[jt86tn]

I've posted in the past about this and searched around everywhere trying to figure this out. I've been trying to solve a VANOS intake (2A82) issue for quite a while now and before I take the valve cover off and have a look inside I thought I would post once more for any possible suggestions of what I can try. The car is a 2011 335is with 104k miles. It throws the code and goes into limp mode when it happens which is almost every time I drive it. Sometimes it will go a day or two and be fine but for the most part it's pretty persistent. Something odd that I've noticed is it will happen at certain specific places during my daily commute. There are three different spots on my way to work that it happens. For example, there is stop sign where it happens as I'm accelerating from a stop, as I'm turning to get on the on ramp for the interstate and another spot is as I am turning onto another road and accelerating. There's also a spot as I'm going into town as I turn off of my road and begin accelerating onto the highway. It's always at low RPM's as I'm accelerating and always happens as the car is shifting or about to shift either between first and second gear or between second and third gear. I don't know if this is all relevant but thought I would include as much detail as possible. So far I have replaced the VANOS intake solenoid with a brand new OEM one, checked and confirmed that my oil cap was good, replaced both check valves (which BTW were very clean, no residue or metal flakes) and replaced the camshaft position sensor for the intake side. I use OEM oil filters and the blue bottle luquimolly 5w-40 oil and I don't have any metal flakes in my oil. Any help, suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Hey funny reading this as I just went through a similar issue/diagnostic and I'd say your case is the same. The only thing left for you to check are the cam bearing ledges for grooving part of the diagnosis.

My code would also pop in a very similar fashion as I accelerated, always around the 3000RPM which is when the intake VANOS activates I guess.

Here's my post finding the issue and another link to another forum where a member confirmed me this was most likely my issue as well.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1916575
https://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67626



Also here is the BMW technical bulletin about this issue

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...32779-8218.pdf


If you search BMW N54 cam bearing ledge issue you will find more information as well. Although originally the issue had started because the camshaft used metal seals which dug into the metal but those were updated to a plastic seal and the 335is should have those. I was reading how the plastic seals avoids this but since it happened to my car, and potentially yours reading this, I guess it did not resolve it really and more 335is specefically might pop with this issue.

[jt86tn]

Yeah that is my fear that it may be the issue even though I've read where it's pretty rare so I was holding out hope that it was something else and thought I would ask if there's anything else I should/could try before pulling the valve cover. Did you do the job yourself?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by jt86tn

Yeah that is my fear that it may be the issue even though I've read where it's pretty rare so I was holding out hope that it was something else and thought I would ask if there's anything else I should/could try before pulling the valve cover. Did you do the job yourself?

Yes I'm currently doing the job. I'm waiting on parts to re-assemble everything.

[jt86tn]

How much did it run you for everything you need? I'll just need the intake side.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by jt86tn

How much did it run you for everything you need? I'll just need the intake side.

I'm also just doing intake side although I saw the exhaust had similar grooving, I expect to need a exhaust in the future.

I bought the ledge for 575$ and a few more $ for seals and bolts. I also got timing tools and a digital angle torque wrench for this job and future engine work so there's that to.

[Mustafa.e92]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I'm also just doing intake side although I saw the exhaust had similar grooving, I expect to need a exhaust in the future.

I bought the ledge for 575$ and a few more $ for seals and bolts. I also got timing tools and a digital angle torque wrench for this job and future engine work so there's that to.

What torque wrench did you get and how do you like it. I've been needing to get a new digital torque wrench but snap on is almost a grand.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Mustafa.e92

What torque wrench did you get and how do you like it. I've been needing to get a new digital torque wrench but snap on is almost a grand.

Yeah had a hard time finding something that was accurate and not to expensive within the torque specs I needed (8nm). I ended up with a 1/4 AC Delco angle on Amazon. It feels pretty nice and all.

That said, I might return it and exchange for a 3/8 since I can't angle torque the 20nm + 180 degrees camshaft bolt because you can't go over the torque limit or else it's bad for calibration. The 1/4 wrench max torque is 30nm. I compared to my 1/4 click wrench and it's accurate so I'll use that for the initial torque.