Need help doing vanos test with INPA

[JP1580]

Update (with status)
- VANOS test (using toolset32) -> FAIL (times out)
- VANOS pressure test -> FAIL

- Timing -> PASS
- VANOS Oil Flow Regulating Valve - 11367830341 -> replaced. Found what appears to be a clog.
- VANOS piston seals -> no nicks. Cleaned and reinstalled
- VANOS high pressure pump -> cleaned and reinstalled
- valve adjustment -> PASS
- VANOS high pressure valve -> disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt. Seems to be functional.

Planned:
- Valve cover gasket
- VANOS high pressure line
- VANOS Accumulator

If there are additional checks before I close the put the cover back on, let me know please.

[ac427]

Update (with status)
- VANOS test (using toolset32) -> FAIL (times out)
- VANOS pressure test -> FAIL

- Timing -> PASS
- VANOS Oil Flow Regulating Valve - 11367830341 -> replaced. Found what appears to be a clog.
- VANOS piston seals -> no nicks. Cleaned and reinstalled
- VANOS high pressure pump -> cleaned and reinstalled
- valve adjustment -> PASS
- VANOS high pressure valve -> disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt. Seems to be functional.

Planned:
- Valve cover gasket
- VANOS high pressure line
- VANOS Accumulator

If there are additional checks before I close the put the cover back on, let me know please.

Where did the stuff in the palm of your hand come from?

[JP1580]

It was shoved in the inlet portion on the oil flow regulating valve.

[ac427]

It was shoved in the inlet portion on the oil flow regulating valve.

Was made of metal?

Was it the regulator that supplies the vanos assembly or the regulator in the vanos valve block?

[JP1580]

Was made of metal? Yes. Think of the stainless steel scrubbers for pots and pans. It was shoved in the inlet hole (small OD)

Was it the regulator that supplies the vanos assembly or the regulator in the vanos valve block?

Yes

[ac427]

Yes

Yes, which?

[JP1580]

Yes, which?

My reply got buried in the "quote thing"
Was made of metal?Yes. Think of the stainless steel scrubbers for pots and pans. It was shoved in the inlet hole (small OD)

Was it the regulator that supplies the vanos assembly or the regulator in the vanos valve block? Vanos assembly

Picture is new replacement. I swapped my beisan o-rings.

[ac427]

My reply got buried in the "quote thing"
Was made of metal?Yes. Think of the stainless steel scrubbers for pots and pans. It was shoved in the inlet hole (small OD)

Was it the regulator that supplies the vanos assembly or the regulator in the vanos valve block? Vanos assembly

Picture is new replacement. I swapped my beisan o-rings.

All good. Thank you for replying.

[JP1580]

Update:
- Valve cover gasket -> new complete
- VANOS high pressure line -> Rogue Engineering installed*
- VANOS Accumulator -> new complete
- Checked the timing tensioner since the area has oil seepage. Gave it a quick tug (torque wrench can't fit there.

* Does anyone know the proper routing and where to clamp the p-clamp. (Picture please of your p-clamp location)

- CPV valve installed. Tighten it until it stopped.
Anyone know when it's good enough (outside of check after I run the car)

[sapote]

A lot of updates, but what’s the vanos P measurement now?

[JP1580]

A lot of updates, but what’s the vanos P measurement now?

In all honesty, I haven't start it yet.
I am rechecking everything to make sure I didn't screw anything up before starting the car.
It's the first time I'm wrenching on this car. I can confirm there are no extra screws (that's good news there)!

Crossing my fingers for all to go well.

[ac427]

In all honesty, I haven't start it yet.
I am rechecking everything to make sure I didn't screw anything up before starting the car.
It's the first time I'm wrenching on this car. I can confirm there are no extra screws (that's good news there)!

Crossing my fingers for all to go well.

Good luck mate. I'm sure with your attention to detail all will be well.

[JP1580]

Update:
Car started FINALLY
Pressure started at 30 bars.
Adjusted the high pressure valve.
Got it to stabilize at 86-88bars.

Not quite there.

Dilemma:
- adjustment screw is about 0.5mm recessed from the lock nut.
- lock nut measures 5.5mm

There's progress for sure but I'm not there yet.
I'm talking to Beisan to troubleshoot it. They're awesome to deal with.

[Grime]

I'm trying to do a vanos test using INPA but it seems like it's missing that and some other functions. I can connect to the car and get error codes and engine data like rpm, temperature, etc. but it doesn't appear to be fully functional. I've tried two different DCAN cables with the same results. I've reinstalled INPA several times from Mike's BMW Easy Tools but still can't seem to get it to work right. Attached are some screenshots. The YouTube videos I've watched have a vanos button in the status screen but mine doesn't. My car is a 2004 M3 and I'm using a Windows 10 64-bit computer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

On a 2004 E46 M3, the VANOS test should be available through the MSS54 module in INPA. If you can connect, read/clear faults, and see live data but don’t have the VANOS activation/test functions, I’d suspect the INPA/MSS54 script files or configuration rather than the DCAN cable itself.

Make sure you’re entering MSS54 → F6 (Status) → F2/F3 depending on the INPA version. The exact function labels can vary between script versions. Mike’s Easy BMW Tools installs can also have mismatched or incomplete MSS54 IPO/SGDAT files, especially on Windows 10.

I’d check that the MSS54 script set is actually the correct E46 M3/MSS54 version before reinstalling INPA again. The fact that you’re getting live engine data confirms the basic communication is working.

[sapote]

The metal shaves inside the low pressure regulator is a mystery and source for concern. They came from the cylinder head valve train I think. They could be in other bearings on the head.