How a Faulty VANOS System Impacts Your BMW Engine in West Palm Beach

VANOS stands for “Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung”, which is German for variable camshaft control. Crafted by BMW, this is their proprietary technology, which functions similarly to variable valve timing technology. Introduced in 1990 and improved over the years, the camshaft was created to control the intake and exhaust valves while working in synchronization. This VANOS system dynamically adjusts its timing, allowing the intake and exhaust rates to change in response to engine RPM.

This is necessary because different RPMs require different rates of fuel intake, resulting in varied smoke exhaust. Engine RPM determines the vehicle’s speed, which means that more RPM equals faster speed and vice versa. Modern BMWs feature the Double VANOS system, which controls both intake and exhaust valves. It analyzes the live data of throttle position and engine temperature to adjust the camshaft position, thereby minimizing or maximizing the flow of fuel and oxygen.

Reasons Behind VANOS System Failure

• Degraded Solenoid Seals: The rubber O-rings or seals on the solenoid help seal the oil and maintain the hydraulic pressure. However, over time, with constant exposure to heat from the engine, the rubber of the seal degrades and loses its elasticity. This causes improper sealing and oil leaks, which reduces the solenoid’s ability to apply adequate pressure to the camshaft.
• Clogged Solenoid Valves: Deposition or clogging of debris and sludge on the oil pathways of the solenoid is caused by contaminants in the engine oil. Clogged solenoid valves diminish the pressure on the camshaft. This causes it to rotate partially, resulting in irregularities in intake and exhaust rates.
• Poor Oil Maintenance: The working mechanism of the VANOS system is significantly dependent upon the oil pressure generated by the engine oil. The system is calibrated to work with clean and BMW-compatible engine oil. Poor-quality oil and contaminated oil do not function properly due to differences in compatibility, composition, and viscosity. This negatively impacts the VANOS system functionality.
• Faulty Solenoid: Due to continuous activation over thousands of miles, the internal bearings and components of the solenoid in the VANOS system wear out. This causes a performance malfunction within the component, which then translates to a faulty VANOS system that affects the rotation of the camshaft.

Impact of VANOS System Failure in BMW

The VANOS system rotates the camshaft to optimize the intake and exhaust rate, producing better performance from the vehicle. So, any damage to the VANOS system affects the vehicle’s performance, directly or indirectly, such as:

• Loss of power: Your vehicle will experience low to mid RPMs at slower to moderate speeds. This happens due to the engine’s inability to deliver enough torque and horsepower from the compromised intake and exhaust
• Rough Idling: The engine may experience a drop in performance and idle roughly or misfire entirely.
• Irregular intake and exhaust rates: When these processes don’t work correctly, they reduce fuel efficiency.
• Cold weather: This is why the VANOS system is more likely to stall during winter seasons.
• Increased emissions: There’s a significant amount of fuel smoke and toxic gases.
• Severe engine damage: Ignoring a VANOS failure for an extended period could cause irreparable damage.

A damaged VANOS system is diagnosed with a BMW-specific OBD-II scanner, which reads the camshaft fault codes. For Double VANOS systems, the solenoid swap test is performed to pinpoint the exact camshaft that has damage. Then, the damaged component is inspected to determine the precise cause of the damage, and a repair is made to it. The repairs include:

1. Clogged solenoids are cleaned by removing the sludge buildup. Oil is changed for better flow and clog prevention.
2. The worn or damaged solenoid is replaced with a new one.
3. Damaged seals are replaced with new ones.
4. In cases of severe mechanical failure, the VANOS system is replaced entirely.

Preventive Maintenance for the BMW VANOS System

• Strictly follow the oil change schedule. Maintain the quality, condition, and level of the engine oil by doing timely oil refills with BMW-approved synthetic engine oil.
• Pay attention to any rattling sounds coming from the front of the engine, as it may be an indication of VANOS failure.
• Proactively replace the solenoid seal between 70,000 and 100,000
• As the VANOS system is a BMW proprietary technology, it is best to repair the damage in a BMW-specialized repair shop, such as MotorHaus, in West Palm Beach.
• Use OEM and its certified equivalent parts and components for any repair on sophisticated vehicles, such as BMW.

Repairing The Faulty VANOS System of Your BMW near West Palm Beach

We house ASE-certified technicians who have been working exclusively on German auto models, such as Mercedes, Mini, and BMW, since 2012. Our specialists are experts in their field of work, equipped with top-of-the-line factory-grade tools, diagnostic devices, and licensed software. We are happy to provide you with a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty for reassurance and peace of mind.

Operating from West Palm Beach, we also assist drivers from surrounding areas, including Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Delray Beach, and Lake Worth. If you’re driving a BMW in the West Palm Beach area and observing symptoms of VANOS system failure, such as loss of power, engine stall, rough idling or misfire, increased fuel consumption, or dashboard indicator light, then visit our shop, MotorHaus, for an accurate diagnosis and repair.

* Black BMW 550i Car image credit goes to: Brandon Woyshnis.