E46 M3 S54 Vanos pressure tests

[Santino]

Not normal. I believe it dropped (as the DME changing the VANOS timing when rpm changing) because there is no accumulator pressure reserve in the old tank with empty N2 gas. Need a new ACC bottle.

Finally i have replaced a new ACC bottle for the vanos, it still dips pressure whem hiting the gas, but never drops below 100bar (i have operating pressure at 115bar now)
But the leek down is now great, previuos it took a minute to reach 0, now it drops to 60bar after turning off, and keeps this pressure for 2 hour now as i write this.
Figured it could be helpfull for the comunity

[Arinb12]

Results from my Vanos tests carried out recently, (UK custom guage kit off EBay).
Its somewhat more thorough than the one I'd posted out back in 2016, where I had faults causing v low vanos oil pressure and Ive defined some simple benchmarks, this so that with others data, we could look at establishing indicators that can help us determine whether our systems are at full health.
Am keen to get your feedback (and data points) to work this one further up, please comment.

Could you tell me how you attached this. I got the parts you linked to. Do I just replace the bolt, retain the washers and use some PTFE on the guage threads?

[Santino]

If the gauge was connected to the oil filter lid then the reading may not be the same as where the stock oil sensor. Interesting to see the measured pressure at the sensor on the oil filter housing.

it was connected to the blank oil supply, next to the oe pressure sensor

[sapote]

regarding the oil pressure i found info that it should peak at 4 bar so it apears that mine is showing 1bar higher pressure on idle ore on revs

If the gauge was connected to the oil filter lid then the reading may not be the same as where the stock oil sensor. Interesting to see the measured pressure at the sensor on the oil filter housing.

[Santino]

I think you are confused, you are measuring OIL pressure at the engine, the VANOS shall have 100bar at all times, idle, load, etc. Where did you attach the gauge, I assume you did it at the oil filter housing.

That said, you have pretty healthy pressure, the pressure at idle should be 1bar, you have a bit more but I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

To measure VANOS pressure, you plug the indicator at the VANOS oil line that goes to the accumulator, and you need a different gauge, the one you have will blow out as VANOS pressure is 1400+ psi.

BTW, I don't think VANOS would affect engine oil pressure at all as it has a feed valve that I think is max 1 bar (cannot find the source where I read this, but makes sense since the VANOS makes full pressure at idle, so it shall be at least 1bar at the infeed valve at all times)

Yes i have done the vanos oil pressure test, its in on the previous page, but i was geting pressure dips when reving and Sapote recomended to make a oil pressure test to check if the presure dipps also apear in the oil system ore ist it only the fault of the vanos accumulator
regarding the oil pressure i found info that it should peak at 4 bar so it apears that mine is showing 1bar higher pressure on idle ore on revs

[maupineda]

I think you are confused, you are measuring OIL pressure at the engine, the VANOS shall have 100bar at all times, idle, load, etc. Where did you attach the gauge, I assume you did it at the oil filter housing.

That said, you have pretty healthy pressure, the pressure at idle should be 1bar, you have a bit more but I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

To measure VANOS pressure, you plug the indicator at the VANOS oil line that goes to the accumulator, and you need a different gauge, the one you have will blow out as VANOS pressure is 1400+ psi.

BTW, I don't think VANOS would affect engine oil pressure at all as it has a feed valve that I think is max 1 bar (cannot find the source where I read this, but makes sense since the VANOS makes full pressure at idle, so it shall be at least 1bar at the infeed valve at all times)

[Santino]

As rpm increasing, pump output is increased too, and so even with some oil being used by the vanos pistons movement, I think with a normal working ACC the system pressure should not drop that much as shown on post #32. Look at post #1 video.

Finaly my vanos electrovalves came back from cold solder fix, so i have tested the oil pressure as You mentioned
So on startup it mesured 4bar, and slowly when getting hotter it droped to 2 bar on idle, but as soon as i touch the gas it bumps to 5 bar, and blips ups when reving
i should mention i have changed the oil pump piston using the burkhart engenerig unit, as mine was worn at 100k miles when ive chenged to rod bearings.
also im waiting till the end of the month for the ordered vanos pressure acumulator, as they are out in all EU

[jet_dogg]

Even IG and e-mail life. I could never get him to help out. He would randomly reply, I’d be ready to purchase once confirming what he thought was the issue.

Good luck.


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I've not purchased from several people who refuse to provide adequate service. It's not hard replying to emails and the sporadic responses are even worse with the avoidance of question answering topping my list.

Very few people actually know how to run a business and provide some semblance of customer service which is a lost art especially these days.

[stash1]

Even IG and e-mail life. I could never get him to help out. He would randomly reply, I’d be ready to purchase once confirming what he thought was the issue.

Good luck.


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Dunno, I've heard from ppl that he can be a little difficult to get a hold of sometimes...but I know that he travels a fair amount for work and that it takes him to some remote locations.

[LatinSkllz]

He’s around, but pretty sure he gave up on forum life.

Even IG and e-mail life. I could never get him to help out. He would randomly reply, I’d be ready to purchase once confirming what he thought was the issue.

Good luck.


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[stash1]

Is Mike from Natturally Agitated performance still around?

He’s around, but pretty sure he gave up on forum life.

[Mpwr922]

Is Mike from Natturally Agitated performance still around?

[sapote]

a slight drop is expected as oil pressure is used to displace the spline gears in and out, it would be nice to collect data from various cars understanding the different states of them. i.e. old accumulator vs new logging the pressure drop after engine shut off.

As rpm increasing, pump output is increased too, and so even with some oil being used by the vanos pistons movement, I think with a normal working ACC the system pressure should not drop that much as shown on post #32. Look at post #1 video.

[maupineda]

In the meantime, just to be sure a bad ACC is to blame, you can hook up an external oil pressure gauge to the engine oil sensor and check engine oil if it drops when rev up as shown in previous video, for whatever the reasons. It should not drop.

a slight drop is expected as oil pressure is used to displace the spline gears in and out, it would be nice to collect data from various cars understanding the different states of them. i.e. old accumulator vs new logging the pressure drop after engine shut off.

[sapote]

will get one on order, but will take some time as im taking out some parts to get polished. but any way will come back with a video of a fresh unit instaled so we can compare it

In the meantime, just to be sure a bad ACC is to blame, you can hook up an external oil pressure gauge to the engine oil sensor and check engine oil if it drops when rev up as shown in previous video, for whatever the reasons. It should not drop.