Survey of Vanos oil line failures (103 and counting...) - Recall now issued by BMWNA

[kees]

Several boardmembers have experienced Vanos oil line failures. Let's get a credible count of the problem before it starts to lead a life of its own. Please post only if your E60 M5 or E63 M6 has experienced unexpected oil loss leading to replacement of the Vanos oil line shown in this picture by boardmember 4rotor.

It might be useful to other members if you can post a brief description of the symptoms you experienced - which typically seem to be the loss of 1 liter of oil over several hunderd kilometer or finding a large puddle of oil under the car. Also - to confirm if a batch of faulty oil lines is to blame - it may be helpful to post the production date of your car.

Confirmed Vanos oil line failure:
1. easy_driver (Link)
2. 4rotor (Link) - Builddate Wk42/2005
3. mjoe (Link)
4. e6tme (Link) - Builddate Wk39/2005
5. Joys4me (Link)
6. M3Racer (Link)
7. Jon45 (Link)
8. WLightning
9. M7
10. Zapper
11. mjoines - Builddate Wk36/2005
12. RYAN17 - Builddate Wk38/2005
13. Iain Nunn (Link)
14. Webmastereuro - Builddate Wk42/2005
15. DonGargon - Builddate Wk36/2005
16. xavier (Link) - Builddate Wk39/2005
17. 5power (customer car)
18. nordickt
19. nightdiverbill - Builddate Wk42/2005
20. MRichmond - Builddate Wk40/2005
21. M-bitious (M6)
22. Filthy Monkey (M6) (Link)
23. henryd
24. Redstradic
25. Jessem
26. brucewil (Link) - Builddate Wk42/2005
27. stevea1962
28. ESPLASER (M6) (Link)
29. Oli - Builddate Wk44-45/2005
30. gpilot - Builddate Wk 43/2005
31. william996TT
32. N30EW
33. stephenaron (Link)
34. celsius
35. metalman
36. leviathen1 (M6) (Link)
37. Alex K.
38. Boston m57777 (Link)
39. Zonacat - Builddate Wk44/2005
40. MANNY
41. turton
42. smg111
43. Spiroman - Builddate Wk38/2005
44. outrageous
45. Jim Dolan
46. EBuyuk (Link) - Builddate Wk38/2005
47. Andybm5
48. funf_meister (Link) - Builddate Wk42/2005
49. samster (Link)
50. max_pellegrini (Link)
51. txalpina
52. tmacsilverm5
53. KahunaCanuck - Builddate Wk43/2005
54. mowblowgo
55. AUTOG4
56. skk100
57. markm (M6) (Link)
58. AE - Builddate Wk43/2005
59. AvusRS6 (Link)
60. neighbour of SCORPIO - username to be confirmed
61. mpierce222
62. mgmbh1
63. rayt - Builddate Wk47/2005
64. ten2go
65. Deanger
66. Doug Cavanaugh
67. e60beast - Builddate Wk40/2005
68. FastFive - Builddate Wk42/2005
69. Wolverine - Builddate Wk37/2005
70. Immune 1 - Builddate Wk44/2005
71. OLD SPEED LOVER (M6) (Link)
72. simonmorrison
73. CHARLIE60 - Builddate Wk43/2005
74. Badger69_2003 (Link)
75. cyyoung (Link)
76. jason449
77. silbergrauM5 (Link)
78. NosonyxM5
79. drd
80. Slag
81. Kona Jack - Builddate Wk44/2005
82. yevnyra
83. Bearfan - Builddate Wk46/2005
84. rodman31
85. patq
86. pnunley
87. Wang
88. jeffj996 - Builddate Wk 45/2005
89. BMWjunkie
90. thewb
91. limitup
92/93/94/95/96/97. 6 Performance Center cars (Link)
98. azwdct
99. dannamichael
100. Milly
101. paule
102. Alan - Builddate Wk 43/2005
103. 6speed (Link)

UPDATE: Until now, dealers have been replacing the failed hose with the exact same part. It now seems an updated part is available which should fix the problem. Make sure that your dealer replaces the failed hose with the new part.

Part # 11367835419 = OLD PART (now superseded in the BMW parts ordering system)
Part # 11367838670 = NEW PART (replaces the old part number)

A recall has now been issued by BMWNA to replace the VANOS oil lines for M5's in the range of VINs affected by this issue. Details can be found here:
VANOS Oil Line Replacement Service Bulletin

The VIN range of the recall is [581062 - 583155]

[4rotor]

Hi all,

Thought I would post the pic. here for reference.

Although not shown in the photo below, a large droplet of oil formed when the BMW Assist guy asked me to run the car for around 1 min. (on idle) - it appeared where the Red Arrow is in the picture below. We are not 100% sure that this is the VANOS line, but are fairly confident it is. Rest of my thread here as kees has linked (with pics. of oil everywhere under the car: Worrying Oil Consumption after first service? 0.8 to 0.3 in 2 days!

My tip - KEEP YOUR OIL LEVEL ALWAYS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH! it is a very handy feature.

[WLightning]

I'm not yet confirmed...

But I'm close.

Car not in my hands (so I can't see production date), but I took delivery ~Nov 16th.


WL

[BD 997]

this is gettin scary...I take delivery in January...hope BMW gets this straightened out by then if not...Do you think I can have service replace the hose b4 I pick it up??

[M7]

Add me to the list. I had the puddle of oil on the 18th...in my garage. Flat bed truck will be taking her away on Monday.

[Scooby M Cinco]

To Administrator: Is BMW aware of this problem? Our unofficial but worldwide member base may give an accurate repersentation of the suspect problem. If there is an inherent defect, couldn't BMW fix it on the assembly line before we have to do without the Beast?

Just a thought.

[Zapper]

I think I have to add myself to this sad list.

Came home tonight and noticed a trail of oil leading up to the car. Looked underneath and there is a huge oil spot. Calling the dealer tomorrow to get it town out. Hoped its something simple like a vanos line.

Sad...

[4rotor]

I phoned BMW UK - Customer Services this morning, of course they are not interested. They said that any issues like this are dealt with by the dealer and then the Techical Departments within BMW.

No help there then! but - to be expected I guess.

[Gustav]

Yes, I beleive so. I know members in Sweden have got some hoses near the oil pump changed.

Originally Posted by Scooby M Cinco

To Administrator: Is BMW aware of this problem? Our unofficial but worldwide member base may give an accurate repersentation of the suspect problem. If there is an inherent defect, couldn't BMW fix it on the assembly line before we have to do without the Beast?

Just a thought.

[mjoines]

Add me to the list. Week 36 production. ~1kmiles.