E46 M3 S54 Vanos pressure tests

[maupineda]

Hi,

I tested my vanos oil pressure and the gauge shows 35-40 bars. Tried to adjust the pressure regulator but response was minimal. Replaced both the regulator (11367838080) and regulating valve (11367830341) but the pressure is still the same. My vanos has been overhauled by BMW specialist using all of Beisan's spare parts.


Any ideas?

I have found the same problem, I was thinking about changing the restrictor valve but it seems that based on your experience that is not the issue, and I thought so as the valve only comes into play if pressure surpasses the 115bar setpoint. before that it does nothing, My pressure was about 45-50 when warm, but was 100 when cold. I was very confident of the rebuilt I did as I was very careful to install the seals delicately, but it seems maybe I did not.

By the way, drives fine, no codes, rattles, or performance issues (she pulls hard in any rpm), she has hesitated three or so times on me between 2-3k rpm, and this could be the case, unfortunately . I don't drive her much so maybe the issue is there but I drive very little.

Pressure when cold



Pressure when hot

[heinzboehmer]

I have found the same problem, I was thinking about changing the restrictor valve but it seems that based on your experience that is not the issue, and I thought so as the valve only comes into play if pressure surpasses the 115bar setpoint. before that it does nothing, My pressure was about 45-50 when warm, but was 100 when cold. I was very confident of the rebuilt I did as I was very careful to install the seals delicately, but it seems maybe I did not.

By the way, drives fine, no codes, rattles, or performance issues (she pulls hard in any rpm), she has hesitated three or so times on me between 2-3k rpm, and this could be the case, unfortunately . I don't drive her much so maybe the issue is there but I drive very little.

Pressure when cold



Pressure when hot

Since you've got a gauge, you can try moving the pressure regulator back into spec. There's a slot for an allen bit at the end of the regulator that is used to set the pressure it operates at. I think clockwise raises pressure and counterclockwise lowers it. I recently adjusted mine and now my pressure is 115 when hot or cold at basically any rpm (it was at ~100 before and would change based on oil temp and rpm).

[maupineda]

Since you've got a gauge, you can try moving the pressure regulator back into spec. There's a slot for an allen bit at the end of the regulator that is used to set the pressure it operates at. I think clockwise raises pressure and counterclockwise lowers it. I recently adjusted mine and now my pressure is 115 when hot or cold at basically any rpm (it was at ~100 before and would change based on oil temp and rpm).

I tried it, no change. I think I have a pump issue. I reached out to Beisan and he thinks the oil pump disc shaft may be worn, or the disc in my kit is loose vs the disk shaft thus failing to build pressure. The disc in my kit was a billet one from Beisan, not a modified OE.

EDIT: when cold, I was able to adjust the pressure at will, I set it up to 115, but as it warms up, pressure drops...

[ATB88]

Since you've got a gauge, you can try moving the pressure regulator back into spec. There's a slot for an allen bit at the end of the regulator that is used to set the pressure it operates at. I think clockwise raises pressure and counterclockwise lowers it. I recently adjusted mine and now my pressure is 115 when hot or cold at basically any rpm (it was at ~100 before and would change based on oil temp and rpm).

This is interesting. On my car, at the furthest limit of adjustment on the restrictor, my car is 90-100bar at idle. Under load it goes up to 115, but at idle, no dice. VANOS has had the full Beisan treatment. I wonder if the fact that I can't adjust mine to be a constant 115 bar like yours indicates a problem somewhere?

[heinzboehmer]

This is interesting. On my car, at the furthest limit of adjustment on the restrictor, my car is 90-100bar at idle. Under load it goes up to 115, but at idle, no dice. VANOS has had the full Beisan treatment. I wonder if the fact that I can't adjust mine to be a constant 115 bar like yours indicates a problem somewhere?

Mine doesn't change much between idling and under load (hope that doesn't mean there's an issue with my gauge or something lol), but I wouldn't worry about it as long as the pressure is in spec when necessary (under load).

Also, have you remeasured the pressure after adjusting intially? The fact that your pressure regulator has to be maxed out to get to 115 is a bit weird to me. Mine felt like it had a good amount of adjustment range left still. It might be totally fine, but I would still double check.

[gorilla69]

I have found the same problem, I was thinking about changing the restrictor valve but it seems that based on your experience that is not the issue, and I thought so as the valve only comes into play if pressure surpasses the 115bar setpoint. before that it does nothing, My pressure was about 45-50 when warm, but was 100 when cold. I was very confident of the rebuilt I did as I was very careful to install the seals delicately, but it seems maybe I did not.

By the way, drives fine, no codes, rattles, or performance issues (she pulls hard in any rpm), she has hesitated three or so times on me between 2-3k rpm, and this could be the case, unfortunately . I don't drive her much so maybe the issue is there but I drive very little.

Pressure when cold



Pressure when hot

Exactly the same pal.

I sourced another vanos unit, used the beisan stuff from my old one and after I installed it everything works fine; also pressure is 100-105 bars & vanos test is ok

According to BMW, Vanos pressure should be 100-105 bars.

[maupineda]

Exactly the same pal.

I sourced another vanos unit, used the beisan stuff from my old one and after I installed it everything works fine; also pressure is 100-105 bars & vanos test is ok

According to BMW, Vanos pressure should be 100-105 bars.

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

[ATB88]

Exactly the same pal.

I sourced another vanos unit, used the beisan stuff from my old one and after I installed it everything works fine; also pressure is 100-105 bars & vanos test is ok

According to BMW, Vanos pressure should be 100-105 bars.

I'm pretty sure BMW spec is 115 bar. I think there is an early tech document out there that says 100 but later ones state 115.

[ATB88]

Mine doesn't change much between idling and under load (hope that doesn't mean there's an issue with my gauge or something lol), but I wouldn't worry about it as long as the pressure is in spec when necessary (under load).

Also, have you remeasured the pressure after adjusting intially? The fact that your pressure regulator has to be maxed out to get to 115 is a bit weird to me. Mine felt like it had a good amount of adjustment range left still. It might be totally fine, but I would still double check.

Right, I also feel like my biggest concern is that it took getting to the very limit of adjustment to get to 115. Makes me feel like there must be a weak link somewhere else in the system. I'm going to give it another check soon when I get around to digging back into my valve cover to re-trace the steps that lead to my hard start issue...

[911Fiddler]

Need more information about the vanos fitting adapter size ,where could find online.

The fittings and adaptors are a nightmare, need custom adaptors..

[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.

[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?

[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.

[Ahmed.Alghoul]

After replace the accumulater.

[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