[Andrew3424]

Help was changing my vanos solonoid and the o ring fell inside the cam chain drive what should I do will that mess up my engine

[dklobuci]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I'd just like to comment again on the usefulness of this post. If you use the Bentley manual for diagnosis of the 2A82 or 87 fault code, it really doesn't lead you to look at the VANOS solenoids as the culprit. This post, along with the Bentley led me to first consider the solenoids as the issue.

Now after 600 miles that I've put on my car since I cleaned and replaced my solenoids all I can say is the car is running better than ever.

I have a theory that swapping the solenoids positions (from exhaust to intake) is actually a good practice. I think the solenoids "work in" to the control position they are located and go through a repetitive range of motion that lends them, over time, to get clogged. Swapping them to the opposite cam now allows them to run a different cam control routine in a different range of motion which allows them to function as "new" parts.

I'd recommend what I did as the fix. Clean the solenoids with cleaner and shop air, and reinstall them in the opposite location. This procedure is so easy, that if the code does pop up again in the opposite location, a new part is justified and easily installed. This will procedure also lets you diagnose the problem further because if you swap the solenoids and the same code shows up (i.e. it doesn't follow the solenoid from the exaust side to the intake side, or vice versa) then the cam position sensor for that cam (which close by in the head) is the next part failure to consider.

I was told to clean both solenoids with gas so I put both standing it a bucket of gas only covering the metal part and I accidentally hit the bucket by accident and made both fall in the gas even the part where the connection goes got wet with gas I quickly removed and dried with leaf blower. They were 1k mile old solenoids.. now im getting code 2a82 and 3100 could the gas mess up the solinoids?

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by dklobuci

I was told to clean both solenoids with gas so I put both standing it a bucket of gas only covering the metal part and I accidentally hit the bucket by accident and made both fall in the gas even the part where the connection goes got wet with gas I quickly removed and dried with leaf blower. They were 1k mile old solenoids.. now im getting code 2a82 and 3100 could the gas mess up the solinoids?

it depends on what type of codes you were getting before you replaced the solenoids. I doubt the gas could have caused a problem after only being on the solenoids for a brief period of time. These solenoids are purely mechanical devices, but in the future, use carb cleaner in a situation like this.

[dklobuci]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

it depends on what type of codes you were getting before you replaced the solenoids. I doubt the gas could have caused a problem after only being on the solenoids for a brief period of time. These solenoids are purely mechanical devices, but in the future, use carb cleaner in a situation like this.

thanks for the advice..fixed my issue, so i cleaned both vanos solenoids and replaced both solenoid camshaft sensors but when i put vanos solenoids back in i put the black connector clips on the wrong side. exhaust > intake and intake > exhaust .. this caused the car to go on limp mode at start up it would start and going down once at 800 rmp would shoot to 1300 and go on limp mode. i checked connectors and fixed it and now the car is fine. stupid rush mistake from me.

[bigdaddycane]

why did you replace the camshaft sensor? that was a waste of time and money IMO. When you get those codes its rarely the camshaft sensors

[Eurocraze]

got these codes and some others, all intake side.... swapped them, and they swtiched to exhaust side, quick way to test and see if it is one or the other or both. Also, what the shop told me was that it comes from prolonged oil changes, especially if you are tuned and driving "agressive" so keep that in mind.

Funny thing, i took it to bmw for this issue and they told me i had to replace my entire vanos system, which was a $3k bill for parts n labor.

[oogabooga]

So I was told my my service advisor that the service bulletin for this problem recommends them to change the oil after replacing the solenoids. They quoted me around $600 so I am going to attempt this DIY to save me money. Should I change the oil after changing these? Haven't seen anyone mention this before.

[petelazro]

whats the reason for swapping the intake and exhaust solenoids?

are they swap-able for the n52 as well as the n54?

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by petelazro

whats the reason for swapping the intake and exhaust solenoids?

are they swap-able for the n52 as well as the n54?

yes

[petelazro]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

yes

whats the reason for swapping the noids though and why are people getting better results after swapping them?

i have no codes only rough idle.

[bigdaddycane]

the write up above explains why

basically, if you have codes (i know you dont) swapping them checks to see if the code moves from the intake side to the exhaust side or vice versa.

if you have rough idle symptoms, take them out and clean them (as stated above) and put them back. Cheap way to see if the idle issue is caused by the solenoids.

[petelazro]

perfect thanks.would i need to reset the adaptations through bt tool?

[bigdaddycane]

I don't thinks so....but it couldn't hurt

those solenoids are mechanical and open to allow oil to to travel up into the cam ledges.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by petelazro

whats the reason for swapping the noids though and why are people getting better results after swapping them?

i have no codes only rough idle.

I came up with the idea of swapping them from reading the Bentley service manual, where it suggested using that technique to trace a faulty code. Since the exhaust cam and intake cams are different, I figure the solenoids run different operational profiles, so swapping them back and forth when cleaning them just allows each part to operate different profiles can possibly keeping them from "wearing in" into one operational profile. I have no proof it works other than I'm still on my original solenoids at 262,000 miles.

[bigdaddycane]

The solenoids are exactly the same and operate the same way.

I just changed out my original, cleaned solenoids this morning and have noticed a slight difference (positive) with idle and the hiccup I had at ~2500 rpm is gone. Just an FYI

[iljao]

Just a quick question - is there a chance that computer doesnt show any error, but your Solenoid has to be changed? I'm getting all the symptoms that its about time to chance/clean them, but the computer sais that all is good.

[bigdaddycane]

take them out an clean them before they leave you stranded (like what happened to me).

[Jeffrolite]

My car was throwing the 2A87 code on and off tune, and cold engine starts caused more than usual fluctuations of idle RPM. I replaced both intake and exhaust VANOS solenoids while I was in there. It took 2 hours from the time i opened the hood until I closed the hood. However, 1 hour of that time was spent fishing out the bolt that i dropped in the very tight work space. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF THE HASSLE AND PUT A TOWEL BENEATH THE SOLENOIDS TO CATCH DROPPED PARTS AND TOOLS. I ended up taping a magnet to a fishing pole to retrieve it. The car now starts, idles and runs great with the tune under all driving situations. Thank you for the excellent write up!

[djpro1]

It took me about 40 minutes to do this and I am a complete car noob when it comes to DIYs.

I saved myself a few hundred bucks buying the parts from FCP euro.

Car idles better and there is a noticeable difference. Also not getting those codes I used to get on the highway!

Just remember not to drop the bolt or you're really stuffed!

Thanks again!

[mrwehbe]

Hello dears,

Please i'm very desperate right now i love my bmw so much (325i e93) since 5 months ago i started getting the fault code 2A82 intake vanos. First of all i've tried cleaning the solenoid the error went off but after 20 min of driving it returns. I swapped the intake solenoid with the exhaust (logicaly the 2a87 error should pop up if the solenoid need a replace but sadly it didn't )
I'm still getting the 2a82 error . Today i replaced the intake soleniod with a new one i drove my car but sadly i still getting the error . My mechanic told maybe the new solenoid need adaptation ! But i don't think it will solve the problem , he told me if the problem persist he will change the vanos ! That's crazy my car has 100000 km in it and i've already spent 500$ without getting any concrete results.
i would appreciate any help
thank you

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by mrwehbe

Hello dears,

Please i'm very desperate right now i love my bmw so much (325i e93) since 5 months ago i started getting the fault code 2A82 intake vanos. First of all i've tried cleaning the solenoid the error went off but after 20 min of driving it returns. I swapped the intake solenoid with the exhaust (logicaly the 2a87 error should pop up if the solenoid need a replace but sadly it didn't )
I'm still getting the 2a82 error . Today i replaced the intake soleniod with a new one i drove my car but sadly i still getting the error . My mechanic told maybe the new solenoid need adaptation ! But i don't think it will solve the problem , he told me if the problem persist he will change the vanos ! That's crazy my car has 100000 km in it and i've already spent 500$ without getting any concrete results.
i would appreciate any help
thank you

Give it a couple of days for the light to go away. Hows the car running?

[mrwehbe]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Give it a couple of days for the light to go away. Hows the car running?

It's running like before(when I'm still having the error). When i accelerate and specialy when going up you can feel that it doesn't have full power. One day i was trying to overtake a small nissan when going up i couldn't do it for like 2 to 3 sec you can feel like you have a 318 instead of 325. My cousin have the 328i e93 us market (mine 325i e93 europe market) there is a slight difference in HSPwr btwn his engine and mine (10hsp) and his car
accelerate so much better.