Vanos Lockdown on my E46 M3

This weekend my E46 M3 got some important preventative maintenance. Working with a guy from M3Forum who specializes in this work, we locked down the Vanos system on my car. Vanos is an abbreviation of the German word for the variable camshaft timing system. The system on my S54 engine adjusts the timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts, referred to as “Double Vanos.”

BMW designed Vanos to improve engine efficiency and performance. At lower engine speeds, the valves open later for smoother idle and better power delivery. At higher engine speeds the valves open earlier for better torque and improved fuel economy. First introduced in 1996, Vanos is an efficient system that unfortunately degrades and breaks down over time.

This is so well known that a cottage aftermarket industry has developed to address the issue. Vanos problems include rubber seals that harden and leak, exhaust hub face tabs breaking off, camshaft bolts loosening and the solenoid pack failing. Chapter and verse with pictures can be seen here. A company called Beisan Systems sells upgraded and/or modified parts that can lockdown a car’s Vanos and prevent problems down the road.

I enjoy a good DIY project but this one was above my pay grade. I enlisted the help of a well-respected M3Forum member, Dave F., who goes by the online handle Dafoe. He is an IT professional in Maryland who has built a side business doing Vanos work in the greater DMV area. A fellow owner I know had him do his car last year and recommended his work highly. Another good sign was when I called Beisan to order the parts, and the owner Raj knew exactly who Dave was.

Since doing the full Vanos lockdown requires taking off the top of the engine to time the camshafts, it’s easy to do other maintenance procedures “while you’re in there,” as the DIY expression goes. A big one on the E46 M3 is valve adjustment. The S54 uses solid valve lifters that need to be checked manually every 30,000 miles. Back when the E46 M3 was designed, solid lifters allowed valves to be set more precisely, allowing for high RPMs and a bit more power. These were typical attributes of BMW M engines prior to the turbo age.

Most cars use hydraulic lifters that don’t require adjustment. Today BMW uses its Valvetronic technology (working in conjunction with Vanos) and is totally self-adjusting. There are clearance ranges for the intake (.18 -23 mm.) and exhaust (.28 – .33 mm.) valves, four per cylinder. Some specialized tools and knowledge are required. According to service records I received when I bought the car in 2014, the job had last been done 26,000 miles ago. Yet it turned out that 11 of the 24 valves needed adjustment.

Here’s more info and pictures from an aftermarket vendor selling a kit. Dave told me he almost always does the valves along with the Vanos. We also replaced the valve cover gasket, the timing chain tensioner, the fan clutch and the spark plugs. The project took about four and a half hours.

I spent $770 dollars on parts (after Beisan core charge refunds), plus a reasonable amount to Dave for his expertise and time.I spent more for the OEM valve cover gasket. There was a much cheaper one available, but I wanted to ensure a secure seal. We used sealant at the corners and the “half moons” of the gasket. Dave did the spark plugs last, but loosened them immediately. This makes turning the crankshaft via the fan socket much easier. He also used blue locktite (not red) on the replacement camshaft bolts.

For comparison purposes, the maintenance records show that the previous owner of my car paid $1,700 to an independent mechanic for Inspection II (BMW’s term for a full tuneup) and a valve adjustment. I spent less than that for total Vanos peace of mind plus a bunch of labor intensive jobs the car would have needed eventually. I’d estimate I saved about $1,500, if not more. Most shops would charge $600+ for the valve cover gasket replacement alone.

It was a good investment, and quite the learning experience watching the procedures. Reading about the process is one thing, watching it being done quite another. If I ever decide to sell the car, it’s well documented that having the Vanos done increases the value of the car. I’m glad I found Dave – sometimes DIY research leads to the conclusion that you should pay an expert to do the work.

Some pictures below, click to enlarge. Feel free to reach out with questions if a Vanos lockdown is on your BMW to-do list.

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