E46 M3 S54 Vanos pressure tests

[Santino]

SMG pump has higher output rate than VANOS pump, and so with the ACC working the pump shut off after filled up the ACC. VANOS pump has much smaller output rate and it needs the ACC to supply the pressure during timing change as pump output is not enough for the pistons movement.

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

[sapote]

but in my understanding the vanos pump is running constantly, unlike the smg pump witch also used the pressure acumulator

SMG pump has higher output rate than VANOS pump, and so with the ACC working the pump shut off after filled up the ACC. VANOS pump has much smaller output rate and it needs the ACC to supply the pressure during timing change as pump output is not enough for the pistons movement.

[Santino]

what do you mean "upped the pressure"? You adjusted the pressure regulator -- to how high?
It dropped rapidly because there was no reverse from dead ACC.

Also, during driving the pump turn on vs turn off duty cycle is too many, leading to worn pump/motor quicker.

yes i've used the pressure regulator on the side of the vanos unit, but in my understanding the vanos pump is running constantly, unlike the smg pump witch also used the pressure acumulator

about the price in europe price is better than us sites,

https://www.bmwstore.pl/pl/katalog/produkt/7836050-zbiornik-cisnieniowy

540zl is something about 135usd, but ive got better discount and also possibility to buy without 23%tax , so its like 99 usd

[maupineda]

That what i was thinking, also i thougt the leak down is to rapid, for my luck Acumulator tank is normaly priced something about 110-120 dolars so i will order new OE unit and will check how it changes
here is the vid i took before upped the presure one the vanos unit

Man, yours is holding pressure for pretty long, mine goes to zero in like 3 seconds

[maupineda]

That what i was thinking, also i thougt the leak down is to rapid, for my luck Acumulator tank is normaly priced something about 110-120 dolars so i will order new OE unit and will check how it changes
here is the vid i took before upped the presure one the vanos unit

Where can you find at 110-120, i just bought it from FCPEuro and was 350

[sapote]

here is the vid i took before upped the presure one the vanos unit

what do you mean "upped the pressure"? You adjusted the pressure regulator -- to how high?
It dropped rapidly because there was no reverse from dead ACC.

Also, during driving the pump turn on vs turn off duty cycle is too many, leading to worn pump/motor quicker.

[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.

That what i was thinking, also i thougt the leak down is to rapid, for my luck Acumulator tank is normaly priced something about 110-120 dolars so i will order new OE unit and will check how it changes
here is the vid i took before upped the presure one the vanos unit

[sapote]

Hi guys ive just mesured my vanos pressure it was reading 100bar (vanos was rebulid with beisan seals few k earlier)
did up the pressure for s54 specific 115bar, it is reading some presure dips when hiting the gas pedal
is it normal

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.

[Santino]

Hi guys ive just mesured my vanos pressure it was reading 100bar (vanos was rebulid with beisan seals few k earlier)
did up the pressure for s54 specific 115bar, it is reading some presure dips when hiting the gas pedal
is it normal i thougt i saw a vid that pressure stays constant when hiting the gas

[maupineda]

I was able to run my VANOS test with ISTA+, and the VANOS passes the test. Below are my results

*********************************************
Timing

(Actuals vs Nominal)

Exhaust Advance: 128 vs 128
Exhaust Retard: 79 vs 80
Intake Advance: 70 vs 70
Intake Retard: 130 vs 130

Tolerance in ISTA is +/-5 degrees

***********************************************
Adjustment Speed Exhaust
Advance: 293ms
Retard: 293ms

Adjustment Speed Intake
Advance: 293ms
Retard: 293ms

Limit in ISTA is 500ms

**********************************************

Exhaust

Setpoint 113°
Actual 111°
Leak Exhaust: 2°

Intake

Setpoint 115°
Actual 114°
Leak Intake: 1°

Tolerance in ISTA is +/-5 degrees

*********************************************

So based on this my VANOS is ok, the adjustment time I think is on the high side, I have seen results of 190-220ms. All this means I have no leaks and timing is right on the money

I think the response time can be influenced by the low pressure, based on my results it could just my regulating valve as everything else is working fine. I also noticed I don't hold pressure after shut off so my accumulator may be bad too.

[maupineda]

I found this interesting post, is for the S62 engine, but it seems to be the same logic for the S54. So a pressure leak can indeed also come from the solenoid pack.

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=18176

In my case, I have new seals, and the solenoid body was cleaned thoroughly, I, unfortunately, did not know all this so I don't have a test before my VANOS overhaul.

I have bought an ICOM to run the VANOS test with ISTA+, this will at least confirm if I have leaks or not, if I do, I may have leaky solenoids, based on what I was told by BEISAN is unlikely seals have failed in less than 2k miles, and my car has low miles for the pump to be the problem.

If my VANOS test passes, then it would be the pump

[Ahmed.Alghoul]

After replace the accumulater.

[Ahmed.Alghoul]

Finally I got the prussre testing kit, noticed rattle on the reading max 115 bar with flickering. On engine shutoff the pressure reach 30 bar in 4 to 5 sec.
so I change the vanos pressure accumulator.
problem solved.

[911Fiddler]

This sounds like you have a bad leaky vanos piston seal; could be damaged seal during installation. Or not having enough oil supply from the head: caused by a blockage regulator (the one between the head and vanos).

Yes, to revitalise te Vanos, new piston seals and a check over (for scoring/wear) and also a solenoid valves clean out -if theyre not able to seal, then could drop your line pressure -agree?

[911Fiddler]

This is what I was afraid of, that my unit has an issue. Where did you source it from? Raj told me my car has too low miles for the pump to have worn out but, I guess it can happen. Before throwing a new unit on I will change the restrictor valve as I damaged mine trying to disassemble it and noticed the internal cone has a scoring. I am doubting this be the issue but Hey, maybe I have a worn restrictor and being the cheaper part I will start there

My cone was scored, its no issue I think. A change to the spring strength, (softening), now thats an issue.