Vanos as preventative maint? Deal at local indie....

[Washburn]

My ZHP only has 38k miles and I really don't think I have any vanos symptoms but then again I am not an expert ... One day I thought I heard a rattle but probably my imagination...
Anyway the local BMW specialized indie shop is having a special on vanos rebuild for $390
Includes Beisan anti rattle kit, vcg and timing cover gasket also
They normally charge around $600

Should I jump on this ? Does it make sense to do it this early?
Any advice would be appreciated ...

[Avetiso]

It's gonna rattle eventually.

[BimmerWill]

Sounds like a decent deal to me. Parts would run you close to half that id imagine. Especially if you don't really have the tools or space.

They say those seals go bad by 40k but I don't know how valid that number is. Still couldn't hurt though. If you were going to diy I would go ahead and jump on it before the Vcg plasticizes. Taking the old one off my car is what took a majority of my time up when I did it.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[Washburn]

I am never going to DIY this - I don't have the tools nor will I have enough know how to tackle something of this level
I just don't know if I would be wasting money if I got this done now...money that I can spend on something else...
Thanks for the feedback so far...

MODS: please move to maintenance section
I posted on mechanical section by mistake

[BimmerWill]

I would say jump on it. No harm will come to the car if you were to wait but if it will save you almost $300 down the road then why not.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[kayger12]

Moved.

And I would jump in it.

Sent from the Last Next Best Thing.

[johnrando]

Yes, jump. Esp. since they do the anti-rattle.

[johnrando]

It's gonna rattle eventually.

They include the Beisan anti-rattle kit so it takes care of that. Mine actually don't rattle at 62K so far, knock on wood.

[ELCID86]

Name of the shop? May be worth the drive for some of us. We heard a little rattle on mine yesterday :(

[Avetiso]

They include the Beisan anti-rattle kit so it takes care of that. Mine actually don't rattle at 62K so far, knock on wood.
Yes. What I meant was get it done while there is a good deal, because it's gonna fail and rattle eventually. Might as well get it done sooner than later.

[johnrando]

OH! Duh. :biggrin That makes sense. I thought you meant DON'T do it because it would rattle again eventually, which COULD happen if you didn't use the non-BMW seals.

[Washburn]

Name of the shop? May be worth the drive for some of us. We heard a little rattle on mine yesterday :(
Import Motor werks in Cary NC

Seems I CANT do it as they only do it this week but I am communicating with them to see...i am still undecided...

[danewilson77]

It costs about $160.00 diy.

You have the family at your fingertips.

Dhu eet.

Done.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

[ELCID86]

Import Motor werks in Cary NC

Seems I CANT do it as they only do it this week but I am communicating with them to see...i am still undecided...
I'd hold off from what i've learned (I'll probably let mine rattle for a bit too). And as Dane says, others can help you for 1/2 the price.

[Washburn]

Thanks guys - I am leaning towards holding off for now as I really don't have any Sx - I'd rather get the cooling system overhaul done at 60k or so.

...I know I will never have the ability to DIY vanos really, as max level I can handle now is an oil change, BUT that the family is around gives me hope :) I can only provide company / beer / food / money for labor :) etc, and minor help during it...

[kayger12]

Yes. What I meant was get it done while there is a good deal, because it's gonna fail and rattle eventually. Might as well get it done sooner than later.

Not sure about this. It seems from following threads over the years that they either rattle or they don't.

If your bearing spacers are off, the rattle develops fairly early in the life of the motor (mine was rattling away at purchase-- 45K miles). If your spacers are good, they're good. It is very unlikely that a rattle develops regardless of mileage (my understanding anyway).

[danewilson77]

Thanks guys - I am leaning towards holding off for now as I really don't have any Sx - I'd rather get the cooling system overhaul done at 60k or so.

...I know I will never have the ability to DIY vanos really, as max level I can handle now is an oil change, BUT that the family is around gives me hope :) I can only provide company / beer / food / money for labor :) etc, and minor help during it...

How about I drive down and we do the job together? Your only 3 hours, 48 minutes from me.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

[Washburn]

Sir - can't describe how kind your offer is;
But if you're going to do it with me, I think the least I can do is drive to you, no? My schedule is very tight most of the time, but I mentioned this just now to my dear wife and she was also saying how nice your offer is. I will definitely check my schedule and perhaps come down there (at your convenience) for a week end, get a small hotel and meet you and do this and have some fun...Wife likes this idea too (she LOVES traveling in/outside the US!) - she will run around and explore the city while we work on Gretchen.
Let me know what you think :)

[danewilson77]

Sir - can't describe how kind your offer is;
But if you're going to do it with me, I think the least I can do is drive to you, no? My schedule is very tight most of the time, but I mentioned this just now to my dear wife and she was also saying how nice your offer is. I will definitely check my schedule and perhaps come down there (at your convenience) for a week end and meet you and do this and have some fun...Wife likes this idea too (she LOVES traveling in/outside the US!)
Let me know what you think :)

Perfect. Set it up. I'll show you guys Williamsburg as well. We can do vanos. Wives can go shopping. :)

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

[Washburn]

Cool !
wifey just left for night shift, but will talk with her and arrange - very rare to get our off week ends lined up right now as she's on a 7 nights on, 7 nights off schedule at the hospital - and I work every 3rd wkend , etc, but we'll manage it somehow and inform you when we're ready, and check with you about your availability.

[Avetiso]

Not sure about this. It seems from following threads over the years that they either rattle or they don't.

If your bearing spacers are off, the rattle develops fairly early in the life of the motor (mine was rattling away at purchase-- 45K miles). If your spacers are good, they're good. It is very unlikely that a rattle develops regardless of mileage (my understanding anyway).
Oh, I didn't know that. The seals will still fail regardless, though. Right?

[Torxuvin]

:shrugs My car has no rattle. 103k miles. Never been replaced.

[kayger12]

Oh, I didn't know that. The seals will still fail regardless, though. Right?

Definitely. Seals start falling as early as 20k miles.

Sent from the Last Next Best Thing.

[danewilson77]

Cool !
wifey just left for night shift, but will talk with her and arrange - very rare to get our off week ends lined up right now as she's on a 7 nights on, 7 nights off schedule at the hospital - and I work every 3rd wkend , etc, but we'll manage it somehow and inform you when we're ready, and check with you about your availability.

Another option is you just come and we knock it out in a day. Meaning you can come up and be back in a day.

4 hours + 5 hours + 4 hours = 13 hours (Drive-work-drive).

Totally up to you.

[jgt_zhp]

How about I drive down and we do the job together? Your only 3 hours, 48 minutes from me.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA


Perfect. Set it up. I'll show you guys Williamsburg as well. We can do vanos. Wives can go shopping. :)

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA


Another option is you just come and we knock it out in a day. Meaning you can come up and be back in a day.

4 hours + 5 hours + 4 hours = 13 hours (Drive-work-drive).

Totally up to you.

Not to point out the obvious, but there really aren't too many forum around where the new Boss would offer to come to your house and fix your car. Or have you to his house, and fix your car. This place is really different.

Dane, have you thought about a high ranking position in Washington? That sort of spirit got lost there a couple hundred years ago. You're on the top 10 all time hero list, even if you didn't play for the Astros. Their loss.

[danewilson77]

Hehe....thanks Jeff. I enjoy you guys, your cars, your families, and just want to help out where I can. Many would do / are doing this sort of thing around the forum.

No hero here. Just a regular Mafioso.

[echo46]

As stated above, these seals will eventually fail and you will be listening to a deisel engine and possibly decrease in power. The seals failed on my prior e36 and it sounded bad. I would recommend the beisan refresh. I did the refresh on both my e36 and the ZHP. This is not a difficult DIY. I would say save yourself some money and do it yourself or even better with the skill and expertise of The Boss.

By the way, when my clutch goes, I'll be looking for some help...

[slowboat]

Just a friendly reminder-- this is not the kind of operation to do after the car was driven for 4 hours. That somebitch is gonna be red hot! The motor should be COLD.