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VANOS Help Needed

2K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  boostmiser 
#1 ·
I have a 2000 m5 and recently replaced my clutch, rms, all 4 cam position sensors, valve covers and plugs. When I fired up the car after this, it idled rough and threw P0012 - Camshaft A, Bank 1 over retarded. Tried driving it to see if that fixed it, lots of misfires. Took it to my local indy - he said both VANOS units failed the test and it was actually throwing codes for VANOS bank 1 intake + exhaust and VANOS bank 2 exhaust. However, the PO had dr VANOS do the works: gears, rebuild, new covers, noids around 70k miles (has 105k now). My indy thinks that somehow I jumped timing because it wouldn't even do the full test which he thinks is either related to the VANOS gears breaking (happens alot on e46 m3?) or timing guide or tensioner is messed up and slipped. This makes more sense then both vanos failing at the same time.

Before I take the valve covers off, again, does anyone have another theory?
 
#2 · (Edited)
Nothing you did should result in the running behavior described on both banks. Are you sure you plugged the new CPS in correctly?
 
#4 ·
Broken vanos gears?....... No.

The VANOS test not fully completing is a common thing and doesn't by itself mean you have some serious component failure. Just that one part of the test was out of range so it stopped testing.

Almost certainly this has to do with the work just done..... as mentioned probably CMPS.

Get another look from a recommended tech in your area.
 
#8 ·
You may have a case of bad original CMPSs disguising VANOS problems until the new ones were installed. That has been seen on here before.

But first of all, you need to ask your Indy if these codes are fresh, i.e active. If they are, you need to ask him why you are getting code 0A. That one only comes in if the DME can't communicate with the new B1 exhaust CPS. It indicates a wiring problem or a bad new CMPS.

In the process of troubleshooting that one, he may discover some installation problem with all of them.

His suggestion of broken VANOS gears means he is out of his depth or brushing you off.
 
#15 ·
That was quick work!

The warm-up misfire codes on B1 are probably caused by the B8 code. The fact you also have misfires on B2 indicates you probably still have VANOS problems on that bank, just not quite bad enough to set a code yet.

The B8 code sets because the DME is telling the 2 solenoids that control the B1 intake cam timing to move the cam to a certain position, but the CPS is telling the DME the cam is not going where it is supposed to. The usual cause is plugged or leaking solenoids. So the next step is to pull the solenoids and do the usual mtce: resistance checks, soldering, brake cleaner/compressed air cleaning with 9V battery, new o-rings, etc. I think there are some good threads in the DIY.
 
#16 ·
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