6-cyl double vanos problem assessment

[SteveW]

I have the VANOS problem and got my car smogged yesterday without any problems. I posted a few days ago (short term software fix?) I took it to an indepandant mechanic for some unrelated repairs and had him resent the adpation values. Voila, no rough idle and much better performance. Last time it only lasted 30 days. We'll see this time.

I don't know if he reset the adpation values before or after the smog test. I'll ask tomorrow.

[rajaieq]

Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[SteveW]

Well, the test passed without coming close to failing. The mechanic did reset my adpation values before the test. Anyway, here are the results right off the printout:

15 mph, 1741 RPM
%CO2= 14.6, %O2=0.0
HC(PPM): max=50, average=9, amount measured=0
CO(%): max= .48, average=.02. amount measured=0.0
NO(PPM): Max= 414, average=57, amount measured=11

25 mph, 1735 RPM
%CO2= 14.6, %O2=0.0
HC(PPM): max=34, average=7, amount measured=0
CO(%): max= .45, average=.03. amount measured=0.0
NO(PPM): Max= 701, average=50, amount measured=10

[SteveW]

I didn't see if they used a dyno, but the last several tests at other places all used one. I believe all california smog test stations use them.

[tdhardin]

I put a sign on the back of my 528it thats reads:

my bmw has a 1200$ problem that reoccurres once a year. no help from bmw ):

maybe that will get attention down here in south florida.
I would love to remove this sign , but obviously, my sense of character wouldnt let me until at the very least a seal is available for the vanos.
sincerly,
Damion Hardin

[go_jesse]

I've noticed the same problem on my car. I have a 2000 328i. Thanks for all your investigation into this.

[ACS_Nick]

Countless number of people having this issue, are you going to do something about this? Are you going to step up??

[chivas]

[zeepack]

Thanks for the information Rajaie & Loach. I have a 99 528i and it has the same problem. Hopefully BMW NA will post a followup to their original message on 3/8/06.

[tdhardin]

this car and other bmws have a 1000$+ problem that reccures about once a year. its called vanos.no recall yet. call bmwna.

[RMedure]

I'd like to remind folks that if you have a rough idle problem that ONLY exists at cold start and in cold(er) weather ... then you do not necessarily have this VANOS problem (maybe you do, maybe you don't).

Always look for vacuum/intake leaks first. And if you're sure you have none, then you might instead have a faulty vacuum regulator. This happened to me once, it took me 2 winters to figure it out. Sometimes they make noise when they fail ... and sometimes they do not (mine did not). The best way to check is to measure the vacuum pressure under the oil cap.

I hope this helps somebody ... and I also hope BMW will finally get behind this VANOS thing and provides a solution.

[rajaieq]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate you posting it.
I was hoping the NOx values would be high. I presume they get the car up to temperature before performing the tests. This is important for EGR.
I’m sure there’s an explanation. I’ll refrain from speculating.

Thanks again.
Rajaie
528i 5sp 06/00

[Lucianca]

I have the same problem with my '99 528i.
For crying out loud, BMWUUSA, ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS EPIDEMIC?

[chivas]

fest: do a video recording of the problem. this way BMWNA can't push it off to something else or whatnot though RMedure's comments should be looked into before hand.

post some vids.. i want to see what the symptoms look like.

[fidola13]

the car on cold winter mornings. i sometimes go out and start the car (in an unheated garage)and 5 minutes later after a rough start the car would poop out! id end up getting in a cold car anyways! sara
99 jet black 528ia
dinan stage 2 s/w and cai
M5 grills, clears all around, euro-xenon AE's!35% tint
bmw oem front aero spoiler & M5 rear lip & M5 rear bumper w/ Supersprint Magnum exhaust. jl audio components-front, jl audio coaxials-rear powered by eclipse amp kenwood 10" subwoofer powered by rockford fosgate amp

[Dave_Schmidt]

I have the 8 not the 6, but this will definitely influence my decision for my next car if BMW ignores this problem.

[chivas]

[Dave_Schmidt]

I probably will not get a new car for a year or so. Things like this are major hits against getting another BMW. I'm sure that people that are directly hit with this problem have a very high probability of not getting another one.

[superchilled]

just adding more fuel to the fire....
same problem in my 00' 528iT

[robert111]

My wife's 03 525i sport wagon has been to the dealer three times for cold start problems: rough idle and stalling. Each time the car was returned with no improvement, and so we've given up. My wife hates the problem, although she loves the car. She nevertheless probably won't buy another BMW.

I haven't noticed any problems after the car warms up, but if the power isn't what it should be, I wouldn't notice. I'm used to my 7 series.

By the way, good work on this issue.