[mzafar]

Car: 2008 335i n54 Engine
Mods: BMS DCI
Milage: 130k miles (200k km)

Around December,2019 I had a rough idle and the car would randomly throw 2AA2 (Inlet side - gap loss) codes. I took out the VANOS solenoids and cleaned them with brake cleaner. At that point I didn't think ahead to swap the inlet and outlet

The car started running much better without any codes.
Last week (May, 2020) i started having rough idle again and the car threw the same code.

So I'm guessing it's my VANOS Solenoids. Did a lot of research into Aftermarket (Gates / Dorman) vs OEM VANOS solenoids and can't make up my mind.

OEM: $330 for 2
Dorman / Gates: $130 for 2

I'm trying to fix the issue but still try to save money.

Does anyone have insight or experience with these Aftermarket VANOS solenoids?

P.S. My battery was also bad so I swapped that out today and re-coded. I know some people say bad batteries can cause issues too but I don't think that's the case here.

Thank you so much in advance.

[Sgop335]

Check if autozone duralast is available. They are made in germany w lifetime warranty. Works well.

[mzafar]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Check if autozone duralast is available. They are made in germany w lifetime warranty. Works well.

I always had a low opinion (unsubstantiated though) of Duralast for some reason. But I went over Duralast and they are manufactured by Wells in North America though.
Maybe that specific part is made in Germany?

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by mzafar

Car: 2008 335i n54 Engine
Mods: BMS DCI
Milage: 130k miles (200k km)

Around December,2019 I had a rough idle and the car would randomly throw 2AA2 (Inlet side - gap loss) codes. I took out the VANOS solenoids and cleaned them with brake cleaner. At that point I didn't think ahead to swap the inlet and outlet

The car started running much better without any codes.
Last week (May, 2020) i started having rough idle again and the car threw the same code.

So I'm guessing it's my VANOS Solenoids. Did a lot of research into Aftermarket (Gates / Dorman) vs OEM VANOS solenoids and can't make up my mind.

OEM: $330 for 2
Dorman / Gates: $130 for 2

I'm trying to fix the issue but still try to save money.

Does anyone have insight or experience with these Aftermarket VANOS solenoids?

P.S. My battery was also bad so I swapped that out today and re-coded. I know some people say bad batteries can cause issues too but I don't think that's the case here.

Thank you so much in advance.

2AA2 is camshaft sensor inlet fault, are you sure it's the solenoids at fault and not the camshaft sensor?

[mzafar]

Originally Posted by Saif2018

2AA2 is camshaft sensor inlet fault, are you sure it's the solenoids at fault and not the camshaft sensor?

My camshaft sensor was replaced about 2 years (60k miles ago).
Symptoms then were my car would turn off at red lights while idling (Engine at operating temp).

Reason why I'm thinking solenoids because cleaning them did help.
Gaah. Great point though.

I think I'll swap the 2x VANOS solenoids next weekend to know for sure if it's the solenoids or the camshaft sensor.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by mzafar

I always had a low opinion (unsubstantiated though) of Duralast for some reason. But I went over Duralast and they are manufactured by Wells in North America though.
Maybe that specific part is made in Germany?

Fwiw. In fact the part has a bmw logo on it

[mzafar]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Fwiw. In fact the part has a bmw logo on it

Went to an AutoZone today. He pulled out the duralast vanos solenoid ($100ish dollars).
Made in China with no BMW or any PN on it. Checked all sides.

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by mzafar

Car: 2008 335i n54 Engine
Mods: BMS DCI
Milage: 130k miles (200k km)

Around December,2019 I had a rough idle and the car would randomly throw 2AA2 (Inlet side - gap loss) codes. I took out the VANOS solenoids and cleaned them with brake cleaner. At that point I didn't think ahead to swap the inlet and outlet

The car started running much better without any codes.
Last week (May, 2020) i started having rough idle again and the car threw the same code.

So I'm guessing it's my VANOS Solenoids. Did a lot of research into Aftermarket (Gates / Dorman) vs OEM VANOS solenoids and can't make up my mind.

OEM: $330 for 2
Dorman / Gates: $130 for 2

I'm trying to fix the issue but still try to save money.

Does anyone have insight or experience with these Aftermarket VANOS solenoids?

P.S. My battery was also bad so I swapped that out today and re-coded. I know some people say bad batteries can cause issues too but I don't think that's the case here.

Thank you so much in advance.

I replaced mine with the Dorman solenoids awhile back and they are fine. I got them from ECS but they are about $16 cheaper per solenoid on Amazon.

[Ilma]

Originally Posted by Rule1977

I replaced mine with the Dorman solenoids awhile back and they are fine. I got them from ECS but they are about $16 cheaper per solenoid on Amazon.

I also replaced both my vanos solenoids with Dorman and they are running fine Build quality looked OEM as well.

I was skeptical about them initially but I am happy with them.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by mzafar

My camshaft sensor was replaced about 2 years (60k miles ago).
Symptoms then were my car would turn off at red lights while idling (Engine at operating temp).

Reason why I'm thinking solenoids because cleaning them did help.
Gaah. Great point though.

I think I'll swap the 2x VANOS solenoids next weekend to know for sure if it's the solenoids or the camshaft sensor.

From what I understand cleaning Solenoids is a temporary fix.

No worries, hope everything works out after replacing Solenoids.