I just want to thank you t800 for making this video. I had a problem with a knocking sound coming from the top of my engine (Not a vanos "rattle" an actual knocking sound). I had it inspected by two "BMW specialist shops" and neither could properly identify the problem although one did say a Vanos complete over haul was going to cost me $3800 dollars Canadian to do. So I did all research I could online and with the help of your video (And Beisan Systems detailed written guide) I did it all myself for the cost of the bolts (about $35 Can). The big problem was that the six bolts on the intake side were so loose they were allowing the vanos to knock as it spun. They were almost all worn half way through to breaking but I got them before they did and now all is well. (There are videos showing this problem on youtube as well). This was on an S54 engine with only 71,000KM and the 2006 model. So don't think things were all fixed in the later years people. As assurance I also replaced the 0 rings and gaskets with the Solenoid Pack from Beisan. Which cost about $400 on top. Here's to hoping the Tabs don't go out on me later. They looked in great condition but only time will tell. Again BIG THANKS TO YOU t800!! Your hard work to video this was monumental in my tackling this job on my own and saving me Thousands of dollars!!

Here I am again, 2 years later, back referencing your video. VANOS has been going strong with your video + Beisan Systems procedures, but now I'm performing a cut/cooper ring head gasket replacement! Just wanted to say eternal thanks for your video, wanted to make sure I remembered some minute steps correctly!

This man has surgical precision. I don't even own an S54 but this was really pleasing to watch. Well done.

Who the f!#* gave him a thumbs down? A dealership? Haha

For some reason this music is perfect for this video

Clean and well done as it should be, Amazing work on a amazing engine and car BMW is one of the loves in my life I do admirer the craftsmanship.

Best video about VANOS. I was looking for something like this for about an hour.

Best video about VANOS. I was looking for something like that for about an hour

Very good vid mate, detailed enough to show the main steps involved. Good, clean and strong looking unit you have there as well ;) Just a tip (If you don't know already), the OEM cam wheel bolts are also a weak point on the S54, they can work themselves loose and strip over time. If they go then as you can guess it's goodbye engine! For this reason decent vanos overhaul specialists fit high tensile bolts instead of the weaker OEM ones.

Mate you know your stuff 👍

I have TWO thumbs, not one. So, know you're given that, mate. I would say, pay no attention to the dislikes. But you have to recognise that hate exists with those who harbour jealously of others who have mastered the craft of his/her talent. Well, done.

не каждый возьмется такое проделать) неожиданно что регулируется только впускной вал, раньше все время думал что на таком двигателе полюбому должны оба.

you need to move the exhaust cam in order to fit the timing pin into the hole in the cam. the engine turns off in the retarded position so you need to advance it manually that way. Then you can access the splined shaft/piston union nut and remove the vanos as shown.

What a beautiful work of engineering you display, and you do it well.

Sir, that is a clean ass engine you got

Very nice job, hat down, but you forgot to mention one important thing: clean or replace the vanos pressure filter and 2 orings.

Only thing I used was the oil pump disk and sealing plate seals. Dr.Vanos replacement hub for one that broke. OEM cam bolts from the dealer.

That's why you have to be very careful to make sure it's reinstalled the same as before. I took before pictures from a few angles to make sure it's perfect.

My m3 has slight bogging around 2000rpm and sometimes has a slight idle bounce cant put my finger on it. Other than that pulls fine, and sounds sweet. Im not confident locking down cams so dont think il try a DIY. Any ideas what o rings can be replaced without the need to get into the whole TDC? Epic video, watched it twice

Brilliant video, thanks for spending the time making it, much appreciated.

This is extremely well done. Thanks!

Hello, just saw your video and realized at the TDC the exhaust cam is a tad higher from the intake cam. i was just finishing up my vanos refresh and noticed when at TDC my exhaust cam was higher and i got concerned if something was a miss but your vid showed the same scenario as mine.

Excellent video, sir. I've watched his perhaps a hundred times (among other videos and DIY guides, particularly Beisan System's procedures) in preparation for performing this DIY. I know this isn't in your video, but did you happen to replace the chain guide at any point? If so, did you simply just re-align the sprockets to the oil residue markings where the bolts insert?

Thanks for a very helpful video. Two questions. First, I assume that your removal of the vans piston caps and solenoid serve to eliminate the necessity of the 1-2-3-4 and compressed air BMW tool for putting the vanos in initial position? Second, I assume you disconnect the splined shafts to avoid having to reset the timing of the cams and that if you were replacing cams, you would simply remove the vanos with the splined shafts attached?

Did you strictly use Beisan's products? My solenoid pack, oil pump disk, and seals came in thr mail today. Pretty excited.

So what special tools are necessary for this? Timing tool to hold the cams and what else?

Mine was not rattling and the splined shafts had no axial play so it was pointless to mess with it

By chance do you have a torque spec for the bolts at @7:50 I have a slight weep from the motor and think mine were not tight enough but can't find a spec. Thank you

It's called the Random Access Memories Vanderway remix.

excellent vid and good choice of music...

Hi what's the song called in the background

Great VID.! 👍 Does your 24mm wrench fit the cam flats ok? In a different VID they mentioned having to reduced the thickness of the 24mm wrench. Did you need to thin yours or was it good to go as is? Thanks again.

How much do you think it would cost to fix ?

Sorry, I am back. Just purchased the oil pump disk and rebuilt solenoid pack. Around 1:45 or so when you're turning the exhaust cam slightly to assist in releasing the VANOS unit from the engine, you locked your cam pin to keep it positioned until reinstallation. My question is, when you went to reinstall the VANOS unit after the rebuild, did you have to slightly turn the cam back to its original position prior to slightly turning it to release it? I imagine this is going to happen irregardless, when lining up the exhaust cam hub driver tabs into the oil pump disk holes... am I incorrect on this? Just want to make sure so I don't mess up timing from a small detail such as this. I guess this is why you recommend to rotate the crank by hand to make sure there's no interference.

Maybe when I do the subframe epoxy reinforcement I will do it.

well done

very nice video!

Awesome video man.... Post more DIYs ;-)

Very useful!

Good job.

thumbs up to you for sharing

another question, so I just did my cam bolts thinking it was the cause of the rattle but its not, all of my cam bolts are in perfectly good shape, not even a sign of them wearing down. What else could the rattle come from? I checked my chain guide and it seems to be ok, will change it anyway as I already got the beisan upper chain guide replacement. if it isn't the upper chain guide what else could there be? The rattle sound is pretty distinct especially at 2-2.5k rpm, haven't tried revving the engine over that as a precaution and only revved it to 2.5k twice to see where the sound was coming from, when I checked it was coming from the vanos and when I put my hand on it (on a cold start) I can feel the rattle coming from the vanos and when I put my ear on the vanos I can hear it the most on the intake side hence why I assumed it was the cam bolts as its most common for the intake cam bolts to break off/back off. I checked my spline and there's very little to no play on it as well. I am quite baffled on what the rattle could be. Some say theirs were actually their water pump but I literally just replaced my water pump about less than 50miles before this rattle came up. I will be re-drilling my vanos exhaust pump disk, we just don't have the right drill bit size right now but I have access to a good drill press in my ship. I will most likely cryo treat my hub as well since there's a place locally that does it. Thanks in advance for any tips that you think I should check next!

Really helpful, about to have this done on my e46 M3 as well.. what's the name of the second mix if you don't mind :)??

Thanks for share.. lovely video :)

Do I need to move exhaust cam a bit to remove vanos unit(taking out the bolt connected to the Vanos)? Nice DIY Video! Thanks

confused about the timing. Beisan's method involves loosening up sprocket hub bolts.. this method seems like you aligned the hole on the intake side at the beginning and put in the alignment pin.. and then afterwards while removing the vanos you adjusted the exhaust side while pulling the vanos til its light up and put the alignment pin in w/o loosening any sprocket hub? or did you loosen them??? I was wondering how the exhaust cam shaft moved w/o trying to move the chain..

@t800 is it mandatory to use the flywheel locking pin during the cam bolt replacement?

Clean engine.

whats that song?

great vid do you have to use compressed airline on the unit or is that optional

I've lost timing on my s54 because I attempted to do a valve adjustment while doing the beisan upgrade to the vanos while the vanos was uninstalled. take note anyone doing this at home. How do I go about restoring my timing with the cam locking bridge and TDC pin?

I have a BMW 328i 2011 coupe. Lately I've been hearing a light clicking noise but there's no engine light on. When I'm driving it feels like it's on manual and it takes long to accelerate. Could it be this? My warranty just expired last month.. How much would it cost more or less if that's the issue to the noise? Wouldn't an engine light turn on? How much does the entire part cost? Thanks ...that noise is stressing me out.

please, what is a MAF Cleaner at 3:11 ?

how many hours of work is this. I have a shop that claims this is 26 hours of work, which is absurd.

So one question so far...how does this guy keep his hands so clean? Just opening the bonnet and my hands are filth!

Not correct!

waste of time for nothing this Vanos is made ​​as improved old Vanos from m54 engine because of rubber O ring wear. From my point of view this Vanos is lifetime functional.

This DIY is wrong