6-cyl double vanos problem assessment

[chivas]

then it shouldn't cost any of the owners now anything.

[rajaieq]

Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[rajaieq]

The S52 has a single vanos. It probably doesn’t have the spring in the vanos, so leaking seals would probably be ok. Like the M52 I’m not sure if there could be other implications.
The S54 has a double vanos. This is a different vanos design than the M52TU/M54/M56, but it does look fairly similar. Thus I would expect that it would also have a spring inserted into the exhaust vanos cylinder. If you can get your hands on the vanos you could easily tell. The exhaust piston will be difficult to push into the vanos cylinder. You’ll find the intake side easily moves. I suspect if you find and look at the BMW S54 engine documentation the spring will be discussed in the vanos section.

I don’t know about the European models you reference.
Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[rajaieq]

We didn’t try to assess the oil/seal functionality at varying temperatures. It might well be that initial failure takes place within a certain temperate range.
We did show though that when an M52TU engine is experiencing cold engine symptoms, that its vanos is also not functioning well at other temperatures. When we replaced the pistons/seals on a vanos with cold engine symptoms, the performance notably improved at all temperatures. The improvement characteristics were the same as the one’s credited to the double vanos. The cold engine symptoms also resolved. Thus we believe that when a vanos is experiencing cold engine failure, it will also malfunction at all engine temperatures.
I am currently not experiencing cold engines symptoms, but do believe that my vanos is not functioning as well as when new. The vanos pistons/seals are one year old now.

Hope this addressed your question.
Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[Twobeemers]

[rajaieq]

Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[rajaieq]

Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[16kpsi]

[Raoul R]

Anything that remotely sounds like stalling will interest NHTSA. I had this problem for awhile two winters ago, but it resolved itself and has not occurred since.

Raoul R
1999 528iT 5sp 11/98
110K

[Wookies Girl]

Can you tell me how I know if my 99 528i has this type of engine in it... I can say that I have this issue in the morning only when it is cold enough

[frankieNJ]

Hi All,

I have the exact same problem. 2000 528i sport/prem stickshift with 73,000 miles.
Idle is very rough only when cold. Idle bounces and sometimes stalls, again, only when cold. No fault codes whatsoever appear on the dash. I usually don't turn on the heat until the temp needed is dead center, helping the car to heat up faster, approx. 5 minutes. Still unacceptable for a $45,000 car with less than 80k miles.

frankieNJ

[Craig in Canada]

..according to everything I've seen. This corresponded to the launch of the E46 which used the M52TU from the start.

E39 pre-9/98 are M52. This is why Dinan (and other tuners) draw a line between before and after 9/98 for chips and other engine mods.

Craig.

[kgorczyn]

Although I'm in FL and it's never really that cold here. There have a been a few nights in the 30s and that's when the RPMs take a nice dip down low every 20-30 seconds until the car warms up.

:-/

[frankieNJ]

In NJ we have long winters and this problem gets annoying. i've decided to just let it be until BMW decides to take responsibility for such a cr@ppy design. These are high dollar cars, so they should just recall them and fix the problem correctly.

I mean really, c'mon BMW, how bout fixing the problem under "recall", taking a small loss, and improving brand loyalty. I gotta say, this is my second BMW, but i don't think i'll buy a third if this stuff keeps up. Much easier and less risky to buy an Acura, Toyota, or Infiniti for 35K fully loaded, and pocket the extra cash.

BMWs are no longer AS superior as they USED TO be. The competition is catching up. BMW, listen to your customers for once!!!!

frankieNJ

[volatile21]

You have the same engine. It is a M52TU (TU = Technical Update). Manufactured from 99 on. Prior to the 99 year I believe the engine (M52) only had a single VANOS. The M52TU has intake and exaust. I also have a 99 528 and experience this problem a lot, and I'm in Atlanta. I would hate to live a "Cold" climate, it would really piss my off!

Steve

[rajaieq]

Loach noted in a recent email that the vanos piston incorporates a bearing. It’s been so long since we’d looked at this aspect that I’d forgotten. The splined shaft mounts onto a bearing plate in the center of the piston. The plate not only rotates but it also shifts freely. I’m not sure what type of bearing this is. As I recall we compared an old vanos piton bearing to a new one and found no difference. The old bearing seems to function well. The inner seals are beaten-up.
Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[Wookies Girl]

Yesterday I picked my car up from my the new shop I am taking it to and I tried to tell the SA about this issue and he said.. Nope not your car.. Ok whatever

[rmedure]

Cold running issue can also be a vacuum leak ... and sometimes hard to find bad CVV.
Cheers!
Robert


'99 540i sport, 6 spd
3.15 differential
Stop Tech front big brake kit, SS lines
Eibach front/rear sway bars
Dinan strut tower brace
Hamman HM2 18" wheels w/Potenza SO3 tires
Rogue Engineering short shifter
Zionsville Autosport aluminum radiator
Resonator delete
ACS exhaust
ACS front & rear body kits
ACS 3 piece trunk spoiler
ACS pedal set and e-brake handle
CDV delete
EVO Sport under-drive pulley kit
M5 Grills
Hella Xenon AE, auto leveling, clear corners
Clear rear tail lights
Clear sidemarkers
Pre-wired V1 radar
Traction control default "OFF"
Homelink (lighted)
Icelink w/ID tag display
35% titanium tint

I am a BMW Car Club of America member, are you? http://www.bmwcca.org/

[tinius]

My 99 528iT (11/98) purchased last fall exhibits exactly the same symptom. In fact, I was in the forum this evening to write up a query about the problem when I read this post.

Thanks and looking forward to a solution.
-stephen

[tlcoll5866]

My 99 has all the problems listed, but having a 5 speed it never stalls. Well it did. What are the long term effects? Spring is slowly arriving. Should I put this at the top of my repair list? Or is this they all do that? I need some parts for my car, Clutch switch, and underengine shielding, is it dealer or someone else. I live outside Philly in Pa. Thanks Tim 99' 528is, 73 2002 tii,
bmwcca 50787