[phil200tdi]

My car has been shuddering and running rough for a few months now as many of you will know. Until recently there have been no codes raised. Last week I finally got a code: 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults.

Bought 2 new VANOS Solenoids and replaced both yesterday morning (at a cost of £135). Unfortunately this has not fixed the issue. Although the car did feel better, it is still shuddering at WOT

Looking at these codes it could also be the Camshaft Bearing Ledge is grooved. Has anyone had this problem in the UK?? It sounds like it will be reassuringly expensive

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10385

It sounds like a pretty common problem:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+bearing+ledge

Here is the part we are talking about:

[phil200tdi]

Wrong section!

[doughboy]

Phil,

I reckon you should give Birds a call, see what they think. They're not far from you and will give you an honest answer.

[dxb335d]

I don't remember reading anywhere that your car has had a problem for months.

If a part has sheared off the camshaft I think it should have been fixed right away?!

What part number on the picture dude

[phil200tdi]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Phil,

I reckon you should give Birds a call, see what they think. They're not far from you and will give you an honest answer.

Will do tomorrow.

thanks

[phil200tdi]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I don't remember reading anywhere that your car has had a problem for months.

If a part has sheared off the camshaft I think it should have been fixed right away?!

What part number on the picture dude

Part number 6 is the exhaust camshaft bearing ledge.

This all stems from my trip to santa pod where I was getting shuddering when going Wide open throttle. Unfortunately since then I had no fault codes raised. On Thursday I got a 2A87 Vanos fault code so I replaced the solenoids - it didnt fix the problem... If I continue to get this code (not driven the car much yet) then the next step is to replace the camshaft bearing ledge. Parts seem suprisingly cheap (£35!), but the labout to get to it will be fairly involved. Whilst the head is off I may as well get it decoked etc --- and so the bill keeps going up. I've got £500 of hubs, brake disks, pads and brake lines sat in the garage waiting to go on.

She's on 84,000 now, Do I want to keep her beyond 90,000 miles? If not I'll be getting rid at the end of the year. So should I drop £2k in now for little return?

I'll get some quotes and decide what to do. If its way over a grand, I'm tempted to just remove the mods and trade her in on a Z4/330d coupe/370z and sell/return the bits I've got.

[dxb335d]

Where is the cams in that pic? Looks like two covers that bolt together?

I couldn't sell a car with a severe problem like that. Is there a risk it could break off completely lunch a cam?

[phil200tdi]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Where is the cams in that pic? Looks like two covers that bolt together?

I couldn't sell a car with a severe problem like that. Is there a risk it could break off completely lunch a cam?

Apparently the cam sits inside the bearing ledge (Im no expert).. Im not sure of the potential to munch the rest of the engine. I think oil starvation is the most likely problem..

I have no problem with trading it in, the dealer will dispose of it via auction or to a trader who will offer a warranty. Its why PX values are always a piss take. I would never sell it privately as is.

[dxb335d]

Fair enough mate, seems a sad way to end such a great love affair,

[B005T3D-G]

I call Dibs on the DP's and FMIC

How much labor are we talking here? I'm no expert but it doesn't look like you would have to remove the head. Looks like a few hours work for a competent specialist to me.

[phil200tdi]

Yep.

Just the cylinder head cover by the look of it. $1500-$2500 seems too much to me for this... the parts are only £35 each!

I'll ask BMW, Birds and a local BMW specialist tomorrow for their thoughts.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

Apparently the cam sits inside the bearing ledge (Im no expert).. Im not sure of the potential to munch the rest of the engine. I think oil starvation is the most likely problem..

I have no problem with trading it in, the dealer will dispose of it via auction or to a trader who will offer a warranty. Its why PX values are always a piss take. I would never sell it privately as is.

Get rid. You have been through all the same things I have now.
Any I did exactly what you are contemplating. I had these codes too after a track day.

Throwing good money after bad is senseless on a fairly common car.

[phil200tdi]

[u2b]http://youtu.be/Hnz4utkonMo[/u2b]

[phil200tdi]

Car now fixed!

The issue was caused by excessive carbon buildup on the intake valves. This reduced the amount of air getting into the cylinder by more than 50% at WOT!!! Hence misfires, shuddering, hesitation, rough idle and poor fuel economy. the car now feels much stronger than ever before, I've yet to give it a proper beating due to the weather, but with meth flowing it is quite silly!

All diagnosis and work carried out by Jason at Birds! My wallet is still reeling, but at least it's fixed!!

[Kerr]

Good to hear it is fixed.

[dxb335d]

Nice one Phil mate, how much was the damage £ ?

[phil200tdi]

Not quite a grand.

Still got brake discs, pads, braided lines and fluid to get done.

Also gonna buy an oil catch can, plus forge diverter valves soon!

[dopper99]

Still cheaper than part ex'ing your car and buying another. Just swallow it and move on. Good you got it fixed though.

[dxb335d]

Who did the work mate?

How many miles on her?

[phil200tdi]

Not fixed and really pissed off!!

[Dr Dave]

So it's still doing it?? Not good Phil

Can't really see it being the cam carrier (why are they calling it a "ledge" ffs???)

[dxb335d]

???