Vanos Solenoid Question... To clean or too replace? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Greatdane84 · 03-07-2013, 09:35 AM

So I know I need to either Clean or Replace the solenoid(s). I have 3 things I've been wanting to do to my car. New headlight bulbs 7500k+, black wheels (powder coat or paint) & FMIC. Buying new solenoids will cost me a little over $200 and I'd love to put that $ into these other items...

Anyone have experience with cleaning and still throwing the codes within a few months afterwards?

I really don't want to replace just because I've already removed them. Let me know. Feedback appreciated

Error Codes: P2A87

Royce_335i · 03-07-2013, 06:11 PM

What error codes are you getting? Why not clean them out with high presure air. If the problem persits then replace.

danniexi · 03-07-2013, 06:25 PM

Replace. Cleaning them won't do much good as they will eventually go bad anyway.

It only takes 30 minutes to replace so having new ones will be easier without the headache of troubleshooting.

blacknbean · 03-07-2013, 06:59 PM

took my car in with vanos codes and the dealer just swapped and cleaned them. i wouldve preferred them to be replaced since its under warranty, but no codes since theyve been cleaned which was about 2mo ago.

Greatdane84 · 03-07-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danniexi

Replace. Cleaning them won't do much good as they will eventually go bad anyway.

It only takes 30 minutes to replace so having new ones will be easier without the headache of troubleshooting.

Dannie have you had yours go bad an had no luck cleaning?

Hierlevelz · 03-07-2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacknbean

took my car in with vanos codes and the dealer just swapped and cleaned them. i wouldve preferred them to be replaced since its under warranty, but no codes since theyve been cleaned which was about 2mo ago.

Bently manual suggest cleaning and swapping locations before replacing them.

Greatdane84 · 03-07-2013, 11:36 PM

Good suggestion on swapping since its same part #

Indo Rider · 03-08-2013, 01:33 AM

I cleaned and swapped, it didn't help at all. I replaced and haven't had a vanos code since (~15K miles).

NoQuarter · 03-08-2013, 09:50 AM

Cleaned and swapped which gave me a lot more use out of them.

I did eventually have to replace them but it took several months.

danniexi · 03-08-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greatdane84

Dannie have you had yours go bad an had no luck cleaning?

Yes. Cleaned them. Got the codes again. Replaced them a few years back, haven't had an issue since.

Greatdane84 · 03-08-2013, 04:25 PM

Sounds like a "short" term temporary fix. Might as well replace...

03-07-2013, 09:35 AM	#1
Greatdane84 Private First Class Drives: 335i e90 LCI Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SW Florida Posts: 180 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 335i [5.00]	So I know I need to either Clean or Replace the solenoid(s). I have 3 things I've been wanting to do to my car. New headlight bulbs 7500k+, black wheels (powder coat or paint) & FMIC. Buying new solenoids will cost me a little over $200 and I'd love to put that $ into these other items... Anyone have experience with cleaning and still throwing the codes within a few months afterwards? I really don't want to replace just because I've already removed them. Let me know. Feedback appreciated Error Codes: P2A87 __________________ [font="Comic Sans MS"]e90 LCI Cobb: Stg1 +FMIC Aggressive ST VRSF 7" FMIC - Next To Do: White Rings "If you're not 1st, you're last" -Ricky Bobby Last edited by Greatdane84; 03-07-2013 at 09:37 AM. Reason: fix link
	Tweet

03-07-2013, 06:25 PM	#3
danniexi Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 AW E92 335xi Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,896 iTrader: (13)	Replace. Cleaning them won't do much good as they will eventually go bad anyway. It only takes 30 minutes to replace so having new ones will be easier without the headache of troubleshooting. __________________ stock-ish. \| GRUPPE TITAN North

03-07-2013, 11:36 PM	#7
Greatdane84 Private First Class Drives: 335i e90 LCI Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SW Florida Posts: 180 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 335i [5.00]	Good suggestion on swapping since its same part # __________________ [font="Comic Sans MS"]e90 LCI Cobb: Stg1 +FMIC Aggressive ST VRSF 7" FMIC - Next To Do: White Rings "If you're not 1st, you're last" -Ricky Bobby

03-08-2013, 01:33 AM	#8
Indo Rider Private Drives: 135 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States Posts: 91 iTrader: (0)	I cleaned and swapped, it didn't help at all. I replaced and haven't had a vanos code since (~15K miles). Last edited by Indo Rider; 03-08-2013 at 01:33 AM. Reason: typed 15000K miles, lol

03-08-2013, 09:50 AM	#9
NoQuarter Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 530xi / 2008 535xi Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 222 iTrader: (0)	Cleaned and swapped which gave me a lot more use out of them. I did eventually have to replace them but it took several months. __________________ 2008 535xi: Mods Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, CIC iDrive Controller, Passport 9500ci, HD Radio Retrofit, Shock Sensor Alarm, Sport Automatic Retrofit , M5 Pull Rods, M5 Rear Sway Bar, Ultra Racing Front/Rear Lower Bars and Upper Strut Bar, PROcede with PWM Meth, Fire Extinguisher, Active Backrest Retrofit

03-07-2013, 06:11 PM	#2
Royce_335i Registered Drives: BMW 335i 2007 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: UK Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	What error codes are you getting? Why not clean them out with high presure air. If the problem persits then replace.

03-07-2013, 06:59 PM	#4
blacknbean Captain Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SF Posts: 916 iTrader: (2)	took my car in with vanos codes and the dealer just swapped and cleaned them. i wouldve preferred them to be replaced since its under warranty, but no codes since theyve been cleaned which was about 2mo ago.

03-08-2013, 04:25 PM	#11
Greatdane84 Private First Class Drives: 335i e90 LCI Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SW Florida Posts: 180 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 335i [5.00]	Sounds like a "short" term temporary fix. Might as well replace... __________________ [font="Comic Sans MS"]e90 LCI Cobb: Stg1 +FMIC Aggressive ST VRSF 7" FMIC - Next To Do: White Rings "If you're not 1st, you're last" -Ricky Bobby

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search