"Service Engine Soon" = 2 Vanos Solenoids replaced....

bozola · 10-02-2012, 03:48 PM

Four months and 5K out of warranty.
My independent mechanic suspects long oil change intervals.... FYI.

Rodzilla · 10-02-2012, 05:46 PM

Yeah, waiting for those long oil changes is horrible.

bimmer74 · 10-02-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozola

Four months and 5K out of warranty.
My independent mechanic suspects long oil change intervals.... FYI.

That sucks. I am also out of warranty now so this is a bit scary but I do feel good about doing my oil changes every 7,500 miles from new. Good luck with the repairs.

bozola · 10-02-2012, 08:08 PM

It's all fixed and works now. I know that there is a lot of 'oil change' debate, and I tend to think that 3000 miles oil change are too often. Then I knew the guy that never changed his oil, only his filters.

I guess I trusted the BMW service interval, but will alter that schedule from now on.

My BMW independent mechanic said that BMW is replacing a lot of these under warranty. The infrequent oil change is the current suspect, but who knows. $584.

bozola · 10-02-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodzilla

Yeah, waiting for those long oil changes is horrible.

Especially if it fails your VANOS solenoids.

BMW86 · 10-02-2012, 08:11 PM

Vanos solenoid is a common problem on these cars. Fairly inexpensive fix and easy DIY. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Isdaako · 10-04-2012, 07:24 AM

This?

Bill B. · 10-04-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

Vanos solenoid is a common problem on these cars. Fairly inexpensive fix and easy DIY. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

On the N54, yes. I suppose that is probably why they redesigned the solenoids on the N55. The non-return valve and screen filter are now part of the solenoid on the N55, apparently to keep them from getting gunked up and sticking.

Bill B. · 10-04-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isdaako

This?

Yeah, #2 in this picture

Isdaako · 10-05-2012, 06:12 AM

Not to derail the thread, but if the long oil change interval causes a sensor to fail what's it doing to the rest of the motor? (rhetorical)

Glad the OP's problem was solved.

Dackelone · 10-05-2012, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isdaako

Not to derail the thread, but if the long oil change interval causes a sensor to fail what's it doing to the rest of the motor? (rhetorical)

That is why the Best oil is Fresh oil. I don't believe in BMW's very long OCI's.

Isdaako · 10-05-2012, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

That is why the Best oil is Fresh oil. I don't believe in BMW's very long OCI's.

Agree.

Dackelone · 11-10-2013, 08:18 AM

Just came across this DIY video on replacing teh vanos sensors...

bozola · 11-27-2013, 08:59 PM

Mmmmh.. after watching the 23 minute video. I wonder why my independent charged me 2 hours of labor for this job....

lastMleft · 11-27-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozola

Mmmmh.. after watching the 23 minute video. I wonder why my independent charged me 2 hours of labor for this job....

Did not look complicated at all

TheSt|G · 11-28-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozola

Mmmmh.. after watching the 23 minute video. I wonder why my independent charged me 2 hours of labor for this job....

Probably the flat rate.

KNTDRV · 11-28-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozola

Mmmmh.. after watching the 23 minute video. I wonder why my independent charged me 2 hours of labor for this job....

No...that's about right. He fit 2 breaks and a lunch in there also.

Deutsche-Broke · 11-28-2013, 10:54 PM

Don't forget the 401K, insurance, bonuses and the hot sales manager pool..

Dackelone · 11-28-2013, 11:14 PM

Mechanics got to eat too(and make their boat payments) as well.

Actually, two hours labor sounds fair to me. After all they also had to diagnosis your problem! Most shops will charge that much to replace a simple brake job(rotors and pads) so its not highway robbery by any means. Like someone said... its just the book time(flat rate) that the job pays. Don't like it... go replace them yourself next time around.

bozola · 11-29-2013, 11:36 AM

I love my independent shop. I'd highly recommend them to anyone. I think flat rate is right.

Vorsprung_CJB · 11-30-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill B.

On the N54, yes. I suppose that is probably why they redesigned the solenoids on the N55. The non-return valve and screen filter are now part of the solenoid on the N55, apparently to keep them from getting gunked up and sticking.

Hmm, can the N55 solenoids be used on the N54? I was only able to find one picture but it looks like it might fit, assuming it functions and signals the same.

ptack · 11-30-2013, 03:03 PM

N54 has issues with the oem vanos. Mine ended up all being replaced under warranty and I've had no problems since (about 50k more miles). If you're using a good synthetic oil there's no point to changing it unless you want to replace the filter. Years ago there were long threads here about oil changes and test/analysis people had done on used oil. Essentially, synthetic oil is pretty bullet proof. At 3,000 miles it's virtually unchanged from new.

10-02-2012, 03:48 PM	#1
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	"Service Engine Soon" = 2 Vanos Solenoids replaced.... Four months and 5K out of warranty. My independent mechanic suspects long oil change intervals.... FYI.
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10-02-2012, 05:46 PM	#2
Rodzilla Lieutenant 31 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2008 Montego Blue 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [0.00]	Yeah, waiting for those long oil changes is horrible. __________________ There are no impossible deeds, only incapable men. Eibach frontsway,BMS JB4,AFE Drop InBerk Street Axleback, H&R SPORT SPRINGS,Active Autowerke DP's ,Active Autowerke BOV,Active Autowerke FMIC , BMWPEDALS.COM, JB SPEED Black Grills,Alpina B3 TCU Flash
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10-02-2012, 08:08 PM	#4
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	It's all fixed and works now. I know that there is a lot of 'oil change' debate, and I tend to think that 3000 miles oil change are too often. Then I knew the guy that never changed his oil, only his filters. I guess I trusted the BMW service interval, but will alter that schedule from now on. My BMW independent mechanic said that BMW is replacing a lot of these under warranty. The infrequent oil change is the current suspect, but who knows. $584.
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10-02-2012, 08:11 PM	#6
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Vanos solenoid is a common problem on these cars. Fairly inexpensive fix and easy DIY. I wouldn't be too worried about it.
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10-04-2012, 07:24 AM	#7
Isdaako Private First Class 1 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 128i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Devils Tower iTrader: (0)	This?
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10-05-2012, 06:12 AM	#10
Isdaako Private First Class 1 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 128i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Devils Tower iTrader: (0)	Not to derail the thread, but if the long oil change interval causes a sensor to fail what's it doing to the rest of the motor? (rhetorical) Glad the OP's problem was solved.
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11-10-2013, 08:18 AM	#13
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Just came across this DIY video on replacing teh vanos sensors... __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-27-2013, 08:59 PM	#14
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	Mmmmh.. after watching the 23 minute video. I wonder why my independent charged me 2 hours of labor for this job....
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11-28-2013, 10:54 PM	#18
Deutsche-Broke First Lieutenant 110 Rep 393 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Northwest US iTrader: (0)	Don't forget the 401K, insurance, bonuses and the hot sales manager pool..
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11-28-2013, 11:14 PM	#19
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Mechanics got to eat too(and make their boat payments) as well. Actually, two hours labor sounds fair to me. After all they also had to diagnosis your problem! Most shops will charge that much to replace a simple brake job(rotors and pads) so its not highway robbery by any means. Like someone said... its just the book time(flat rate) that the job pays. Don't like it... go replace them yourself next time around. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-29-2013, 11:36 AM	#20
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	I love my independent shop. I'd highly recommend them to anyone. I think flat rate is right.
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11-30-2013, 03:03 PM	#22
ptack Brigadier General 266 Rep 4,469 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	N54 has issues with the oem vanos. Mine ended up all being replaced under warranty and I've had no problems since (about 50k more miles). If you're using a good synthetic oil there's no point to changing it unless you want to replace the filter. Years ago there were long threads here about oil changes and test/analysis people had done on used oil. Essentially, synthetic oil is pretty bullet proof. At 3,000 miles it's virtually unchanged from new. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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