[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Mike K

Run your Vin on the BMW recall site. My 2011 e91 showed 0 recalls two days back, but the new recall showed up last night.

But I fixed it two years ago. Here’s my Vanos saga:


https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ight=whistling

This is great news! My 2011 e91 was skipped in the original recall, which always seemed like complete and utter BS. Only 52K on it, but it's one of those things that made me a little nervous as the years went by. And I just checked, it shows up for me too!

Asleep for the Maine winter, but I'll have it done when she goes in for annual inspection next summer.

Down here in Florida, I need to get my 128i in for the PCV heater recall. The dealer is annoyingly distant, so I have been putting it off. I have a couple weeks vacation at the top of the year, probably should make an appointment now so good that this has been brought to top of my mind. Already had it done on my 328i in Maine, during last year's inspection.

[krhodes1]

Out of curiosity, when they do this recall on a 13yo car (by the time I have the recall done next summer), do they replace the valve cover gasket, or just slap it back on there and hope for the best? No evidence of leaking on my car yet, but it's only a matter of time and disturbing it is unlikely to make that time *shorter*.

Interestingly, the linked CR article about the recall says "3-series sedans, coupes, and convertibles" but does not mention the wagons. But two of us on this thread can see on BMW's site that our e91s are covered. No respect for the best version of the 3-series as usual.

[Anthonee92]

Just checked the recall page and my 13 328i isn’t showing anything other than the PCV recall. The recall statement claims models from 2010 - 2013.

Any insight would be much appreciated

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Anthonee92

Just checked the recall page and my 13 328i isn’t showing anything other than the PCV recall. The recall statement claims models from 2010 - 2013.

Any insight would be much appreciated

What's your build date? Recall is for vehicles built between 09/02/09 to 07/12/12.

[Anthonee92]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

What's your build date? Recall is for vehicles built between 09/02/09 to 07/12/12.

M decoder tells me it was built 2012-09-19.

does this make me un eligible for the recall or since it’s after the recall date are my vanos bolts safe as is or are they still gonna potentially be prone to some damage?

[KKevin]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Out of curiosity, when they do this recall on a 13yo car (by the time I have the recall done next summer), do they replace the valve cover gasket, or just slap it back on there and hope for the best?

Im curious about this as well. They may offer a fee to place a new one. Since it will have to be opened anyways you may save some cost maybe. (Dealership prices are terrifying)

Not sure how the bill breakdown fee will look like since this can be done together

[lordnikon]

Originally Posted by KKevin

Im curious about this as well. They may offer a fee to place a new one. Since it will have to be opened anyways you may some cost maybe. (Dealership prices are terrifying)

Not sure how the bill breakdown fee will look like since this can be done together

It'll be awesome if they do the recall and also agree to replace the VCG and you only pay for the gasket itself and not the labour because the recall is free lol.

[4 Doors]

Originally Posted by lordnikon

It'll be awesome if they do the recall and also agree to replace the VCG and you only pay for the gasket itself and not the labour because the recall is free lol.

They “should” replace the valve cover gasket upon opening it and replacing the VANOS bolts. But you know, they may not…

[Subydayo]

Originally Posted by 4 Doors

They “should” replace the valve cover gasket upon opening it and replacing the VANOS bolts. But you know, they may not…

I think apart of the 10-year warranty mandated replacing the camshaft gears if any bolts were loose, and they should also be opening the oil pan to look for any sheared bolts.

I just had the bolts replaced back in the spring, and it was because I had to... I didn't go into the oil pan to find them so I'm wondering if this will be in the solution. On the NHTSA website it says the recall is incomplete and "remedy not yet available," though it does say "replace the 4 bolts... should take 4 hours..." I have a 2011 X3 28i with the N52.

I just don't understand how replacing the 4 bolts and wiping your hands is a solution. The camshafts could be out of time, bolts could be sheared and in the engine or oil pan. They have to take the valve cover off which typically means a new valve cover...

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Subydayo

I think apart of the 10-year warranty mandated replacing the camshaft gears if any bolts were loose, and they should also be opening the oil pan to look for any sheared bolts.

I just had the bolts replaced back in the spring, and it was because I had to... I didn't go into the oil pan to find them so I'm wondering if this will be in the solution. On the NHTSA website it says the recall is incomplete and "remedy not yet available," though it does say "replace the 4 bolts... should take 4 hours..." I have a 2011 X3 28i with the N52.

I just don't understand how replacing the 4 bolts and wiping your hands is a solution. The camshafts could be out of time, bolts could be sheared and in the engine or oil pan. They have to take the valve cover off which typically means a new valve cover...

The default is if the bolts are there and they are intact, they just replace them with the updated bolts. But at least the last time around, if they were any missing they dropped the pan to get the remains out, and I would assume that will be the same this time.

As long as one-ish bolt is still there, the cam won't be out of time, but missing and loose bolts CAN damage the gears, hence the replacement if necessary.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by 4 Doors

They “should” replace the valve cover gasket upon opening it and replacing the VANOS bolts. But you know, they may not…

I for sure will be asking some pointed questions. I have a good relationship with my dealer having bought the car new there and taken it in every year for state inspection. And all the previous recalls. And they know I am a fussy SOB when it comes to that car.

Disturbing and reusing a 13yo gasket that is known for failure is not acceptable in any way. I have to think it is the consistency of glass at this point, if the OFHG is any indicator. That wasn't quite leaking when I replaced it, but it was starting to weep and it was only a matter of time.

[Mike K]

I think I’ll sit tight and wait for the mailed recall. Then I’ll call BMW where I already have a case file opened from the Vanos bolt failures two year back which I repaired myself along with a new valve cover, ESS, coils, plugs etc. I told them then that I was going to NHTSA with this recall oversight and many folks on my youtube filed complaints as well.

And no, I didn’t yank the oil pan. I’m sure I have a couple faulty bolt remnants lurking in the deep crevices down there. If the recall shot me some compensation or had my pan removed, bolt remnants removed, and freshly gasketed I’d be thrilled. But I’m not holding my breath here.

I’ll keep tabs on what course of action others take in the meantime. This will be an important thread!

[4 Doors]

I can definitely see some dealers potentially replacing the oil pan gasket after checking it on a RWD car.

But then I can also see some dealers opening the valve cover on an xDrive E9X, seeing bolts sheared off, and deciding to not pull the oil pan and check because…xDrive. Then telling the owner the bolts were not sheared off and all intact, but they replaced them, no need to check oil pan.

I had my VANOS bolts replaced on my E91 not too long ago. But if my dealer decided they would be willing to pull the oil pan either way, and replace the gasket, I would say “Yes” 👍🏼 But I have a feeling they won’t when they see they are already replaced. Which makes me think why even go in and have them mess something up.

[KKevin]

Would the oil pan need to be removed as well? Mines is xdrive.

Sorry asking cause i'll definitely ask about gasket replacements. I wanna get a list down.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Anthonee92

M decoder tells me it was built 2012-09-19.

does this make me un eligible for the recall or since it’s after the recall date are my vanos bolts safe as is or are they still gonna potentially be prone to some damage?

Wow, you beat it by 10 days!!!

[mct128i]

Back in 2014 there was a Service Information Bulletin (SIB 11 07 14) that describes the process for "certain" N51 and N52 powered vehicles produced from 9/2009 to 11/2011.

That bulletin lists the valve cover gasket in addition to the bolts that needed to be replaced as required parts. If bolts were found to be missing or the heads broken off then it stated that the entire Vanos unit should be replaced and the missing bolts/heads had to be found and removed - including oil pan removal if necessary.

Since the 2014 recall covered only a limited segment of vehicles with these engines, it seems likely that the process will be the same for the new recall - presumably this is covering either a wider or the remaining population of vehicles with these engines.

[KKevin]

Originally Posted by mct128i

Back in 2014 there was a Service Information Bulletin (SIB 11 07 14) that describes the process for "certain" N51 and N52 powered vehicles produced from 9/2009 to 11/2011.

That bulletin lists the valve cover gasket in addition to the bolts that needed to be replaced as required parts. If bolts were found to be missing or the heads broken off then it stated that the entire Vanos unit should be replaced and the missing bolts/heads had to be found and removed - including oil pan removal if necessary.

Since the 2014 recall covered only a limited segment of vehicles with these engines, it seems likely that the process will be the same for the new recall - presumably this is covering either a wider or the remaining population of vehicles with these engines.

Great post @[mct128i] I see here on the attachment that the profile seal is included in the repair.

As for the removal of the oil pan. I dont see any parts for replacement on it.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

So odd how this issue is still going on and N54 aren't affected. I guess the bolt design or something is different from N54? I see N54 has 6 bolts instead of the 4 on other models.

[mct128i]

Originally Posted by KKevin

Great post @[mct128i] I see here on the attachment that the profile seal is included in the repair.

As for the removal of the oil pan. I dont see any parts for replacement on it.

@ KKevin - credit should go to Mike K, I learned a great deal (and found the SIB) from his 2021 thread that is linked above.

[KKevin]

Cheers @ Mike K!

[sowbmw]

I have a 2011 e92 and still no recall notice. Do you trust the dealer enough to do this job properly?

[KKevin]

Originally Posted by sowbmw

I have a 2011 e92 and still no recall notice. Do you trust the dealer enough to do this job properly?

I've been watching (+55minute) videos on how to replace an oil pan gasket. And wow! This whole subframe drop and steps to remove the oil pan is crazy!

Im 80% confident BMW techs are good enough to work on the E90 platform in 2023...