[snkeyez95]

First and foremost I cannot thank this community enough for all the valuable information and insight.

Back story: Took my 07' AT to a track day last year to only be a victim of overheating. Complained long enough to different dealerships and finally found one to agree to put in an oil cooler.

Current: So with my oil cooler installed and an upcoming track day coming up I ordered the accessport. Installed stage 1 aggressive on Wednesday and had a blast. The power was great. I did notice at or around 4-5k RPM under WOT the car would seem to drop momentarily a bit of power and then come back really strong. A quick hesitation or loss of full power. No data log (still kind of a noob at this point). Saturday comes and it's day 1 of track weekend. Flash to stage 0 just to give me a baseline if my car would overheat again and to verify if the oil cooler helped. Well about 10 minutes into my first 30 minute session I get the half engine light and reduced power. Thought for sure I had overheated. Checked for codes and P2A87 popped up. Did a quick google/forum search and discovered it hadn't over heated, just a Vanos error. Per some other forum member suggestions, I reset the codes and uninstalled the Cobb. Trying to narrow any variables at this point.

2 more 30 minute sessions with everything uninstalled and I didn't have any issues. No codes, half engine lights, or overheating. Next day I decide to throw on stage 1 aggressive and after about 15 minutes on session 1 Sunday I get the half engine light and reduced power. Checked the codes and had four (P2AAF, P2A87, and P3100, and UODAD {service code for brake pad sensor I think}).

I pulled up the boards again and discover that since I have had a new HPFP installed not long ago the P2AAF is something to essentially ignore. My concern is now just the Vanos codes. Is this an issue with the tune or did it just highlight an already slowly failing Vanos solenoid?

Uninstalled the tune and cleared codes and went out for session 2 to only have the half engine light and P2A87 pop back on. So now I'm thinking it's probably truly a failing part and I left the code intact so I can schedule a service appointment and have it addressed.

So you could imagine my displeasure for my overall weekend and started to blame the accesport I installed. So here I am, perplexed. I don't imagine it's any fault of the tune, rather an aging car (58k miles) and aging parts. I expected this may highlight any weaknesses with the car.

So to my questions:

What was the surge in power I experienced? I also noticed it on the track over the weekend with a good 100 miles since it was originally installed. I’m sure it’s impossible to comment without looking at a data log.

Would the beta v. 4 maps elevate any of what I’m experiencing.
Should I just expect to have codes thrown a lot and experience half engine reduced power? I certainly will have BMW service the Vanos code.

When I get the car back from BMW and have them address the P2A87 can I post a log of a hard 3rd to 4th pull to be analyzed by you all to see if you detect any issues? What is the best/preferred method for acquiring a log file? 3rd-4th? 0-X MPH. A few hard pulls through all gears?


Again, thank you all for this powerful resource of information. I am ecstatic with the gains in performance, just want to make sure it’s going to be a long and enjoyable one.

[rader1]

VANOS failures are a fairly common occurence and are just a quirk of the car(as are HPFP related issues.) The surge you described is more than likely the surge that v3.01 was notorious for. V4xx maps have smoothed out significantly.

[snkeyez95]

Originally Posted by rader1

VANOS failures are a fairly common occurence and are just a quirk of the car

Even after replacing the solenoids?

Originally Posted by rader1

The surge you described is more than likely the surge that v3.01 was notorious for. V4xx maps have smoothed out significantly.

Thanks...I will try out the v.4 maps soon.

[rader1]

Originally Posted by snkeyez95

Even after replacing the solenoids?

Almost always replacing or cleaning the solenoids fixes the problems.

[marv85]

I had this issues when my car was around 45k. replaced the Vanos solenoids (both actually) and car ran like a champ. Haven't had one limp mode occurrence in the past 30k miles

[snkeyez95]

Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely have BMW service the code and hope it results in new solenoids. Otherwise the DIY doesn't seem difficult.

[EastCoast335i]

From my understadnding Stg 0 = Stock.
So no need to completely uninstall the Cobb next time you want to run stock, to check if the tune is causing the issue.

[oshusttoley]

both my vanos went and my car only has 34k miles for an 08

[RaihaX]

My vanos died at 30,000km

[litz4244]

soleniods dont always fix it. Could have groves worn in cam carriers.

[snkeyez95]

Originally Posted by EastCoast335i

From my understadnding Stg 0 = Stock.
So no need to completely uninstall the Cobb next time you want to run stock, to check if the tune is causing the issue.

I originally started at Stage 0 in an attempt to see if the car would overheat. When I got the first Vanos code I uninstalled completely and still got the code.

[raceyBMW]

Vanos codes can be a simple as the solenoids, or it can be the cam bearing ledges (I had this repaired on mine under warranty). Both are known issues.

[benzy89]

Not to introduce a new problem, but I hope that if you were running the Aggressive map that you were at least putting 93 octance in your tank... And do you have any other mods on the car?

[snkeyez95]

Originally Posted by benzy89

Not to introduce a new problem, but I hope that if you were running the Aggressive map that you were at least putting 93 octance in your tank... And do you have any other mods on the car?

No other mods and yes I was using 93 octane.

[benzy89]

Sounds like you need to make a service appointment & hope that its just a sensor. I'd also recommend that if you're going to keep putting your car on a track that you make some supporting mods -- upgrade your intake & your FMIC to increase your airflow and cooling. You're putting a lot of stress on the car if you're tracking an auto-trans (not the DCT trans either) car with just a tune & nothing else.

[snkeyez95]

Got my car back today and BMW replaced the Vanos solenoids. Before I reinstalled I noticed two codes. H2A87 and H3100. All my searches came up empty on what the code is. Any thoughts?

[Snow King]

Originally Posted by snkeyez95

Got my car back today and BMW replaced the Vanos solenoids. Before I reinstalled I noticed two codes. H2A87 and H3100. All my searches came up empty on what the code is. Any thoughts?

Yup, 2A87 is the exhaust VANOS code. I had the same thing happen with or without a tune after a few minutes of hard driving. Took it for an oil change the other day and they ended up replaced both VANOS solenoids after checking codes. Everything seems to be running well now no codes thrown yet.

Do a search, seems to be a common issue actually. Many have also solved the issue by cleaning the solenoids with compressed air. Lucky mine was fully covered under my platinum extended warranty

Edit: They may have forgotten to clear the codes after replacing the solenoids, my best guess. Clear them and drive hard to see if it shows up again.

[marv85]

Originally Posted by snkeyez95

Got my car back today and BMW replaced the Vanos solenoids. Before I reinstalled I noticed two codes. H2A87 and H3100. All my searches came up empty on what the code is. Any thoughts?

Like Snow King said...

About your search coming out empty, when you get codes that start with H, take the H out and search

[woptang22]

I had the same vanos code P2A87 I believe it is. I cleared the code and it hasnt come back since. I didnt replace or clean the vanos solenoids. So hopefully they are ok. I have like 37,300 miles on my car and Im guessing parts will start to wear, especially with a tune installed.