N55 Engine VANOS failure

[moveswiftly]

This doesn't make sense! Explain!!!

[MarkR171]

^ Completely different issue. Sounds to me like you had a bad tune. Which tune was it? No piggyback can cause a corruption in the DME, not that I know of at least.

I will talk to my SA again about the warranty issue. The fact that people are getting sheared bolts in N52s, yet not in highly modded/tuned N54/N55s is puzzling. It seems like the issue is not power/torque related, but more so a parts defect.

[cooler2442]

Yeah, his issue sounds more like user error. Maybe he tried updating it and loaded the wrong file or his computer had a virus of some sort. Especially the part of the dealer not being able to clear the check engine code? Super weird.

[cwg]

Mark - any update - which SA are you using

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

^ Completely different issue. Sounds to me like you had a bad tune. Which tune was it? No piggyback can cause a corruption in the DME, not that I know of at least.

I will talk to my SA again about the warranty issue. The fact that people are getting sheared bolts in N52s, yet not in highly modded/tuned N54/N55s is puzzling. It seems like the issue is not power/torque related, but more so a parts defect.

Mark, can you explain clearly why your warranty is void?

You've evaded the question for some reason.
If it's because there may be people watching this board, then it's understandable.

As far as some people who keep bringing up Mag Moss, many people have a near complete lack of understanding what that act protects, and does not protect.

The Mag Moss is a federal act, so it's not dependent on state laws.
There are state laws that vary with lemon law, but Mag Moss is a federal act.

The act does not protect an owner if the owner knowingly violated his warranty. In particular, an owner is NOT allowed to modify basic engine function and operation. If one does that, the manufacturer absolutely can deny warranty, and MagMoss can't help with that. It's not like a warranty was denied because an owner used an aftermarket air filter.
If that were the case, then yes indeed MagMoss can be applied.

In your situation, it's not clear why your warranty was denied.
The tune wasn't on your car when you took it in, so it's not clear what happened.
If it is because of a tune, then you did violate your warranty.
However, if you can prove that the failed part is a known issue, you may be able to use that and discuss the situation with BMWNA.
It can't hurt to try, but only if you know why your warranty is void.
Good luck.

[xerox445]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Mark, can you explain clearly why your warranty is void?

You've evaded the question for some reason.
If it's because there may be people watching this board, then it's understandable.

As far as some people who keep bringing up Mag Moss, many people have a near complete lack of understanding what that act protects, and does not protect.

The Mag Moss is a federal act, so it's not dependent on state laws.
There are state laws that vary with lemon law, but Mag Moss is a federal act.

The act does not protect an owner if the owner knowingly violated his warranty. In particular, an owner is NOT allowed to modify basic engine function and operation. If one does that, the manufacturer absolutely can deny warranty, and MagMoss can't help with that. It's not like a warranty was denied because an owner used an aftermarket air filter.
If that were the case, then yes indeed MagMoss can be applied.

In your situation, it's not clear why your warranty was denied.
The tune wasn't on your car when you took it in, so it's not clear what happened.
If it is because of a tune, then you did violate your warranty.
However, if you can prove that the failed part is a known issue, you may be able to use that and discuss the situation with BMWNA.
It can't hurt to try, but only if you know why your warranty is void.
Good luck.

And depending on the state....the burden of proof may lie on the dealership or the car owner.

[bogart]

this is the worst thread I have ever read...

[1NNO_35]

+1 crappy N54 owner. Welcome to the club. :/

[ptack]

Vanos fail is also common on the N54. I've had them all replaced so far - under warrantee of course. Your dealer's probably had to fix a lot of them so they (BMW) are probably getting nasty about about it. That's not to say you should give up. They just up the ante in terms of how persistant you have to be.

[cwg]

Any update on this -?

[ChrisM135i]

Originally Posted by ptack

Vanos fail is also common on the N54.

Unfortunatly I have to confirm this.. I already had this issue three times on my 2008 135i with 48k km (30k miles) on the odometer..

After the first time I visited a BMW dealership in Augsburg, who updated the software (200,- EUR and one empty tank later ) the failure was still there. If I switch off the engine for a few minutes, it opereates normally and no failure is displayed..

I had run the car for several weeks normally (without driving at high speed) and the failure seemed to be gone. But as soon as I entered the Autobahn and was driving for a few minutes aroung 120 - 150 mph the failure appeared instantly.

I know that there must be a Vanos problem since a friend of mine (who is working at BMW) analysed the error cache of the car. So far I have not visited another dealership yet..

Anyone knows if there can occure other problems if I dont replace the Vanos and drive the car as if there would be no failure?

[ken1137]

I agree...sounds like your Vanos or camshaft timing is out if you lose power at higher rpms. Its either timing and or plus a replacement of the vanos is required (?) Im guessing. That sucks. Overall different from the OPs issue since his was due to sheared off camshaft bolt.

Originally Posted by ChrisM135i

Unfortunatly I have to confirm this.. I already had this issue three times on my 2008 135i with 48k km (30k miles) on the odometer..

After the first time I visited a BMW dealership in Augsburg, who updated the software (200,- EUR and one empty tank later ) the failure was still there. If I switch off the engine for a few minutes, it opereates normally and no failure is displayed..

I had run the car for several weeks normally (without driving at high speed) and the failure seemed to be gone. But as soon as I entered the Autobahn and was driving for a few minutes aroung 120 - 150 mph the failure appeared instantly.

I know that there must be a Vanos problem since a friend of mine (who is working at BMW) analysed the error cache of the car. So far I have not visited another dealership yet..

Anyone knows if there can occure other problems if I dont replace the Vanos and drive the car as if there would be no failure?

[ChrisM135i]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Its either timing and or plus a replacement of the vanos is required (?) Im guessing. That sucks.

Yeah.. AFAIK I think its both.. timing and the Vanos. I guess its just a matter of time that the Vanos has to be replaced completely. I just hope that there will be no other failures caused by the defect Vanos..

btw. I dont run the car with any engine mods or upgrades..

Originally Posted by BimmerEngineer

The N55 motor is a cost-cutter according to a German Engineer friend of mine over the pond with BMW EAU.

The N55 is based on the N54 and I think the Vanos of both engines should be the same (correct me if I am wrong). Its just bad luck that the Vanos is not doing its job in some of the engines. I also think that there might be more problems among other 1 series drivers, but due to the more important HPFP issue, this problems gets less attention

[Dackelone]

^^How do you guys know it is the VANOS and not a sensor for the vanos ? AND if the vanos was bad, couldn't you somehow "lock it" into a middle adjustment position?

How much is a new Vanos?

[ChrisM135i]

I cant remember the exact failure code from the error cache, but the error message was saved that the Vanos was inoperable and to cause no further damage on the engine, it will run in an emergency program.. In this emergency program, the sensor is locked to a position where the engine runs with low power.. think of an immediate switch to the four-cylinder engine of a 116i ..

This also seems to be no long term solution IMHO

[Turbolader]

Originally Posted by ChrisM135i

The N55 is based on the N54 and I think the Vanos of both engines should be the same (correct me if I am wrong).

I do not know for sure, but the n55 uses valvetronic instead of a throttle blade. I believe that valvetronic is accomplished using Vanos. If that was the case, it is very likely they are quite a bit different (The new vanos should have quite a bit more adjustability in lift in order to throttle the car with it)

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

^^How do you guys know it is the VANOS and not a sensor for the vanos ? AND if the vanos was bad, couldn't you somehow "lock it" into a middle adjustment position?

How much is a new Vanos?

+1 ...Just guessing based on the description, but the sensor would throw a specific code, then again the sensor would throw a code if the timing was off (?). Dont know ...getting above my ability to troubleshoot.

[ChrisM135i]

Originally Posted by Turbolader

I believe that valvetronic is accomplished using Vanos. If that was the case, it is very likely they are quite a bit different (The new vanos should have quite a bit more adjustability in lift in order to throttle the car with it)

But wouldnt it then be even more strange if both engines (N54 and N55) show a nearly same Vanos problem?

[Turbolader]

Then maybe the cause isn't vanos, but something related to vanos. Maybe the problem is in the sensors like David mentioned, or maybe in the oiling system which is used in the vanos system. (Just a few left-field guesses)

[Lester]

My 2008 experienced its` first limp mode last week. I took it in to the dealer, and they replaced the Vanos solonoid and changed the oil under warranty.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by Turbolader

I do not know for sure, but the n55 uses valvetronic instead of a throttle blade. I believe that valvetronic is accomplished using Vanos. If that was the case, it is very likely they are quite a bit different (The new vanos should have quite a bit more adjustability in lift in order to throttle the car with it)

No. The valvetronic is a variable valve lift, where as the vanos is variable valve timing. Both cars have vanos, both cars also have throttles. The throttle is open the majority of the time on valvetronic cars when the engine is warm, not when it is cold though. The valve lift variation does control engine rpm/load like a throttle would by varying the valve lift between .3mm and about 9.9mm.

[FrankiE90]

OP wtf?!?

why did u have to go out-of-pocket?
should be covered. Sounds to me they took
some money where money should not be taken.

-ur dealer's got some explain'n to do.
and hopefully u'll post again and clear
things up for us members.