[NZE90]

Just wanted to share this to show the importance of maintenance. They're out of my F10 but still relevant as it has the N52. When i bought this car, i discovered the oil filter central cage was missing from the oil filter cap, so the oil was not being filtered. This is the result. I'm surprised it runs so well, doesn't throw VANOS codes, and doesn't use oil.

[NZE90]

Vanos filters

[mainbearing]

Thanks, definitely makes me want to check mine for peace of mind!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Thanks, definitely makes me want to check mine for peace of mind!

I've been reluctant to pull mine to check/clean as I'm worried the O-ring will get damaged. It's probably super hard and fused in place, so pulling the filter would dislodge that. At least that's what my thinking is on it. Should just simply replace them as the internal springs are surely getting a little tired by this point.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I've been reluctant to pull mine to check/clean as I'm worried the O-ring will get damaged. It's probably super hard and fused in place, so pulling the filter would dislodge that. At least that's what my thinking is on it. Should just simply replace them as the internal springs are surely getting a little tired by this point.

I wouldn't worry, if you're not having any VANOS or timing related codes they're probably fine. Seeing photos like the ones above had me paranoid with my old 325i because that car had been run HARD and somewhat neglected by its previous owner. The color under the valve cover wasn't pretty, lots of blackish brown. Then I had an intermittent exhaust timing code. Cleaned and swapped VANOS solenoids and I removed the check valves to clean them but they were spotless, still shiny with no black crud. No more codes after the VANOS solenoid clean and swap.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I wouldn't worry, if you're not having any VANOS or timing related codes they're probably fine. Seeing photos like the ones above had me paranoid with my old 325i because that car had been run HARD and somewhat neglected by its previous owner. The color under the valve cover wasn't pretty, lots of blackish brown. Then I had an intermittent exhaust timing code. Cleaned and swapped VANOS solenoids and I removed the check valves to clean them but they were spotless, still shiny with no black crud. No more codes after the VANOS solenoid clean and swap.

Yeah, my cars have pretty regular oil changes, so I figure they're not terrible. Just coming up on 20 years old and a quarter million miles. But VANOS solenoids have been fine so far, so no codes for me!

[EwenMac]

I’ve done this recently and with no previous service history I was concerned with what I might find, as it turned out both were spotless, so after 232300 km I’m happy with that

[mattanderson]

Good PSA!

Replacements (11367541692) are < $40 each, so I'm planning to preventatively swap mine out when I find the time.