How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

For the M Powered Z3 derivatives
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by pingu »

Hopefully these videos will help you decide if you want to take on the dreaded rattle or poor performance.

It will cost you around £150 to get it sorted if you DIY. Now that I know what I'm doing, I could do the full repair in a long day.

You should still read the Beisan instructions (Seal Replacement and Rattle Procedure) before you attempt the repair, but I'd also advise you to view my videos as well. Also read the BMW TIS if you have access to it.

There are linked videos within the videos and I'm not sure how the YouTube viewer will handle them, so I've included the links so you can go directly to the source if it all goes wrong :) ....

Removing the Vanos

https://youtu.be/aiLbv35Mhws

Removing the VANOS and the Diaphragm Springs
https://youtu.be/jgRI5t12GxY

Overhauling the VANOS
https://youtu.be/uE89Tzd3Ajk

Servicing the Pinions
https://youtu.be/LwVoT0hC9AQ

Servicing the Solenoids
https://youtu.be/XOiL03p6zNc

Stretching a TEFLON Seal
https://youtu.be/ybacuikGxzY

Cleaning the VANOS Pump
https://youtu.be/2aHofBcfZvI

Refitting the VANOS
https://youtu.be/QnSKuOjqAok

Advancing the Timing Chain on the Exhaust Sprocket
https://youtu.be/Mr2Jqnbkmw0

Measuring the Valve Clearances
https://youtu.be/7JFEcR9x7nk
Pingu
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by bertiejaffa »

Well done fella - you could now make a lot of money if you wanted !!
Here come the girls.....
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by pingu »

bertiejaffa wrote:Well done fella - you could now make a lot of money if you wanted !!
Been there, done that :)

I'd rather have time to spend a little than lots of dosh and no time :wink: .
Pingu
Joycey
Joined: Mon 11 Jul, 2011 22:15
Posts: 290

  M roadster S52
Location: Basingstoke

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by Joycey »

Cracking video Pingu!
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by pingu »

I've just priced the whole job.

Seal Kit - Beisan - $80 (£65). Best price on eBay is £55 (includes the solenoid seals which Beisan doesn't include)
Anti-Rattle Kit - Beisan - $80 (£65)
Anti-Rattle Tool - Beisan - $20 (£16) You could try to hold the pinion in a vice, but you would probably fail without the tool and damage the pinion.
Camshaft and Crankshaft Timing Tools - eBay - £46 (not essential, but makes the job a lot easier)
Solenoid Plug Diodes - eBay - £10.33 for various diodes, most of which were wrong. The correct ones cost £2.95 for 10, but I only needed 2.
Diaphragm Springs - BMW - £48.21 (£43.39 with 10% discount)
Solenoid O-Rings - BMW - £49.97 (included in eBay kit)
Timing Chain Tensioner Seal - BMW - £0.30
Solenoid Cover Gaskets - BMW - £16.06 (not required unless badly damaged)
Thrust Washer - BMW - £7.72 (£6.95 with 10% discount)
3x Valve Shims - eBay - £10.03

Some switches and terminals to make a solenoid activation tool - eBay - £3.80
I also had to buy a 24mm open-ended spanner - Halfords - £9.99

So, the total cost was just a little bit under £350, but with more knowledge (and if I had the tools, or make do without them) I could have done it for around £210.
Last edited by pingu on Sat 13 May, 2017 19:42, edited 1 time in total.
Pingu
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elwood158
Joined: Thu 17 Mar, 2011 12:05
Posts: 37

  M roadster S50
Location: melbourne

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by elwood158 »

Pingu, great post mate.
Love your work. Unfortunately, I'm not techie enough to attempt such work but will direct my mechanic to this post when I decide to do some fixing up....

Thanks

Elwood
1999 M Roadster (S50)
Porsche 911 RS hotrod
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c_w
Joined: Thu 19 Aug, 2004 16:50
Posts: 4032

  M roadster S50

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by c_w »

Nice. A lot of work gone in to making those videos!
Martini
Joined: Tue 26 May, 2015 14:24
Posts: 21

  M coupe S50

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by Martini »

A great job, thanks for sharing all that!
Cooper01
Joined: Tue 29 Apr, 2014 08:06
Posts: 163

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: How to Repair the S50B32 VANOS

Post by Cooper01 »

Great job! I am replacing the rocker cover gasket and thought I would replace the Vanos seals while I have it all apart anyway. Just waiting on the parts now. No other work will be done.
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