Vanos seals replacement

Posted in main forum as well.
It's been long overdue so, following the Beisan guide, started earlier. When I removed valve cover this is what I found.







It's a lot of old grease and crap. Is that normal? What's the best way to clean it all up.
Thanx.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Bimmer App

Not normal.

IMO, you're going to have to button the whole thing back up again, drain the oil and run some clean oil and an engine flush through and drain again. You'd need to do this until you get all that sludge out.

Originally Posted by Brissyjohn

Not normal.

IMO, you're going to have to button the whole thing back up again, drain the oil and run some clean oil and an engine flush through and drain again. You'd need to do this until you get all that sludge out.

Yeah I have my work cut out for me tomorrow. Will need to get some engine flush and cheapo oil. Would I be able to use a degreaser on it? I would imagine it would flush out as well?


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Bimmer App

Fill it with cheap oil and about half a can of sea foam. Drive 50 miles or so, then drain it while its still warm.

I swear by that stuff. Works great IMO.

I would not use degreaser.

Originally Posted by HBizzo88

Fill it with cheap oil and about half a can of sea foam. Drive 50 miles or so, then drain it while its still warm.

I swear by that stuff. Works great IMO.

Thanx

Originally Posted by Brissyjohn

I would not use degreaser.

no worries, thanx


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by rodsfromday

Thanx






no worries, thanx


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Bimmer App

Welcome, let me know how it goes!

Originally Posted by HBizzo88

Welcome, let me know how it goes!

Will do!!

I don't know about seafoam, Auto RX is probably a more suitable product.
Don't know about the availability in Australia, I think Sprintman used to be/have a connection to the distributor.

You've got me scared to take mine apart to do the seals now.... :/

Originally Posted by Jall

I don't know about seafoam, Auto RX is probably a more suitable product.
Don't know about the availability in Australia, I think Sprintman used to be/have a connection to the distributor.

You've got me scared to take mine apart to do the seals now.... :/

I will try the diesel route first and then take it from their.

If it needs to be done then it must be done!! I might even tackle the OFH gasket....

Concur with the above - engine flush + cheap oil until it starts looking clean again. I haven't used seafoam or Auto RX so I can't comment.

As for the VANOS, I'm tackling this early next year, time permitting. I would say that you should leave the OFHG for another time. Focus on getting this DIY right first without adding to potential complications.

If you were any closer I'd come in and give you a hand (more so to get a first hand sticky beak for myself! )

Good luck and keep us posted

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

Concur with the above - engine flush + cheap oil until it starts looking clean again. I haven't used seafoam or Auto RX so I can't comment.

As for the VANOS, I'm tackling this early next year, time permitting. I would say that you should leave the OFHG for another time. Focus on getting this DIY right first without adding to potential complications.

If you were any closer I'd come in and give you a hand (more so to get a first hand sticky beak for myself! )

Good luck and keep us posted

Yeah i am just waiting on my lower intake boot and oil filter from Lucas, then i will see how my vanos DIY went. It rather quite simple. I thought it was gonna be a killer.
Yip i am canning the OFHG change for now. That sludgy engine just broke my steam a bit.
I will do a flush with the current oil in, then change to the cheapie oil and then do another flush.
Thanx.

Glad you got it done. Man, I've never seen that much sludge in an engine...ever.

Originally Posted by Brissyjohn

Glad you got it done. Man, I've never seen that much sludge in an engine...ever.

Yes I will never allow that too happen again.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Bimmer App

What oil were you using and at what intervals?

Originally Posted by trive2

What oil were you using and at what intervals?

I've owned the car for just over 2 yrs now. This is my second service as i service every 5000 km. I have been using this oil.

From what i discovered, maintenance by the previous owners was just shite!!

Try this

or this

Both meet BMW LL-01

Castrol Edge Titanium 0W-40 and Mobil 1 0W-40 are considered to be the best oils by general consensus.

Originally Posted by trive2

Castrol Edge Titanium 0W-40 and Mobil 1 0W-40 are considered to be the best oils by general consensus.

Decent oils but maybe not the best. At least they meet spec.

Originally Posted by Brissyjohn

Try this

or this

Both meet BMW LL-01

Not a big fan of the Shell. Am doing a run of the Penrite to see results...

How are you doing, Rod?