[Some Asian Guy]

Originally Posted by Kaz26

I found a pair of Vaico VANOS Solenoids for $70 shipped. I will let you know how it goes.

Where? I need to replace mine too.

[Kaz26]

Craigslist

[Basedtiger]

I would buy them from your local auto parts store and price match it to a cheaper online price. I bought a vanos solenoid from Autozone one time and didn't have any issues. Worst case scenario return it the same day. You will know right away if it fixes your issue.

[Psyrick]

Just bought the cheapest pair from rockauto. 30 bucks each. Will let you know how it goes. I'll bench test their actuation with varying voltage and compare them to my still working, but poor performing stock solenoids. I'm quite curious about how much worse than faulty stocks they may be.

My stock ones gave me occasional very rough running engine with intake timing excessively retarded code being fired off. The problem also results in rough, stumbly idle and weakness in torque, especially at the low end. It happened to me a couple years ago and I fixed it with the cleaning, but lately it's come back. Cleaning the solenoids didn't help this time. I tested them with slowly rising voltage and found they have sticking points along the way and the inner sleeve doesn't thrust all the way to its travel limit when 14V is provided. I could push it the rest of the way with a jeweler's flat screwdriver, and sometimes it got stuck there before I cleaned and jiggled it free. Doing this extra work on the solenoid made it work correctly again for one trip before acting up again.

[Some Asian Guy]

I ended up purchasing a pair off of amazon for $70 shipped and they've been working with no issues. The brand was Autex. I haven't seen a half engine light in almost 4 months!

[Mandinca]

Originally Posted by Some Asian Guy

I ended up purchasing a pair off of amazon for $70 shipped and they've been working with no issues. The brand was Autex. I haven't seen a half engine light in almost 4 months!

Still no limp mode ?

[Some Asian Guy]

Originally Posted by Mandinca

Still no limp mode ?

Still working great. Haven't seen limp mode since I replaced them.

[Mandinca]

Originally Posted by Some Asian Guy

Still working great. Haven't seen limp mode since I replaced them.

Only one review on Amazon and that wasn't good - maybe I'm not looking at the right ones. Can you look in your Amazon account and see if there is a part number for the Autex parts, just want to make sure I get the right ones. Thanks.

[Some Asian Guy]

That review was me. Lol. I was irritated that one had arrive doa, so I wrote that. Once I got 2 working ones, I haven't had any problems. I'll probably wait a month then update the review at 6 months.

[AandSC]

I bought the cheap Amazon ones and got a code immediately after replacing. Bought OEMs and no issues since replacing. Some of the brands have a 25% complaint rate.

[Walletsr]

I bought the d*rman ones off Amazon two for $60. I only replaced one because one that came in package seemed broke. When I shook it, something moved more than the other and my oem one.

Put about 200 miles on no issues at this time. Been WOT multiple times and posted logs on mhd thread. Everything seems good so far.

I will be emailing amazon about the defective one.

[icegrill]

The vaico brand threw the same code for me a few miles after install. The Bmw solenoid has been solid for several hundred miles.

[yevg]

Originally Posted by MadeInPhilly

I bought 2 of the amazon ones from Auto Parts Prodigy. I haven't pushed the car to WOT yet. I recently had a vanos code (exhaust) with the half CEL light so that is the reason I went and replaced both.
https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Variab...vanos+solenoid

I did the install without having to take the engine cover off. I also don't have oil cooler ones so I had room. Don't drop the hex bolt!

Hey, I know this was a while ago, so I wonder how they are holding up?
I am having the same exact problem you described.

Anyone else feel free to chime in; how are your aftermarket ones holding up? Anyone try D*rman brand?

My problem happened only 3 times and on exceptionally humid days (not sure if that has to do with it, but the only common factor between the 3 instances).

thanks.

edit:

Originally Posted by Walletsr

D*rman

how are the D*rman ones holding up?

[yevg]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Cleaned mine and it worked for a while then the code came back. Bought some Dorman's from RockAuto as recommended by another user in another thread and no problems so far after 3 or so months. Quality looked on par with OEM.

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

Been running a Dorman ($70) for about 2 years and no issues.

How are they holding up now? Looking to replace mine with same.
thanks.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by yevg

How are they holding up now? Looking to replace mine with same.
thanks.

I changed at 131k and I'm now at 173k with no issues since replacement.

[GEOS07335i]

I'd check your oil level while your at it. I had low oil through vanos codes topped it off codes went away. Got my vanos on rockauto.com not sure if they ship internationally but one of the cheapest auto part on line retailer in the US

[drubular]

+1 for Dorman brand VANOS. I Installed them 20k+ miles ago with no issues while using JB4 and now MHD Stage 2+FMIC. Also Dorman come with a lifetime warranty.

[ddrew516]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I was having vanos codes and tried cleaning them and did not make any difference, I topped my oil wich was around half mark on electronic gauge and never had any vanos code again...

Do you remember the vanos code you were getting when you topped off your oil?