Any advice on getting stuck vanos solenoids out?

billabong02 · 07-05-2022, 01:55 PM

Hi,

I wanna get my vanos solenoids a good clean but can't seem to get them out. They've likely never come out since the car was new so there stuck in pretty good. I'm able to slightly rotate them left and right but can't get any kind of leverage to pull them out with anything. There's hardly anything to grab onto, It's a really stupid design on the N43 (Other engines have a little brace that makes it easier). Even tried warming up the engine a little bit to get the oil circulating but to no avail.

I don't wanna have to go to a garage for this. Some help on this incredibly annoying issue would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

jwilalex · 07-05-2022, 02:54 PM

If they rotate then luckily they’re not seized in there. They have a couple of rubber o rings on the inside so they do put up a bit of resistance when pulling out. OE seals are green in colour and only cost a couple of quid from dealers. Make sure both come out with the solenoid. Quite often the larger one remains just inside the block, the smaller one (if memory serves right) normally stays on.

Wiggle and pull, they will release.

billabong02 · 07-06-2022, 01:33 PM

Hi jwillalex, they're still not coming out. They rotate a bit but only with force, not easily. They rotate only a fraction, not enough to wiggle them out. It's pretty frustrating.

billabong02 · 07-06-2022, 01:40 PM

The other thing I'm considering which may be dangerous is to attempt removing them when the engine is fully warm...need to do a bit more research about whether or not that's a good idea

07-05-2022, 01:55 PM	#1
billabong02 Private First Class 8 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2017 BWM 6 Series F06 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Any advice on getting stuck vanos solenoids out? \| E90 320i Hi, I wanna get my vanos solenoids a good clean but can't seem to get them out. They've likely never come out since the car was new so there stuck in pretty good. I'm able to slightly rotate them left and right but can't get any kind of leverage to pull them out with anything. There's hardly anything to grab onto, It's a really stupid design on the N43 (Other engines have a little brace that makes it easier). Even tried warming up the engine a little bit to get the oil circulating but to no avail. I don't wanna have to go to a garage for this. Some help on this incredibly annoying issue would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
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07-05-2022, 02:54 PM	#2
jwilalex Private First Class 34 Rep 128 Posts Drives: E90 318i LCI SE Business Edn Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	If they rotate then luckily they’re not seized in there. They have a couple of rubber o rings on the inside so they do put up a bit of resistance when pulling out. OE seals are green in colour and only cost a couple of quid from dealers. Make sure both come out with the solenoid. Quite often the larger one remains just inside the block, the smaller one (if memory serves right) normally stays on. Wiggle and pull, they will release. Attached Images
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07-06-2022, 01:33 PM	#3
billabong02 Private First Class 8 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2017 BWM 6 Series F06 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Hi jwillalex, they're still not coming out. They rotate a bit but only with force, not easily. They rotate only a fraction, not enough to wiggle them out. It's pretty frustrating.
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07-06-2022, 01:40 PM	#4
billabong02 Private First Class 8 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2017 BWM 6 Series F06 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	The other thing I'm considering which may be dangerous is to attempt removing them when the engine is fully warm...need to do a bit more research about whether or not that's a good idea
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