[mikolo-n54]

I have a friend who had his vanos shear off and create havoc in his n55. The whole head im pretty sure ended up being replaced as well. He has jb4+downpipe setup. Car had somewhere between 20k-30k miles..

[Jdub679]

~41k on the odometer. Tuned since ~5k miles. Run up to 40% E85 once every few tanks.

No significant issues. Only parts that were replaced was a leaky coolant reservoir and a rattling rear tray (x2).

Car runs so good I just refinanced my lease into a purchase.

[jjurroz]

Originally Posted by hetzle

Turned out my whole Vanos unit needs to be torn down/fixed. Symptoms were extremely intermittent CEL's/misfires/stalls over the better part of the year. The car would just sputter upon restarting it (fire forever without cranking), but would start fine on the second attempt. Eventually became a horrible idle/permanent limp mode. Terry says this is a fairly common issue on N55's, so be warned

Code was 2DCE

I just got this code this afternoon. Do you know which parts need to be replaced? Would you still happen to have the work order by any chance?

[rr006rbc]

The VANOS bolts shearing off happens to N55s that aren't even driven hard or modified. I've seen them on X5 3.5s and 335s that are driven by ultra conservative people and require the entire oil pan to be removed to find the broken bolts, total of 4 of them if they've all managed to snap. Techs must find every single broken component before reassembling the engine with parts that were damaged by the parts getting spun around the engine i.e. timing chain rails

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

The VANOS bolts shearing off happens to N55s that aren't even driven hard or modified. I've seen them on X5 3.5s and 335s that are driven by ultra conservative people and require the entire oil pan to be removed to find the broken bolts, total of 4 of them if they've all managed to snap. Techs must find every single broken component before reassembling the engine with parts that were damaged by the parts getting spun around the engine i.e. timing chain rails

Great so now we got this to look forward to. I'm starting to hate these cars, makes me almost (almost ) wish I got another 328. How does BMW handle this? I pray this does not happen to anyone out of warranty.

[birry335]

Originally Posted by Revision2

Hey everyone. I was wondering what everyone's experience has been so far with the N55s since most of you have put in a good couple of years now into the car. I'm seriously contemplating a move to a 2011 335 specifically for the N55 as it gives me power and hopefully relatively good reliability. The way I see it, it isn't really power if every time I go to use it I have to pray that it won't go limp on me (applies to other areas of life as well I know. ). Based on some searching it seems like it is much more reliable than the N54s which were somewhat hit or miss.

Any input would be appreciated.

I have 37k miles on mine. Prior to any mods, my pressure converter failed (around 18k miles). There was a recall out for it, so it was fixed in a hurry. It was easy to notice. I received the reduced power light (engine half shaded yellow), and a huge reduction in power. Slower than a 328... I've had an intake, DP, and JB4 stage 2 since about 20k miles with zero issues.

[jjurroz]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

The VANOS bolts shearing off happens to N55s that aren't even driven hard or modified. I've seen them on X5 3.5s and 335s that are driven by ultra conservative people and require the entire oil pan to be removed to find the broken bolts, total of 4 of them if they've all managed to snap. Techs must find every single broken component before reassembling the engine with parts that were damaged by the parts getting spun around the engine i.e. timing chain rails

is there a TSB for the vanos failure? I think in my case, it's just stuck, not necessarily sheared off. At least that's what I hope. Need to remove mods before taking it to the dealer.

I was interested in knowing which parts need to be fixed so I can determine if its just easier for me to do the repairs.

[Benstuck]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

The VANOS bolts shearing off happens to N55s that aren't even driven hard or modified. I've seen them on X5 3.5s and 335s that are driven by ultra conservative people and require the entire oil pan to be removed to find the broken bolts, total of 4 of them if they've all managed to snap. Techs must find every single broken component before reassembling the engine with parts that were damaged by the parts getting spun around the engine i.e. timing chain rails

So I am totally justified and pushing the engine to redline once warmed up properly? That what I've been doing and it pulls so good!

[wheen]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

The VANOS bolts shearing off happens to N55s that aren't even driven hard or modified. I've seen them on X5 3.5s and 335s that are driven by ultra conservative people and require the entire oil pan to be removed to find the broken bolts, total of 4 of them if they've all managed to snap. Techs must find every single broken component before reassembling the engine with parts that were damaged by the parts getting spun around the engine i.e. timing chain rails

What is the rationale for this, that chances are higher for conservative drivers?

Edit: whoops can't read. I understand it ALSO happens to conservative drivers, not more likely to them.

[jjurroz]

yesterday I took out the solenoids in hopes that cleaning them would fix my problem as others have done. The cleaning didn't help.

Looks like the actuator is really the problem.

Taking the car to the dealer on sat.

My car has 69k miles.

[hetzle]

Originally Posted by jjurroz

I just got this code this afternoon. Do you know which parts need to be replaced? Would you still happen to have the work order by any chance?

Unfortunately I don't have the work order any more, sorry =/

[hetzle]

Got my car back from the dealer today, my HPFP was somehow blowing Fuse 37 which in turn was preventing the DME from seeing boost values. They also found debris in my throttle body which was causing it to stick. I thought the fuel pump was having issues since my car would misfire badly on aftermarket maps only at WOT (partial throttle fine) but I had no idea it was causing a short, I find that pretty weird considering I've never touched it.

[jjurroz]

so I decided to swap my FOB since my usual one has been giving tons of problems. I cleared all codes and inserted the new key. Drove around.

Weird thing is:

I'm no longer getting the limp or vanos code. Car is driving like a champ and I cannot reproduce the problem. Before I could reproduce the problem, literally, within 30 secs of turning on the car. Also the little "stuck" noise that you hear when you first unlock the car is gone. I've put over 100 miles now since the new key and the problem hasn't come back.

How weird is that? Is this even possible?

and, No, I haven't tried using the old key yet since I don't want to jinx myself, haha.

Has anyone experienced anything like this?


-Jose

[CantCatchMe]

Well lucky me I got the same code as some on here. I installed my LPFP yesterday and fuel pump warning popped up. Today 2DCE popped up. I'm going to remove my Cobb and possibly the DP to allow warranty work to be done. A fun past two days haha.

[AJ9x]

Originally Posted by CantCatchMe

Well lucky me I got the same code as some on here. I installed my LPFP yesterday and fuel pump warning popped up. Today 2DCE popped up. I'm going to remove my Cobb and possibly the DP to allow warranty work to be done. A fun past two days haha.

Well, you certainly necro'd this thread.

[CantCatchMe]

No problem.

[924er]

I don't have an n55 but my n54 has 44k miles FBO tuned since 19k

Replaced:
Plugs
Injectors
HPFP

Since then, 0 problems and smoking n55s on the daily

[wgknestrick]

Originally Posted by 924er

I don't have an n55 but, I'm a troll that can't post in the right section

Then this thread isn't for you.

[CantCatchMe]

Originally Posted by 924er

I don't have an n55 but my n54 has 44k miles FBO tuned since 19k

Replaced:
Plugs
Injectors
HPFP

Since then, 0 problems and smoking n55s on the daily

I would hope so if you guys put down 415whp lol

[924er]

Originally Posted by wgknestrick

Then this thread isn't for you.

You mad?

[Unklejoe]

97k miles. The last 20k have been protuned on a Cobb. FMIC, CP

Zero problems (besides VANOS recall).

Original spark plugs.

Coolant reservoir seems to have a slight leak. I have to top it off with coolant once a month. Ordered new reservoir for $99

[Newguy123]

Originally Posted by 924er

You mad?

and im smoking N54s in my N55 on the daily! doesnt mean i go into a n54 thread and run my mouth about my slow car