[Ryan727]

So I went to a BMW-specialty mechanic today for some ABS reading. Decided to chat him up and ended up getting him to run full diagnostics on my '07 328i. Currently no CEL on the vehicle, but he's pulling some other DTCs related to timing issues. I wanted to check with this forum to see if he's working me, or if there's validity to his findings.

I'm going off memory here, wasn't able to sneak a photo of these DTCs..

He's saying that there is a bolt holding a timing gear that starts to stretch out, and the engine can possibly lose/slip timing. He's saying mine is present, and seems to be early, but could be a ticking time bomb if not taken care of quickly. This bolt he speaks of often snaps and gets stuck in the cam. Of course, if he's going to go in there, he would also take care of timing chain and whatnot, so he can 'warrant the work.'

Just want to get a general feel out here for if this is a critical issue with the N52 engines, or is he full of it? Or is it something 'relatively' easy to take care of on my own over the weekend? Need to get in there for a new valve cover gasket anyways, so how should I proceed?

[ctuna]

There is a recall on some of these motors for bolts on the timing gear
near the front of the Motor . I believe it's the VAnos Bolt Recall this may be free to you if it's one of the affected cars. Check the BMW recall list and look for threads on the Vanos bolt recall here.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ght=Vanos+bolt

Use Vanos bolt in the search window for more results.

[3PedalJake]

It is true certain production dates had an issue with the bolts on the VANOS gears. It was subject to several recalls, the latest has a thread still on the first page here on the forum. I would check BMW open recall site and see if there's a recall on it. If not it was either not subject to the recall or it was already done. The part when not subject to the recall isn't a wear item or something that needs to be replaced preemptively.

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by ctuna

There is a recall on some of these motors for bolts on the timing gear
near the front of the Motor . I believe it's the VAnos Bolt Recall this may be free to you if it's one of the affected cars. Check the BMW recall list and look for threads on the Vanos bolt recall here.

We were typing the same words at the same time.

[gbalthrop]

Any large parts retailer, such as Advance Auto or AutoZone will read DME (Engine Control Module) Fault Codes FREE. Get codes read & post here. Either you misunderstood the "Mechanic" or he's telling you BS.

There are FOUR (4) small bolts holding the Sprocket, driven by timing chain, to the VANOS or Cam Timing Unit on each Cam. Those four bolts on each cam sprocket are the subject of a current Recall Campaign on models LATER than your 2007. Those bolts can have the heads broken off, or be loose. A $20 USB Endoscope can be inserted through the oil filler cap to observe the condition of the Intake Cam bolts. Exhaust Cam, MUCH more difficult. Your 2007 model is NOT subject to recall for those bolts.

If there is NO SES (Service Engine Soon) light lit at top-right of Instrument Cluster, then you would NOT have any of the VANOS codes in DME Fault Memory, and there are MANY different codes for different VANOS Faults.

Post Codes HERE.
George