Valve timing control (VANOS) components — removal, inspection and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

VANOS regulator unit

Note: The valve timing adjuster is located on the ends of the camshafts on the front side of the engine.

Removal

1. Remove the cooling system fan with the shroud (see chapter 3).

2. Remove the cylinder head cover (see paragraph 4).

3. On the front side of the VANOS regulator, unscrew the oil supply pipe union bolt (Fig. 9.3). Remove the sealing rings.



4. Disconnect the electrical connectors of the exhaust shaft position sensor and the solenoid valves (Fig. 9.4).



5. Loosen the nut and remove the rigging bracket from the front of the engine.

6. Remove the plastic cover from the intake camshaft.

7. Set the engine to the TDC position of piston No.1 (see paragraph 3).

8. Unscrew the two plugs on the front side of the phase regulator (Fig. 9.8). Prepare for oil leakage. The sealing rings can be thrown away - new ones will be required during installation.





9. Using needle-nose pliers, remove the sealing plugs from the ends of the camshafts (Fig. 9.9).



10. Using a slotted head, unscrew the set screws from the shafts (Fig. 9.10). Note: the screws have a left-hand thread.



11. Loosen the phase regulator mounting nuts and remove the VANOS regulator from the engine. Remove the gasket.



12. Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshafts while the phase adjuster is removed, otherwise the pistons may hit the valves.

Examination

13. To check the operation of the VANOS regulator, special BMW equipment is required. Contact your dealer or a specialized service station.

Installation

14. Make sure that the crankshaft and camshafts are in the TDC position of piston No.1 (see paragraph 3).

15. Make sure the locating bushings on the upper regulator mounting studs are in place.

16. Apply a small amount of Drei Bond 1209 sealant to the corners of the mating surfaces of the cylinder head with the VANOS adjuster. Then place a new gasket on the mounting surface of the cylinder head under the adjuster (Fig. 9.16).



17. Install the VANOS regulator and tighten its mounting nuts securely.

18. Screw the set screws into the ends of the shafts and tighten them to the required torque. Remember that the screws have left-hand threads. Check the condition of the sealing rings on the end plugs of the shafts and insert the plugs.

19. Otherwise, installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, observing the following notes.

• a) When connecting the oil supply pipe to the regulator, replace the sealing rings.
• b) Install the cylinder head cover as shown in paragraph 4.
• c) Install the cooling system fan with the shroud as specified in chapter 3.
• d) Before starting the engine, do not forget to remove the crankshaft lock from the flywheel.

Regulator solenoid valve

Note: The sealing ring must be replaced during installation.

Removal

20. Turn off the ignition.

21. Disconnect the electrical connector from the valve solenoid, which is attached to the engine wiring harness behind the oil filter.

22. Unscrew the electromagnetic valve and remove the sealing ring from it (Fig. 9.22).

Examination

23. Check whether the anchor of the electromagnet can be easily moved back and forth by hand (Fig. 9.23). If the anchor sticks, replace the electromagnet.

Installation

24. Install the valve in the reverse order of removal.