[Wibi.M]

Hi Guys, just wondering, has anyone had a valve problem before on their 335? or any 3 series car?
While i was driving on the high way last week, the signal "Engine Malfunction, reduced power" came up 3 times; i had to pull over, restart the car -__-. The next few days i brought it to BMW and they told me it was a valve problem.

The guy told me the closing and opening of the valve wasn't right, and could cause severe damage to the engine if not serviced.

any help?

Thanks!

[Sparky66]

Sounds like a Vanos Solenoid control problem. Bring it in to your Service dealer ASAP..

[UndergroundEuros]

i had the same promblem they told me it was my CAI so I took it out and so far crossing my fingers it hasn't happen again.

[De90man]

This happened to me two years ago. The tech told me it was a "VANOS Solenoid Failure" and a terminal one at that. So your valve problem is real and BMW knows about it.

After 30 days, they 'lemoned' the car, and told me they were sorry and to come pick out ANY 335i on the lot no matter the options (payment stayed the same). They also told me they would fix my old car a resale it some how.

Disclosure: I ran the JB2 for about 10k miles before the problem. But I don't think this had anything to do with it. Ran the JB2 on my new car and eventually the JB3 with no problems.

Good luck and remember, the dealer should do anything in their power to keep you happy.

[Wibi.M]

Originally Posted by Sparky66

Sounds like a Vanos Solenoid control problem. Bring it in to your Service dealer ASAP..

Just got my car back from BMW, yeah, it was the Vanos problem; the person said it was kind of jammed because of some sticky dirts or whatever. After they cleaned them, tested on high ways & cities, it was back to normal. Moreover, i feel the car somehow got a little faster @_@
!!

thanks Sparky!

[Wibi.M]

Originally Posted by De90man

This happened to me two years ago. The tech told me it was a "VANOS Solenoid Failure" and a terminal one at that. So your valve problem is real and BMW knows about it.

After 30 days, they 'lemoned' the car, and told me they were sorry and to come pick out ANY 335i on the lot no matter the options (payment stayed the same). They also told me they would fix my old car a resale it some how.

Disclosure: I ran the JB2 for about 10k miles before the problem. But I don't think this had anything to do with it. Ran the JB2 on my new car and eventually the JB3 with no problems.

Good luck and remember, the dealer should do anything in their power to keep you happy.

Thanks! yeah, i just got my car from bmw, it was the Vanos problem; some sticky stuff in there, they cleaned it up, and now its back no normal..

[Tam@SupremePower]

How many miles was on the cars that had the Vanos Solenoid control problem?

[fisherbln]

My car had 42K when the vanos solenoid had to be cleaned. No problems since (2K miles).

[sashah60]

My car had the exact same problem (VANOS Solenoid issue) yesterday while i was driving and the engine malfunction-reduced power light came on. I am supposed to pick up the car today. The dealer said the factory told em to just clean it for now and see if the problem replicates. The SA said they have test driven the car and the problem hasnt come back. Let see. BTW, my car has 23.5K miles (MY08; 335i cp).

[mwahlert]

does anyone know how to remove the vanos solenoids? i would like to remove and clean mine.

[M3 Eater]

Yes it's easy! Take the engine cover off, and there are two black plugs in the front of the engine, disconnect and remove two screws each. Pop the long tubes out, make sure u have the o ring on both, I don't know how to clean??? Tech never told me how. I just swapped them to see if the problem followed the solenoid. I got the code again later on the same vanos which is odd. There was no visable gunk on mine to clean anyway. Good luck, lot of tuned cars experience this when under heavy boost followed by a cruise. Like if you went to pass someone on the highway and get back in traffic.. I'll say it's a problem alright. Techs aren't allowed to say they know yet I guess as it's not quite a hpfp size issue but is gaining popularity every day!

[mwahlert]

is #1 the vanos Solenoid

[Perfectus]

What codes are thrown when its the valve solenoid?

[gerardm]

Originally Posted by M3 Eater

experience this when under boost followed by a cruise. Like if you went to pass someone on the highway and get back in traffic..

exactly... eventually like me it will happen before you are even done with ur pull. mine happens right at the mid/top of third gear as soon as i am starting to let off the throttle. it blows.

[cooperlee]

sounds like many of us are having the same issues. hope the dealer can fix my solenoid issues too next week. Just sucks that i got to remove the JB and other parts before dropping off the car....

[Alex@TAG]

The dealer has replaced mine once already. I ahve been running the GIAC flash for about 8k miles now and been constantly having the same issues. Then they went ahead and replaced 3 injectors and a camshaft lift sensor as the camshaft was grooved (i think) and it still didnt solve the problem.

Ive been driving for about 5k with the ongoing problem and now they have just flashed and updated my ECU. Picked the car back from the dealer and even with the stock file, same issue. They have replaced the vanos once, cleaned it another, and updated the ecu and still no fix...

Does this call for Lemon Law yet? haha

[mwahlert]

Originally Posted by RE5PEKT

The dealer has replaced mine once already. I ahve been running the GIAC flash for about 8k miles now and been constantly having the same issues. Then they went ahead and replaced 3 injectors and a camshaft lift sensor as the camshaft was grooved (i think) and it still didnt solve the problem.

Ive been driving for about 5k with the ongoing problem and now they have just flashed and updated my ECU. Picked the car back from the dealer and even with the stock file, same issue. They have replaced the vanos once, cleaned it another, and updated the ecu and still no fix...

Does this call for Lemon Law yet? haha

they haven't replaced the camshaft ledges?

[raceyBMW]

I just had the camshaft ledge replacement done on my car (not sure if intake or exhaust cam). I threw a half engine light and reduced power with the vanos code a week ago, which is why they did the repair. Engine always had a rough spot at ~1200 RPM which is now gone after the repair and I got a software update.

[Alex@TAG]

Originally Posted by mwahlert

they haven't replaced the camshaft ledges?

Yup they did that already!

[joec500]

Did they replace the actual cam shaft? That's what they did with my car.

[cooperlee]

Its your VANOS Solenoids that needs to be replaced. I just had mine replaced by the dealer this past week. Car is running strong and clean as ever now. Just a pain in the ass to remove all the mods before dropping off to dealer!!!!!

[roadkillrob]

There are several things BMW just sucks at making - Vanos Solenoids are one of those things, followed by coils, water pumps and HPFP's, besides the new HPFP, the other 3 things have been breaking for 10 years regularly!