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Variable NockenwellenSteuerung is the German name for what BMW calls their variable valve timing system. Simply referred to as VANOS, this system was designed to adjust its own valve timing to give the best performance, gas mileage, and reduce its environmental impact. Those who own a BMW with the VANOS system will know that despite its benefits, there have been issues with the system, creating needed repairs. In this article, we will discover how to know when something is wrong with your BMW’s VANOS system and how to have it repaired.
Symptoms of BMW VANOS Needing Repair
Knowing when you are having problems with the BMW VANOS is important to know if the VANOS is the problem, or is it something else. Some of the signs of a malfunctioning VANOS can also be caused by other failures, but having the knowledge can help you decide when to take your BMW in for inspection. Now here are a few symptoms to watch for.
- Loss of Power: When the VANOS system operates at lower RPMs and malfunctioning, you will find that there can be a significant loss of power from the engine.
- Fuel Usage Increase: Another sign that your VANOS is not operating as it should is if you begin to notice more fuel usage. Without regulating the valves correctly, your car will pump more gas into the engine to make up for the difference.
- Check Engine Light: Most people know that when the check engine light comes on it is time to have your car serviced. In this case, it may not have been the BMW VANOS system that caused the issue. However, when the system is malfunctioning, it could cause serious issues, so have your BMW checked as soon as possible to avoid any further problems.
- Rough Idle: As with the low RPS, you could experience a rough idle when at a red light or after starting your car to warm up. A rough idle is never supposed to happen. Have your BMW checked to make sure you will not have a more costly repair later.
- Oil Leak: When the seal around the VANOS solenoids are corrupted, you will begin to see oil leak from the solenoid locations. It is vital to stop driving your BMW if you see an oil leak, as this can damage the engine when low or cause a fire if the oil leaking ignites due to a hot engine or manifold.
- Excessive Vibration: When the VANOS system malfunctions you can experience an excessive vibration in your car.
Common Cause of VANOS Issues
Now that we can recognize what to look for when the VANOS system malfunctions, let’s take a look at the main cause of the VANOS malfunction. The most common issue with the VANOS system is that the original seals used deteriorate quickly over time. The original seals become hard and crack causing leaks in the system. After this design is compromised and symptoms will begin.
How to Maintain The BMW VANOS
BMW recognized the issue due to data tracking on repairs having to be made on the VANOS systems. A repair kit was developed with updated quality seals that corrects the issue. While those who chose to take their BMW’s to regular scheduled maintenance may have had their car’s corrected sooner, those who did not found that the problem turned into breakdowns, causing a loss of their time.
By maintaining your BMW at a shop that has expertise in the BMW brand and trained on the latest defects and updated repairs to solve problems you can have your BMW trouble free for a longer period of time.
Where to Take Your BMW
Knowing the symptoms when VANOS issues appear is vital to having your car repaired the right way and before a catastrophic failure occurs. At MotorHaus of West Palm Beach, Florida, our team of expertly trained technicians not only have knowledge of VANOS issues, but have corrected the issue many times over in the BMW brand. If you think that you are experiencing problems with your BMW or other highly engineered European car, contact us today to have your car serviced and repaired.
* Blue BMW E46 Sports Car image credit goes to: Roman Stasiuk.
