Cleaning vanos solenoids?

Dustz · 03-17-2014, 12:46 PM

Hey I was wondering how everyone on here cleans their vanos solenoids? I know that brake cleaner and compressed air should be used but how about do I go after I acquire these tools. Correct me if I am wrong. Remove vanos solenoids, spray the brake cleaner through the holes of the vanos solenoids? Then let them drip dry/air dry? How long should I wait before I put them back in.

AlpineSwift · 03-17-2014, 12:51 PM

There's a write up on here about this:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486201

Jklad · 03-17-2014, 12:51 PM

I would just replace them both - if original they are bound to fail and eventually need replacement, and you can save yourself the of cleaning, swapping, and hoping it fixes it.

Bluesnake01 · 03-17-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

I would just replace them both - if original they are bound to fail and eventually need replacement, and you can save yourself the of cleaning, swapping, and hoping it fixes it.

Why spend $200+ when the "fix" can be done for under $5.
It takes less than 20 min to take them, out clean them, and swap them…...
Sometimes they're not bad and last a nice margin again after cleaning them. Mine were filled with oil and cleaning them restore the car back to being smooth.

Dustz · 03-17-2014, 02:10 PM

I understand there is a diy on how to replace but not necessarily clean them. Unless its diginified on a certain page of the diy?

cleex024 · 03-17-2014, 02:41 PM

ive tried cleaning them before and have done it at least 3 times...but the light always comes on after about 1k miles of driving after cleaning. decided to replace them and the light hasnt come back on...its been a year.

Dustz · 03-17-2014, 02:47 PM

Did the light come on after 1k mile at wot? Or normal throttle @cleex024

cleex024 · 03-17-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustz

Did the light come on after 1k mile at wot? Or normal throttle @cleex024

it just comes back up whether i wot it or just normal driving.

HighPSI · 03-17-2014, 04:00 PM

What is the error code when the Vanos are done?

Bluesnake01 · 03-17-2014, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustz

I understand there is a diy on how to replace but not necessarily clean them. Unless its diginified on a certain page of the diy?

Read the comments…… its very simple/easy
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486201

Quote:

UPDATED 6/14/11 - TIPS from other DIYers:
1. Instead of replacing w/ a new solenoid, try cleaning the solenoid w/ compressed air first.

Quote:

I also used csc electronics cleaner with the a can of compressed air to clean instead of replacing the part. So far so good on the acceleration, no limp mode, codes, or hesitation.

Quote:

Followed this DIY cleaned both solenoids with carb cleaner and compressed air, also cleaned the contacts with contact cleaner. Needless to say the problem is gone.

Numerous ways to clean them. Once you do that, switch the intake one with the other, they're the same exact solenoid so it wont be a problem if you switch them.
This is NOT a fix for everyone but its worth a shot.

Indo Rider · 03-17-2014, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluesnake01

Why spend $200+ when the "fix" can be done for under $5.
It takes less than 20 min to take them, out clean them, and swap them…...
Sometimes they're not bad and last a nice margin again after cleaning them. Mine were filled with oil and cleaning them restore the car back to being smooth.

Because in most threads where people actually follow-up a few thousand miles later they report that the fault codes had returned. Having oil in them is normal... the function of these solenoids is to allow (or not allow depending of the position of the piston) oil pressure to effect cam timing. I'd say it's pretty well documented that these parts wear out. Same goes for the boost control solenoids that regulate vacuum to the turbo wastegate actuators. I'm under the impression that folks using longer OCIs have more problems with their vanos solenoids, and maybe for those folks the cleaning is a temp fix. Cleaning and swapping mine made zero difference. Replaced them and no vanos codes for about 25K miles now.

Indo Rider · 03-17-2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighPSI

What is the error code when the Vanos are done?

2A82 on intake side
2A87 on exhaust side

Dustz · 03-18-2014, 12:41 AM

Should I use MAF or brake cleaner to clean out the solenoids?

03-17-2014, 12:46 PM	#1
Dustz Chieftain 54 Rep 274 Posts Drives: E90 N54 335i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW F13 640i [0.00]	Cleaning vanos solenoids? Hey I was wondering how everyone on here cleans their vanos solenoids? I know that brake cleaner and compressed air should be used but how about do I go after I acquire these tools. Correct me if I am wrong. Remove vanos solenoids, spray the brake cleaner through the holes of the vanos solenoids? Then let them drip dry/air dry? How long should I wait before I put them back in. __________________ Got Boost? 2014 650xi F06 - Carbon Black 2015 640i F13 - Alpine White 2007 335i E90 JB4/HPF Gen 2 - Jet Black-Retired
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03-17-2014, 12:51 PM	#2
AlpineSwift Colonel 78 Rep 2,114 Posts Drives: 2008 335Xi Coupé Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Castle Rock, CO iTrader: (3)	There's a write up on here about this: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486201 __________________ E92 '08 335Xi 6AT - Cobb AP3 Tuned by MAC Autosport, Original Prototype Xi DOCRace 6266 Single Turbo Swap, VRSF CP w/Synapse BOV, VRSF 7" FMIC, BMS Cowl, H&R Coilovers, Renn Motorsport RS-51's, Stoptech Stage 2 Slotted, xHP Stage 3, Earl's Racing Oil Cooler, Turner Boost Gauge, M3 Lip Spoiler. Standing Mile Record Holder for Xi over a mile high: 168.2MPH @ 5512'; The Colorado Mile hosted by The US Mile.
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03-17-2014, 12:51 PM	#3
Jklad Lieutenant Colonel 422 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Palatine, IL iTrader: (0)	I would just replace them both - if original they are bound to fail and eventually need replacement, and you can save yourself the of cleaning, swapping, and hoping it fixes it. __________________ 2007 E92 335i MT
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03-17-2014, 02:10 PM	#5
Dustz Chieftain 54 Rep 274 Posts Drives: E90 N54 335i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW F13 640i [0.00]	I understand there is a diy on how to replace but not necessarily clean them. Unless its diginified on a certain page of the diy?
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03-17-2014, 02:41 PM	#6
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 108 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	ive tried cleaning them before and have done it at least 3 times...but the light always comes on after about 1k miles of driving after cleaning. decided to replace them and the light hasnt come back on...its been a year. __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
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03-17-2014, 02:47 PM	#7
Dustz Chieftain 54 Rep 274 Posts Drives: E90 N54 335i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW F13 640i [0.00]	Did the light come on after 1k mile at wot? Or normal throttle @cleex024
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03-17-2014, 04:00 PM	#9
HighPSI Banned 9 Rep 280 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	What is the error code when the Vanos are done?
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03-18-2014, 12:41 AM	#13
Dustz Chieftain 54 Rep 274 Posts Drives: E90 N54 335i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW F13 640i [0.00]	Should I use MAF or brake cleaner to clean out the solenoids?
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