Metal VANOS Cover Failure - MUST READ!

Redd wrote

Hi Abdul. I hope you're sending out recall emails to all your customers telling them that the original Alu covers have a flaw so that they can get replacements.

I get both sides of the argument, but things always improve, you don’t get a new car when the new model comes out.

Redd
Even though the engineers have concluded and confirmed that the Alu covers do not have any flaws other than they fact they do not believe the Alu covers are “Lifetime” part. Rather they should be treated like a wearable item and change them out. Aren’t the bearings in your car the same way? So that’s nothing new. Since SLON, VT, Evolve or EPM never claimed that they are a lifetime part, I don’t see a problem.

The stainless steel versions are a “Lifetime” part. That’s the main advantage of the stainless steel version. Plus, since the tolerances are so tight, I believe a metrology lab report is necessary for each unit to ensure there is ZERO machine or human error involved. These are two advantages over my original aluminum covers and the other covers on the market.


Did BE offer a replacement for people who installed V1’s of their bearings? Or did they offer replacements for ARP bolts that they used initially that were Chevy ones that they cut? No, they didn’t.

But that’s not the one way I operate. I’ve already emailed my customers and am offering a rebate for the covers when they come out. So don’t worry about it. I’m on top of it.

Having seen alu vanos covers fail in a short time (not specifically EPM sets), and having seen loose EPM covers I would disagree with your statement above. A recall is the responsible thing to do. But you do you.

Redd wrote

Having seen alu vanos covers fail in a short time (not specifically EPM sets), and having seen loose EPM covers I would disagree with your statement above. A recall is the responsible thing to do. But you do you.

Thanks for your suggestion. We have not had one case of EPM covers failing and you know that as well. We have seen two or three instances of loose EPM covers out of 500+ sets sold. We have seen loose SLON covers as well. Was it an install error? Or was the specific cover slightly out of tolerance? Who knows.

Let’s focus on the fact that we actually have a solution. I’ll take care of my customers. I’m loyal to them. So you don’t have to worry about that.

No real concerns about the added weight of solid stainless steel compared to cutout aluminum or the original plastic? I would think there had to be a reason BMW used plastic.

nick3753 wrote

No real concerns about the added weight of solid stainless steel compared to cutout aluminum or the original plastic? I would think there had to be a reason BMW used plastic.

Why does BMW opt for cheap plastics when there is a durable, permanent, metal alternative? Bean counters. See their cooling systems.

spammysammich wrote

Why does BMW opt for cheap plastics when there is a durable, permanent, metal alternative? Bean counters. See their cooling systems.

I think the primary motivation was weight savings. Similar decisions made by Audi on the S4 engine from same era. Their plastic rails and timing chain guides / sprockets ended up requiring the motor to come out to address around 100k miles. I assume plastics are still going into engines but more durable options now

In my experience with product development, the cheaper play at scale will win out even at the expense of durability. I would bet money this is the case over weight savings.

nick3753 wrote

No real concerns about the added weight of solid stainless steel compared to cutout aluminum or the original plastic? I would think there had to be a reason BMW used plastic.

Going from plastic covers to steel covers increases the angular momentum and rotational inertial loading of the covers by a factor of ~10. Angular velocity at redline is ~71.7 rotations/sec = ~25,810 degrees/sec (camshaft rpm = engine rpm / 2). Plastic was selected to minimize the inertial loading generated by the covers. Basically, they minimized parasitic losses.

CamasM3e93 wrote

I think the primary motivation was weight savings. Similar decisions made by Audi on the S4 engine from same era. Their plastic rails and timing chain guides / sprockets ended up requiring the motor to come out to address around 100k miles. I assume plastics are still going into engines but more durable options now

spammysammich wrote

In my experience with product development, the cheaper play at scale will win out even at the expense of durability. I would bet money this is the case over weight savings.

I think you both are right. They likely went after it because it was both cheap and lightweight. They probably thought it would last the life of the engine from what they knew at the time. It would have been difficult to truly know how the material would hold up after 10+ years of aging.

I wish plastic replacement covers were available to avoid redesign issues. I certainly would not complain if I had to replace them every 10 years. This part does not have to be "permanent" because it is very likely that the valve covers will weep within that 10 year period anyway. Just pop new plastic ones on at that time and be done till next time.

rantarM3 wrote

I wish plastic replacement covers were available to avoid redesign issues. I certainly would not complain if I had to replace them every 10 years. This part does not have to be "permanent" because it is very likely that the valve covers will weep within that 10 year period anyway. Just pop new plastic ones on at that time and be done till next time.

Exactly, not sure why you can get every other plastic part for the car, but not these.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3ljh07J5VC/?igsh=aXZlZmRyc21vcXBr

LKN624 wrote

I didn't either and decided to replace them. I took my valve covers off and inspected the stock plastic claps and they were in perfect condition with no signs of any cracks or warpage...but decided to replace them anyways since I was already in there.

My buddy said the same. We’re perfect. But just broke as soon as he breathed on it lol

Watching these Vanos covers getting machined is so satisfying! Many of you have been asking me about putting your order in to purchase them. I’ll update you guys soon.

Abdul, instead of creating new products you should fullfill the orders of other products you took my money (fuel filter) since many months you never shipped and since 2 months you were supposed to send me. I have asked you last week to refund me by email and you never replied to me. Do not ship. I want my refund. Sorry but please reply to my email

I especially like trying to advertise new products in a thread about the potential flaws of your prior version.

Abdul Hi Abdul, your PM box is full.

I am following up with you to get an update on the billet silver valve covers that I pre-ordered.

I was told 4-6 weeks and am just checking in on things.
I messaged the EAE instagram account but got left on read.

Kindly advise.
Thanks,
Alex

lauz wrote

Abdul, instead of creating new products you should fullfill the orders of other products you took my money (fuel filter) since many months you never shipped and since 2 months you were supposed to send me. I have asked you last week to refund me by email and you never replied to me. Do not ship. I want my refund. Sorry but please reply to my email

Same here, sent a deposit in in the first week of preorders.

reidetailing wrote

Abdul Hi Abdul, your PM box is full.

I am following up with you to get an update on the billet silver valve covers that I pre-ordered.

I was told 4-6 weeks and am just checking in on things.
I messaged the EAE instagram account but got left on read.

Kindly advise.
Thanks,
Alex

Abdul following up.

drwankel wrote

There have been issues with slon covers as well. In addition to the people that have documented their issues in this thread including myself, there have been a few people that have reached out to me privately who also had Slon clips coming undone.

I'll say it again folks: Bolt on covers are the only answer.

What's your opinion on evolve vanos covers? They do clip in but seem like they would have much less of a failure rate than SLON

M3anest wrote

What's your opinion on evolve vanos covers? They do clip in but seem like they would have much less of a failure rate than SLON

Lack of data so far as they are too new. We didn't start seeing issues with SLON and the copies until years later.

Could be fine, or they all start blowing up in 2 years. Hell of a gamble to play with a $25K engine.

The only thing I could confidently recommend at this point is the bolt on covers from carbahn or mporium.