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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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N55 VANOS Bolt Failure Prevention
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02-28-2014, 03:58 PM | #45 | |
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Also, we need some pics of an N55 with the valve cover removed. It might not be in the service manual considering they don't list the bolts as separate components. Worth a try though. Fact. Although I would trade being flashable for a more reliable motor. |
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02-28-2014, 04:31 PM | #46 | |
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02-28-2014, 04:40 PM | #47 | ||
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02-28-2014, 05:33 PM | #49 | |
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These cars are built for performance, not necessarily economy, and definitely not for being 'bullet proof'. They are complicated, and all complicated machinery is subject to failure. You may never even have a VANOS failure, or a hpfp failure. It's the luck of the draw, and can be weighted by driving style and amount of regular upkeep you are willing to do. Don't sweat it.
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Bought 08/09/2013@53,340mi Current 3/13/2019@206,283mi Fail(s): tstat hous/water pump 89k, Chargepipe 106k, coolant tank 114k, FRM3 114k Maint: Walnut blast 101k, Trans/T-case Fluid 103k, OFHG 195k |
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02-28-2014, 06:22 PM | #50 | ||
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02-28-2014, 06:33 PM | #51 | |
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If no one comes through with any info on the bolts I will buy this broken VANOS unit from eBay and measure the bolts myself. |
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03-01-2014, 02:22 AM | #54 |
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Figured I would just answer your PM in this thread.
The one bolt I have that is out of the adjuster is 25mm long and is a 6mm metric with a 1.0mm pitch. I assume the other bolts would be identical but can't know for sure. https://www.dropbox.com/s/5p8ckispfwy59ig/DSC_0127.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/s/iatjpvey2m1lemg/DSC_0128.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/s/3s75ygjypkfzs5t/DSC_0130.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/s/us7w9h0y67eqwsg/DSC_0131.JPG I was told the bolts are magnesium by the shop that did the repairs and that the bolts alone can not be replaced. I looked at my units and see no physical reason the bolts could not be as it looks like simply a threaded hole to me. The bolt is very light, best scale I had only goes as low as grams but it was only 2 grams. https://www.dropbox.com/s/91tqgcevxv8wjcu/DSC_0136.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/s/6u5j3wazdln0xht/DSC_0144.JPG I'm in Canada and the parts + labor to do this job at an indy shop was around $2k including diagnosis, oil flush/change. Dealer estimated $4,800 and with goodwill they may cover 2/3 of the bill but I had DP's on so there was likely no hope for goodwill really. I did not drop the pan to find the bolt heads because I knew I wasn't keeping the car. This pic is all I had of the unit still attached to the cam, probably not much help. https://www.dropbox.com/s/9cdnhbqpo1bjo11/DSC_0002.JPG Few pics of the unit itself with the cover that these bolts hold on taken off as well. https://www.dropbox.com/s/dhxuqegoc2zu1mh/DSC_0132.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ngosjkerbnnytm/DSC_0133.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/s/9t1n87shlht6iuy/DSC_0138.JPG Couldn't get pics to upload to the forums so I linked to my dropbox, no idea how long the links will stay active so if someone wants to download and repost the pics feel free. Hope this helps, good luck with your N55's... |
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03-01-2014, 07:23 AM | #55 | |
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Thanks man. BTW, here's the SIB (attached) |
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03-01-2014, 07:28 AM | #56 |
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So it looks like we might not be able to swap the bolts easily without taking the unit off.
But the bolts definitely DO look replaceable. Time to find the perfect bolt! If they are magnesium, there's a good chance the rest of the unit is also magnesium. I am having a hard time finding magnesium screws. I wonder how the shop identified them as being magnesium rather than aluminum? I know BMW uses aluminum bolts for the N52 with the magnesium block, rather than magnesium bolts. Last edited by Unklejoe; 03-01-2014 at 08:06 AM.. |
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03-01-2014, 09:13 AM | #57 |
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If this was so easy as just replacing bolts BMW would not have revised the whole unit. The new units are probably balanced for a new design with stronger bolts.
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03-01-2014, 10:00 AM | #58 | |
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If the bolt truly weighs 2 grams, it's probably aluminum. See: http://www.kamax.com/fileadmin/user_...ning_of_mg.pdf |
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03-01-2014, 10:13 AM | #59 |
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I have found a supplier of 7075 alloy T6 hardened aluminum bolts.
They don't have the 20mm in stock but I will call and see if they can order them. There is another company who sells 7075 aluminum bolts but I don't know about the hardness. Will report back... |
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03-01-2014, 10:52 AM | #60 |
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Another update:
The VANOS units are aluminum. I will be using steel bolts as originally planned. For a while, I thought they may have been magnesium (because the N52 block was magnesium). If that was the case, I was scared to use steel bolts because of the increase in stress during temperature changes and the likelihood of corrosion. Since it's aluminum, I will use steel bolts. (Even though alu and mg are pretty close in terms of thermal expansion I believe). Im sure aluminum bolts would be better in terms of thermal stability but I just don't trust their shear strength. Aluminum seems to be more resistant to corrosion with dissimilar metals. I will probably use a Zinc coated steel bolt. These look promising: http://www.mcmaster.com/#90327a138/=qwmk0y |
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03-01-2014, 11:00 AM | #61 |
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hmmm I have an April 2010 build and I've been FBO+Meth for a while now. I was never aware of this........ very unsettling indeed.
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03-01-2014, 11:45 AM | #62 |
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Here is a picture of a marking on the bottom of the bolt, might help you out
Marking shows Bergner, Richard GMBH & CO as the manufacturer of the bolt. Last edited by SinCalgary; 03-01-2014 at 12:02 PM.. |
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03-01-2014, 11:48 AM | #63 |
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This is yet another reason why I went with the N54 over the N55. Sucks to hear something so cheap be such a massive pain in the ass.
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03-01-2014, 05:39 PM | #64 | |
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Nice. Good info. I can't seem to find much about that manufacturer on the internet. Do you have a way of identifying the material that the bolts are made from? I am leaning towards aluminum. |
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03-02-2014, 05:09 AM | #66 | |
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I assume they used the revised bolts when fixing it, but then again im afraid of this happening again when the warranty is over, does anyone have the part number for the revised bolts?
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n55, solenoid, vanos |
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