warranty?

Tech112 · 10-12-2011, 10:10 PM

I've seen several VANOS bolts just sheering off, mainly on N52 engines.

2010AW135i · 10-12-2011, 10:35 PM

how did they know it was tuned if you took it off before you took it in??

that really sucks!!

ken1137 · 10-13-2011, 08:44 AM

I would think valve timing is affected by a tune to a certain degree, but it should not be the root cause for a bolt to shear off. I have seen many bolts shear or break in tools and heavy equipment and it is normally due to defects in the bolt, or over capacity tension created on the bolt, or simply age as in the case with many e46's. Why is this not covered under warranty?

rader1 · 10-13-2011, 10:21 AM

Yes, i would like to know why your warranty is now void? How did they know it was tuned? And the extra hp/tq almost certainly isn't the problem, there are N54s making way more power and most of the VANOS problems are dirty/fauly sensors. Im not saying its impossible, but unlikely. Im saying it was a deffective bolt or it was overtorqued

10-12-2011, 05:12 PM	#1
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	N55 Engine VANOS failure My car has been at the dealer for a week now. I first got limp mode on the highway last week, power reduced, etc. Stopped the engine, waited a few minutes and started again, limp mode gone. I drove around the parking lot for a few minutes and limp mode came back again so I took the car to the dealer. Dealer runs codes, sees that VANOS timing is off. They find a "sheared off / broken bolt in the exhaust side of VANOS." As of today, they replaced the exhaust VANOS (so far $2700 out of warranty.) My SA says the car sounds better at idle (was ticking bad when I first took it in) but the computer still says "VANOS is not activating." Now they want to replace the intake VANOS and tensioner for another $2000, $4700 plus tax total so far. All this after PROcede on Map 1 auto tune driven normally on the road with no other mods... How can a bolt just snap like that? I'm looking at $5000+ out of pocket and no car for two weeks on a 2011 135i with 20,000 miles on it... Anyone with a tuned N55, please be careful.... __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-12-2011, 05:16 PM	#2
cooler2442 Brigadier General 477 Rep 4,153 Posts Drives: 1/18 Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00]	Why didn't you remove the Procede before going to the dealer?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 05:21 PM	#3
rader1 Banned 68 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: Cobb Stage 2+ 135i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA iTrader: (0)	Why is it not covered? Its up to the dealer to prove the PROcede fucked your car, and PROcede doesnt control VANOS so there is no connectio. There
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 05:22 PM	#5
Lambobimmer Major 292 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i, 2018 TTRS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tarheel iTrader: (14)	Same problem as the E46 M3. There are postings every day about sheered Vanos bolts on http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9 . I ultimately got rid of my M3 because of this risk. The ususal cost on the M3 is about 7k to 10k.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 05:30 PM	#7
MilehighM3 Brigadier General 913 Rep 3,456 Posts Drives: Harrop E90 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (14) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [6.50]	I've sent this happen to head bolts and vanos bolts. Not really common, and totally different configuration on the new generation engines compared to an S54. They do have to prove your mods caused the issue. I've also seen stuck lifters cause the bolt in the cam to break off due to the extra force, and head bolts snap off near the front of the head and the head bolt head gets caught between the vanos unit and the timing chain breaking the vanos as well as due head damage. Usually on an N52 though. (non turbo) sounds like a bad deal for you at this point....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 05:40 PM	#8
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	So you're saying that even though they know a tune existed, they cannot void warranty without specific proof that the tune caused the issue? Even if there was obviously more power/torque because of the tune? __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 06:05 PM	#11
RnmEvo9 Banned 247 Rep 1,827 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL iTrader: (2)	Holy shit, thats a lot of money to cough up for a sheared off bolt. Wait, so did they say you are out of warranty because of a previous tune installed?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 06:06 PM	#12
VividRacingSale 9 Rep 96 Posts Drives: BMW E46 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Yes, they have to PROVE beyond ANY doubt that your mods caused the issue. Research the Magnusson-Moss Act.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 07:14 PM	#14
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	I spoke with my SA again and he says the exhaust side VANOS unit was replaced, and intake side was checked for tightness while they tried to adjust timing, so nothing wrong with intake side bolts. He says the sound is much louder when the oil filler cap is off, although much quieter now after replacing the exhaust VANOS unit and bolts. __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 07:14 PM	#15
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	This is horrible dude....i really feel your pain. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 07:22 PM	#16
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	And to think this all happened while I was driving home from the tire shop after getting a nail in my Star Specs... on my birthday. __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 07:24 PM	#17
cooler2442 Brigadier General 477 Rep 4,153 Posts Drives: 1/18 Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00]	I still want to know how they knew you had the Procede.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 10:10 PM	#19
Tech112 New Member 0 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2011 135i N55 DCT (sold) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	I've seen several VANOS bolts just sheering off, mainly on N52 engines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2011, 10:35 PM	#20
2010AW135i Private First Class 14 Rep 161 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (2)	how did they know it was tuned if you took it off before you took it in?? that really sucks!! __________________ 2010 BMW 135i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2011, 08:44 AM	#21
ken1137 Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,732 Posts Drives: BMW S1000XR Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 e90 335i [6.40]	I would think valve timing is affected by a tune to a certain degree, but it should not be the root cause for a bolt to shear off. I have seen many bolts shear or break in tools and heavy equipment and it is normally due to defects in the bolt, or over capacity tension created on the bolt, or simply age as in the case with many e46's. Why is this not covered under warranty? __________________ BMWCCA member Last edited by ken1137; 10-13-2011 at 09:10 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2011, 10:21 AM	#22
rader1 Banned 68 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: Cobb Stage 2+ 135i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA iTrader: (0)	Yes, i would like to know why your warranty is now void? How did they know it was tuned? And the extra hp/tq almost certainly isn't the problem, there are N54s making way more power and most of the VANOS problems are dirty/fauly sensors. Im not saying its impossible, but unlikely. Im saying it was a deffective bolt or it was overtorqued
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search