DIY: Another Vanos Oil Line Leak Or Something Else?

[SMGM3]

Pic1: Lots of oil build up around the entire area but maybe someone can tell if this is the standard look for a leak from the vanos line or from elsewhere?



Pic 2:
What part is this and is it a possible culprit or just an innocent victim of all the oil build up?

[Cubieman]

That part is your timing chain tensioner which can leak although it's appears yours leak is above that possibly. I would clean that area up the best you can and check the following:

- Valve Cover gasket
- Vanos solenoid seal plate
- Vanos gasket
- Vanos "caps"
- Vanos line

[SMGM3]

That part is your timing chain tensioner which can leak although it's appears yours leak is above that possibly. I would clean that area up the best you can and check the following:

- Valve Cover gasket
- Vanos solenoid seal plate
- Vanos gasket
- Vanos "caps"
- Vanos line

Good advice and will take that approach for diagnosis. Thank you for identifying the timing chain tensioner and agree it looks like it's coming from above and blowing away from it toward the driver side which is on the right in the top picture.

[Arith2]

There a leak spray that is basically spray on chalk. It helps us at Porsche quite a bit considering every single Cayenne and Macan leaks. We spray a few can of Brakleen and spray on the chalk. Usually in a week or two, it gives a good trail up to the culprit. Finding a leak in all that dirt is nearly impossible.

[SMGM3]

There a leak spray that is basically spray on chalk. It helps us at Porsche quite a bit considering every single Cayenne and Macan leaks. We spray a few can of Brakleen and spray on the chalk. Usually in a week or two, it gives a good trail up to the culprit. Finding a leak in all that dirt is nearly impossible.

Thank you. Appreciate the diagnostic sleuthing tools recommendation.

[eacmen]

When i had oil on the tensioner like that it was leaking from the bottom left vanos mounting bolt. Had to put a little RTV on the bottom left corner of the VANOS->head gasket.

[SMGM3]

Ok, now that I cleaned some of the area from the oil, what is this pipe that is above the power steering pump and below the housing for the thermostat? It is also beneath the Vanos Solenoid so it's really tough to see it without a mirror.

[heinzboehmer]

That's a coolant pipe. I suggest you remove the driver's side fan shroud and the VANOS solenoid. That will give you a lot more access to clean. Then with everything clean, diagnosis should be much easier.

The Beisan solenoid procedure has instructions on how to remove and reinstall: http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm

There's only five bolts that hold it on, but be ready for some oil to spill when you remove it.

[SMGM3]

That's a coolant pipe. I suggest you remove the driver's side fan shroud and the VANOS solenoid. That will give you a lot more access to clean. Then with everything clean, diagnosis should be much easier.

The Beisan solenoid procedure has instructions on how to remove and reinstall: http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm

There's only five bolts that hold it on, but be ready for some oil to spill when you remove it.

That's exactly what that is. Total brain fart not to follow it to the expansion tank hose. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

RealOEM.com - Part Search

Ok that is not the source of any oil leak. Still looking for the culprit.

[SMGM3]

I was a moron and just sheered the Vanos Pressure Valve/Regulator by tightening the inner bolt using an allen. 1. What the heck are the consequences? 2. Do I need to untighten the exact number of revolutions that I tightened? I was trying to ensure it wasn't leaking.

[heinzboehmer]

Definitely don't start your car now. That inner bolt is how the pressure is set for the VANOS. You'll have to unwind it back to roughly where it was before and then —with an appropriate VANOS pressure gauge— set the pressure to 115 bar. You could also just buy a new part, they come preset to the correct pressure.

[Slideways]

Not supposed to adjust that. The leak is probably coming from the VANOS sealing gasket as it looks like it is dripping down and to the back toward the chain tensioner. Also, your serpentine belt is cracking and probably needs to be replaced.

[Cubieman]

I would buy a new regulator and o-ring if it doesn't already come with one. The pressure gauge/fitting I bought of ebay from the UK took months to come. Contact Raj at Beisan, he sent me a gauge to help troubleshoot a vanos issue I had and told me he had planned on selling them soon, so maybe you could get one comming in days not months.
Good luck.

[SMGM3]

Definitely don't start your car now. That inner bolt is how the pressure is set for the VANOS. You'll have to unwind it back to roughly where it was before and then —with an appropriate VANOS pressure gauge— set the pressure to 115 bar. You could also just buy a new part, they come preset to the correct pressure.

You guys are awesome, thank you! Learned another lesson today.

[SMGM3]

Not supposed to adjust that. The leak is probably coming from the VANOS sealing gasket as it looks like it is dripping down and to the back toward the chain tensioner. Also, your serpentine belt is cracking and probably needs to be replaced.

Thank you for mentioning that. Yes, belt has been replaced.