Metal VANOS Cover Failure - MUST READ!

Helmsman wrote

Just slightly rotated and deformed. Yes we're driving on the same side...

mine is in similar condition...

These are what mine looked like on my E92 when I replaced them with the SLON covers. Looked quite mint with no deformation or any sort. Was already in there so I just went ahead and replaced them.

I’ll check my E90 to see how they are but I suspect the same.

valve float wrote

mine is in similar condition...

Exactly how mine where looking mate.

I decided that 65k supercharged miles is enough on VAC rod bearings and am scheduling time with my shop to swap out to BE rod bearings, on order from Turner. Despite my metal clip-on vanos covers looking ok at the moment, I don't want to think about it so have the Carbahn bolt-on washer option on order and will have those installed while my car is there. My shop is capable of timing the S65, but his approach is to lock down the crank & cams during the install. That may be a more feasible approach for the average DIYer.

CamasM3e93 wrote

I decided that 65k supercharged miles is enough on VAC rod bearings and am scheduling time with my shop to swap out to BE rod bearings, on order from Turner. Despite my metal clip-on vanos covers looking ok at the moment, I don't want to think about it so have the Carbahn bolt-on washer option on order and will have those installed while my car is there. My shop is capable of timing the S65, but his approach is to lock down the crank & cams during the install. That may be a more feasible approach for the average DIYer.

How many miles on your covers? Don't forget to get some pictures!

CamasM3e93 wrote

I decided that 65k supercharged miles is enough on VAC rod bearings and am scheduling time with my shop to swap out to BE rod bearings, on order from Turner. Despite my metal clip-on vanos covers looking ok at the moment, I don't want to think about it so have the Carbahn bolt-on washer option on order and will have those installed while my car is there. My shop is capable of timing the S65, but his approach is to lock down the crank & cams during the install. That may be a more feasible approach for the average DIYer.

If you can, please let us know how many hours they charge just for the washer install and to retime the car.

Looking into a local option for install and wanted to get an idea of how many hours they may charge for.

panda-R wrote

How many miles on your covers? Don't forget to get some pictures!

1000 or so just put them on this summer.

Soden82 wrote

If you can, please let us know how many hours they charge just for the washer install and to retime the car.

Looking into a local option for install and wanted to get an idea of how many hours they may charge for.

Will do! There is a new washer-style Vanos cover install diy posted in the DIY section. Fyi

😁it’s an awesome diy done by an awesome 😎 lol
Mporium Cups are better than the washers though. It entraps the spring around the perimeter! It just cost a lot more.

I did my VCGs earlier this year and used the metal covers from “he who shall not be named”. Y’all know who I’m referring to.

Got a house call from my guy who I trust my car to with everything letting me know he’s not confident in the product. Digging into the thread and talking to others I know has me worried so I ordered some SLON covers. My guy says he’s had no issues with the SLONs and trusts them more. I’d rather try another set that have a better reputation that run the risk of losing a motor. I’ll take the L with some money out of pocket but I’d rather have peace of mind that be left without my car.

Say what you want but I only care about my car running and driving. I, and everyone else, can check the singular cap they can access through the oil fill cap but that only tells 1/4 of the story unfortunately.

Just out of curiosity…why don’t you just go with the washer/cup route? Is it solely the cost?

charliev68 wrote

Just out of curiosity…why don’t you just go with the washer/cup route? Is it solely the cost?

Yes and no. While the washer/cup route definitely seems like the best method, the cost is not worth it for me. Yes I know, it’s an M3 so there’s gonna be M tax and nothings cheap, but I feel that going through the process to use the cup/washer method is excessive.

This shouldn’t be an issue if people who make and sell parts would just make a quality fucking product. Ultimately, if this doesn’t work either, then I take the L again and just do the washer/cup method. Im learning as I go, and I’ve learned to avoid vendors/products over time. I look at this as another lesson learned

I can respect that. Think of it this way though, re-timing the motor is beneficial. It re-tightens the chain synchronization with the phasers. Kind of a justification

When pressing on the tabs of the vanos covers that I have purchased (but yet to install), the tabs flex quite a lot without much force and I can easily see how these covers could flex enough to unclip themselves from the centrifugal forces.

Mr. C4 wrote

When pressing on the tabs of the vanos covers that I have purchased (but yet to install), the tabs flex quite a lot without much force and I can easily see how these covers could flex enough to unclip themselves from the centrifugal forces.

Which brand are you using?

Redd wrote

Which brand are you using?

I have PMed you as i do not want to mention the brand publicly. If i hold the cover flat in my palm and press with my pinky, the tabs flex several millimeters!

CamasM3e93 wrote

I decided that 65k supercharged miles is enough on VAC rod bearings and am scheduling time with my shop to swap out to BE rod bearings, on order from Turner. Despite my metal clip-on vanos covers looking ok at the moment, I don't want to think about it so have the Carbahn bolt-on washer option on order and will have those installed while my car is there. My shop is capable of timing the S65, but his approach is to lock down the crank & cams during the install. That may be a more feasible approach for the average DIYer.

Can you post a new thread when you go and do this? Unless you haven't started already...

I'm curious how those rod bearings will look.

Mr. C4 wrote

I have PMed you as i do not want to mention the brand publicly. If i hold the cover flat in my palm and press with my pinky, the tabs flex several millimeters!

and that's at room temperature... imagine inside the head

Mr. C4 wrote

I have PMed you as i do not want to mention the brand publicly. If i hold the cover flat in my palm and press with my pinky, the tabs flex several millimeters!

there's no reason not to disclose publicly. either it's a manufacturing defect (very unlikely) and they should own up and replace, or it's a design defect which we should all be aware of.

Yeah I am not sure why the manufacturer shouldn’t be named…if this is a huge issue as it appears to be, then they need to own up to their product and address the issue.

Sooner or later people will find out.

Just my 2 cents.

LKN624 wrote

Yeah I am not sure why the manufacturer shouldn’t be named…if this is a huge issue as it appears to be, then they need to own up to their product and address the issue.

Sooner or later people will find out.

Just my 2 cents.

Because there is a certain someone who goes all rabid the moment you say anything even remotely negative about what he's selling and makes it his sole purpose in life to prove that you are wrong by any means possible including slandering you. So yeah, I know why you don't want to post the brand. I wouldn't wanna deal with his BS either.

Redd wrote

Because there is a certain someone who goes all rabid the moment you say anything even remotely negative about what he's selling and makes it his sole purpose in life to prove that you are wrong by any means possible including slandering you. So yeah, I know why you don't want to post the brand. I wouldn't wanna deal with his BS either.

Don’t fear Matt

I don't fear him. I just have better things to do with my time.