Workshop Journal: Sam’s E46 M3 Vanos Repair (Performance BMW Magazine)
Earlier in the year we had the privilege of carrying out a Vanos overhaul on Sam Ratcliffe’s E46 M3, as featured as our home page image. Sam’s car was displaying fault codes consistent with a solenoid coil pack failure, but having had that repaired previously himself, he was confident that it was an internal Vanos fault. He checked under the rocker cover and found that it looked like the oil pump driving tabs on the front of the exhaust cam had snapped off – as he was understandably not keen to drive the car any further, a mobile repair was arranged.
Sure enough, on disassembly, it became clear that the renowned oil pump disc failure had occurred. A repair was carried out, featuring the following parts:
- Beisan Systems BS021 Vanos Seals Repair Kit
- Beisan Systems BS023 Rebuild Vanos Solenoid Coil Pack
- Beisan Systems BS024 Vanos Sealing Plate Seals Repair Kit
- Hack Engineering Machined Oil Pump Disc & second hand oil pump drive
- S54 Cam Sprocket Hub Bolts
- S54 Updated Cam Sprocket Sleeve Bolts
- S54 Updated Vanos Solenoid Pack Securing Bolts
- S54 Rocker Cover Gasket
- S54 Vanos Gasket
- S54 Vanos Microfilter Cartridge
- S54 Vanos Oil Accumulator Pipe Crush Washers
- S54 Rocker Cover Oil Drain Pipe Crush Washers
- S54 Rocker Cover Stud Grommets
Once complete, Sam reported a far stronger feeling engine, with no more fault codes or engine check lights. Another happy customer.
Quotes:
‘I exchanged a few conversations with Hack Engineering, who offer Vanos repair kits and labour. This being a job I didn’t want to tackle on my own I booked in with Ben for a basic Hack Engineering Vanos overhaul.
…’It just shows that the Hack Vanos overhaul is worth doing even if you think you don’t have a problem.’
