Tell of vanos has been replaced?

[Mainman857]

Is there a way to tell if your vanos has been replaced when you pull the valve cover? Diffrent bolts, color, stickers, markings?

Thanks.

2006 M3 Comp package

[Inizes]

You can look at the oil pump disk for a “BS” and that will tell you it’s a Beisan part. Outside of that, there isn’t much of a tell if it was replaced for OEM that I am aware of.

Older iterations of the Beisan oil pump disk also had 4 holes (2 OEM, 2 redrilled). Current iteration only has 2, but all versions have a BS etched into the face of the disk.

[eacmen]

1. Look at timing chain guide. Was it replaced with Beisan part?
2. Look at oil pump disc as suggested above.
3. Some rebuilt solenoids will have a sticker out there will be some black silicone sealant where it was opened.
4. Look at the cam bolts. If they are torx then they were updated.

Some of these you may need a borescope without removing vanos.

[Mainman857]

Ty. Doing valves soon and gonna check that out when the cover is off. Unsure if done. But dosent make any sounds and has good torque so guessing done or will be on the way out soonish. 129k miles

[mrgizmo04]

4. Look at the cam bolts. If they are torx then they were updated.

Some of these you may need a borescope without removing vanos.

With just the valve cover off, cam bolts can not be seen, not until much further stages of vanos disassembly of pulling the hubs themselves.

[mrgizmo04]

Ty. Doing valves soon and gonna check that out when the cover is off. Unsure if done. But dosent make any sounds and has good torque so guessing done or will be on the way out soonish. 129k miles

If unsure, assume no, although you might be pleasantly surprised, who knows. Normally should be part of the first few questions to the seller with receipts to back it up. No sound and good torque don't mean much, it can still go at any point.