[Bmw1939]

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?

That's kind of the problem. I don't really trust those guys, but I don't want to do the job.

[Cpet]

I have an appointment for an oil pan gasket replacement next month at my independent shop. Is there any chance a bolt could be sheared off and exhibit no symptoms? My VC was off a few months ago for an ESS replacement by the same shop and they didn't say anything about the bolts. Hate to pay for the OPG replacement if there are broken bolt heads, and the dealer would take care of the replacement under the recall.

Know this isn't that common of a failure, but also would suck if the bolts break after doing the OPG and before having the recall addressed.

Valve cover gaskets shouldn't ever be reused, so they better be replacing that.

[StradaRedlands]

Cpet Would be great if your dealer could do the recall first and see if there is a problem. Probably a small chance of a bolt sheared off, but it's possible.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Cpet Would be great if your dealer could do the recall first and see if there is a problem. Probably a small chance of a bolt sheared off, but it's possible.

Exactly- if there’s even a chance BMW will foot the bill, why pay first? How badly is your OPG leaking?

[Mike K]

You can scope the Vanos bolts through the oil filler with a common USB inspection camera. Rotate the crank with a socket wrench, and see if the Vanos bolts are all there. 4 each on the back of the intake and exhaust Vanos units. The exhaust ones typically fail first but they all need replacement according to the RCRIT procedure.

Also, the faulty torx bolts have a center security pin. The replacement bolts are just normal torx bolts.

[Cpet]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

Exactly- if there’s even a chance BMW will foot the bill, why pay first? How badly is your OPG leaking?

OPG isn't horrible, been leaking for years and leaves a drop when I park. However, my tie rod ends seized, messed up the alignment, and the tires are wearing unevenly causing annoying road noise. So going to do everything at once: OPG, motor mounts, tie rods, tires, and alignment.

[Cpet]

Originally Posted by Mike K

You can scope the Vanos bolts through the oil filler with a common USB inspection camera. Rotate the crank with a socket wrench, and see if the Vanos bolts are all there.

Good to know, thanks. The car only has 73k on it and runs like new. I'm guessing no issues. If I don't end up getting a camera, hopefully the dealership will be truthful if any are broken and drop the pan. However, would like to do the tires + OPG sooner than later, and who knows how long until the dealers are ready to perform the repair.

[krhodes1]

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?

Check your VIN at the NTSA website. My car came right up at subject to the recall.

I figure the dealer techs would have done a TON of these the last go-round, so should be plenty familiar with the process, and certainly R&R of valve covers has to be bread and butter for them, and that is most of the work here.

I mostly trust my dealer - they did a bit of shoddy warranty work in the beginning which I raised Hell about, every time they have touched the car since it has been done properly. I suspect there is a "note in my file' that this guy is a fussy bastard who WILL check your work, so unless you do it right the first time, you will get to do it again for free.

[krhodes1]

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.

Perfect! Thanks for digging this up - I agree, no reason they would re-invent the wheel here.

[eljay]

My car is 06/2009 production date and when I inquired with BMW Canada, I got this reply:

"While we understand your concerns, our system does not indicate that your vehicle's engine was affected by this recall. As previously advised, recalls provided by BMW Canada are Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)-specific and are based on factors such as production dates, part affected, etc. Therefore, not every vehicle of the same year and model will be subject to the same recall. We hope you find this information helpful."

Can any BMW insiders pshed some light on the Vanos bolts?
Was it just a certain batch for the specific production run and that is why 2006 - 08/2009 N52 is not affected?
I'd be happy with that confirmation.

[KKevin]

Originally Posted by eljay

My car is 06/2009 production date and when I inquired with BMW Canada, I got this reply:

Can any BMW insiders pshed some light on the Vanos bolts?
Was it just a certain batch for the specific production run and that is why 2006 - 08/2009 N52 is not affected?
I'd be happy with that confirmation.

Definitely has something to do with the E90 going on its LCI stage with 2009-2012 models.

[lordnikon]

I think BMW Canada's database is either not up to date or bullshit because it doesn't correspond to Transport Canada's info on the recall that says 2011 vehicles - 3 series is included.

My car is MY2011 and it says there are 0 open recalls for my car.

[KKevin]

Originally Posted by lordnikon

I think BMW Canada's database is either not up to date or bullshit because it doesn't correspond to Transport Canada's info on the recall that says 2011 vehicles - 3 series is included.

My car is MY2011 and it says there are 0 open recalls for my car.

Its definitely here - For my fellow Canadians.

https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en...ll-2023568-bmw

Havent checked BMW Canada yet though

[lordnikon]

Originally Posted by lordnikon

I think BMW Canada's database is either not up to date or bullshit because it doesn't correspond to Transport Canada's info on the recall that says 2011 vehicles - 3 series is included.

My car is MY2011 and it says there are 0 open recalls for my car.

I checked again today and there is a recall on my car. I withdraw what I said earlier.

[jadams161]

Originally Posted by Mike K

Thanks for the heads up!

I recorded this youtube below imploring that this initial recall expand to e91s models that were left out of the original recall and extended warranty action. I also filed a complaint with the NHTSA and others did this too. Reaching out to BMW NA was not only a waste of time, but the “Genius” from BMW kept telling me that the recall didn’t apply because my N52 was actually a 4 cylinder engine! Huh?

As my faulty Vanos bolts failed several years back, I completed the repairs according to the BMW RCRIT procedure which cost time and money for a valve cover, ESS, special tools etc. Let alone the bad Vanos bolts that ended up in my oil pan. As others suggested, I kept track of costs and time.

Now I’m wondering if there will be any compensation for owners that had the faulty Vanos bolts repairs done at their own expense before this “better late than never” recall? That’s assuming the e91 from 09-13 were actually included.

good video but I was soooo distracted by the sludge buildup in the motor...gotta love 10k oil change intervals by BMW...

[jadams161]

Originally Posted by eljay

My car is 06/2009 production date and when I inquired with BMW Canada, I got this reply:

"While we understand your concerns, our system does not indicate that your vehicle's engine was affected by this recall. As previously advised, recalls provided by BMW Canada are Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)-specific and are based on factors such as production dates, part affected, etc. Therefore, not every vehicle of the same year and model will be subject to the same recall. We hope you find this information helpful."

Can any BMW insiders pshed some light on the Vanos bolts?
Was it just a certain batch for the specific production run and that is why 2006 - 08/2009 N52 is not affected?
I'd be happy with that confirmation.

If it were my car I would remove the valve cover to check the bolts. I know its a pain but well worth it to verify and maybe even change the bolts if it can be done without special tools.

My 2011 N51 328xi is covered by the recall. it was done in the 2010 recall too.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Mike K

You can scope the Vanos bolts through the oil filler with a common USB inspection camera. Rotate the crank with a socket wrench, and see if the Vanos bolts are all there. 4 each on the back of the intake and exhaust Vanos units...

Hi Mike,
Since my 3/2007 N52K E91 was built BEFORE the earliest build date subject to Recall, I have NOT used my USB Endoscope to view VANOS bolts. I have several questions:

1) Can you see the Top-2 bolts on BOTH the Intake Cam & Exhaust Cam using scope? Some have reported (perhaps incorrectly ;-) being UNable to see one VANOS unit with scope.

2) Did you save image file (jpg, etc.) of Scope screen, and if so can you attach it?

3) What Make/Model Scope (USB I presume ;-) did you use?

4) I presume you can use that scope with either a laptop (USB A connector) or phone (USB C connector)?

I have a cheap Endoscope from Amazon (see link below) that has light but image definition is NOT the greatest. If we can exchange details to help folks be able to inspect in 5 minutes without removing VC, I'll take the time to save jpg ScreenPrints, and post here.
https://www.amazon.com/Seesi-Endosco...7&sr=8-10&th=1

ANYONE know if there is a NEW RCRIT, or if the one related to 14V-176 (attached) still applies? If new RCRIT, please attach pdf, or provide link.

Be aware that the attached RCRIT (pdf p.14) provides for VANOS Unit replacement if ANY of its 4 bolts is loose/broken:

"If any of the bolts were loose or broken during this procedure, the VANOS assembly will need to be replaced. Refer to step 14."

There is also provision in earlier RCRIT for finding broken bolts (pan removal if necessary). I don't recall seeing anything more than BOLT replacement mentioned in new Recall documents appearing thus far. ANYONE having recall performed SHOULD request copy of BMW's recall procedure, and ask what was actually DONE.

The Devil is in the DETAILS,
George

[Mike K]

Hi George,
I always appreciate your valuable input to this group and you really helped me through this a couple of years back. At that time, I pulled my VC so I didn't need to scope it.

But it seemed to me then that you could scope in through the oil fill and at least see if a given Torx Vanos bolt has the center security pin which would indicate the presence of faulty bolts. The replacement bolts are just normal Torx bolts.

I don't know of a new RCRIT as I used the one you had supplied back then.

I'm awaiting the mailed recall so I can plan my next move as I completed the repairs a few years back.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by jadams161

good video but I was soooo distracted by the sludge buildup in the motor...gotta love 10k oil change intervals by BMW...

Thanks for your concern. My Vanos bolts failed right after I purchased up my rust free e91 from South Carolina a few years back. They have Georgia red dust there btw..

Since then, I have done 3750 mile oil changes with Liqi Moly engine flushes each time which has greatly reduced that sludge seen on my old youtube. The car runs silky smooth now.

We all know that the typical DPAs are just that; "Damned Previous Owners!"

[lordnikon]

So the previous owner of my car had the timing chain and guides replaced at an indy mech. What are the chances that the vanos bolts were replaced? I don't have the service records for it but I found the info from Carfax.

Reason I ask is, if it's possible that the bolts were replaced, I would not have to do the recall at a BMW dealership.

[Subydayo]

Originally Posted by lordnikon

So the previous owner of my car had the timing chain and guides replaced at an indy mech. What are the chances that the vanos bolts were replaced? I don't have the service records for it but I found the info from Carfax.

Reason I ask is, if it's possible that the bolts were replaced, I would not have to do the recall at a BMW dealership.

Without seeing the letter that's supposed to mail out on the 14th, it seems like BMW must look to see if it's done and give the stamp of approval.

[Jimmy_F10]

I own a 2010 F10 528i with N52 from Australia and I have received the recall for the VANOS bolts.

Unfortunately, 4x bolts already failed 2 years ago so I went ahead and replaced all 8 of them myself with the updated part.

I've still booked the recall in with BMW but have not yet disclosed to them that they have already been replaced as they failed previously.

While I am not too concerned about being reimbursed for the bolts and VCG (although it would be nice), I have always been concerned about the 4x missing bolt heads that were never retrieved from the motor. Fortunately, the engine has lasted up until this point however is it worth having a discussion with the technician regarding the retrieval of the bolt heads?

I assume they will not want to go through this process, although I do have photos of the broken bolts.

Do you think once I disclose they've already been replaced, they won't want to take on the job at all?