2A87- any way to tell if it is just a VANOS Solenoid vs. Cam Bearing Ledges?

KaiserN54 · 04-27-2013, 12:57 PM

I have only gotten the code once recently while WOT on the freeway. I will get the VANOS replaced (+ an oil change b/c I need to replace my oil filter housing gasket anyways) but I will have a hard time sleeping until I know for sure if it is anything worse. Are there any tell tale signs/symptoms? These are the original VANOS, have 75k on them.

Indo Rider · 04-27-2013, 01:07 PM

I feared the bearing ledges too after clean and swap didn't help at all, but after replacing both I've not had a Vanos code since.

marv85 · 04-27-2013, 03:12 PM

Most of the times it's the solenoids. I would take the chance and do the solenoids.

blacknbean · 04-27-2013, 03:34 PM

you have to physically inspect the bearing ledge to tell. just replace the vanos and hope it fixes it.

BTG · 04-28-2013, 06:49 AM

Cam bearings are very rare. Try new solenoids and a fresh oil change.

joec500 · 04-28-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiserN54

I have only gotten the code once recently while WOT on the freeway. I will get the VANOS replaced (+ an oil change b/c I need to replace my oil filter housing gasket anyways) but I will have a hard time sleeping until I know for sure if it is anything worse. Are there any tell tale signs/symptoms? These are the original VANOS, have 75k on them.

Damn, you have 75k miles on your 2011? That's crazy!

Anyways, I had the camshaft issue, but I have a 2007, I think they worked out the kinks in later models.

raceyBMW · 04-28-2013, 11:30 PM

I think the ledges were only an issue on the early 335's, I'm sure its just the solenoids.

KaiserN54 · 04-29-2013, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joec500

Damn, you have 75k miles on your 2011? That's crazy!

Anyways, I had the camshaft issue, but I have a 2007, I think they worked out the kinks in later models.

Oh, haha. No, I don't have a 2011. I also don't live in "turbotown." I was paranoid about my dealer figuring out that I was FBO after a new set of turbos failed in like 1900 miles. Since I was the only guy in my area with these unique problems...so I edited my profile to make it harder to trace me.

My car is a 05/07 build so...I could be screwed. Should find out some time today.

I see the parts don't cost much. Yet I hear horror stories about the cost?

ChuckeyNewhouse · 04-29-2013, 09:51 AM

I have an 07 and had my camshaft ledges replaced around 40k. At first, the dealership replaced one of the vanos solenoids then the other solenoid went shortly after, then finally I kept on getting the code and they replaced the camshaft ledges. All issues happened while tuned and untuned. Good luck

raceyBMW · 04-29-2013, 11:11 AM

The parts are relatively cheap (realOEM says its ~450 for the ledges), its the labor to install because the entire valve cover has to be pulled (which requires pulling injectors and the like). Its a labor intensive process. Plus I think the cams have to be pulled, which requires resetting the timing.

I should note I also wasn't tuned at the time, and I needed the bearing ledges replaced. Like ChuckeyNewhouse said above, they usually start by replacing solenoids, and if the faults still persist, then its time to replace the ledges.

joec500 · 04-29-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiserN54

Oh, haha. No, I don't have a 2011. I also don't live in "turbotown." I was paranoid about my dealer figuring out that I was FBO after a new set of turbos failed in like 1900 miles. Since I was the only guy in my area with these unique problems...so I edited my profile to make it harder to trace me.

My car is a 05/07 build so...I could be screwed. Should find out some time today.

I see the parts don't cost much. Yet I hear horror stories about the cost?

Ahhhh, at around 25k miles they actually replaced the entire cam shafts, not just the ledges, but thankfully I had warranty. The labor is a bit intense, they get the car on the lift, lock the motor on TDC (Top Dead Center) and take apart the whole top half the engine. Just make sure you bring the car to a reputable place. The dealer actually made a mistake when they took re-assembled my car and forgot a rocker!!!!

ChuckeyNewhouse · 04-29-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joec500

Ahhhh, at around 25k miles they actually replaced the entire cam shafts, not just the ledges, but thankfully I had warranty. The labor is a bit intense, they get the car on the lift, lock the motor on TDC (Top Dead Center) and take apart the whole top half the engine. Just make sure you bring the car to a reputable place. The dealer actually made a mistake when they took re-assembled my car and forgot a rocker!!!!

Dayam! At least you were under warranty.

04-27-2013, 12:57 PM	#1
KaiserN54 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2007 335I Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Turbotown iTrader: (0)	2A87- any way to tell if it is just a VANOS Solenoid vs. Cam Bearing Ledges? I have only gotten the code once recently while WOT on the freeway. I will get the VANOS replaced (+ an oil change b/c I need to replace my oil filter housing gasket anyways) but I will have a hard time sleeping until I know for sure if it is anything worse. Are there any tell tale signs/symptoms? These are the original VANOS, have 75k on them.
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04-27-2013, 01:07 PM	#2
Indo Rider Captain 555 Rep 735 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I feared the bearing ledges too after clean and swap didn't help at all, but after replacing both I've not had a Vanos code since.
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04-27-2013, 03:12 PM	#3
marv85 Colonel 70 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (7)	Most of the times it's the solenoids. I would take the chance and do the solenoids. __________________ '07 E92 335i 6MT- HP650, inlets/outlets, ER FMIC, VRSF CP, LPFP stg2, CSF rad, 'is Aux rad, ER OC, Ohlins, M control arms, eibach front sway bar. '05 C55 AMG SOLD - '22 Tesla M3P \| '10 E92 335i M, 6MT COBB, FBO, st2 LPFP, Mfactory LSD \| '07 E90 335i, PTF COBB E50, FBO, HFS4
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04-27-2013, 03:34 PM	#4
blacknbean Major 14 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: LA iTrader: (2)	you have to physically inspect the bearing ledge to tell. just replace the vanos and hope it fixes it.
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04-28-2013, 06:49 AM	#5
BTG Driver 13 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 14 335i Xdrive AW/CR Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast PA iTrader: (5)	Cam bearings are very rare. Try new solenoids and a fresh oil change.
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04-28-2013, 11:30 PM	#7
raceyBMW king of the hills 92 Rep 2,915 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	I think the ledges were only an issue on the early 335's, I'm sure its just the solenoids.
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04-29-2013, 09:51 AM	#9
ChuckeyNewhouse =Surf City= 7 Rep 107 Posts Drives: E92 SG 335i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	I have an 07 and had my camshaft ledges replaced around 40k. At first, the dealership replaced one of the vanos solenoids then the other solenoid went shortly after, then finally I kept on getting the code and they replaced the camshaft ledges. All issues happened while tuned and untuned. Good luck
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04-29-2013, 11:11 AM	#10
raceyBMW king of the hills 92 Rep 2,915 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	The parts are relatively cheap (realOEM says its ~450 for the ledges), its the labor to install because the entire valve cover has to be pulled (which requires pulling injectors and the like). Its a labor intensive process. Plus I think the cams have to be pulled, which requires resetting the timing. I should note I also wasn't tuned at the time, and I needed the bearing ledges replaced. Like ChuckeyNewhouse said above, they usually start by replacing solenoids, and if the faults still persist, then its time to replace the ledges.
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