Attached are two pictures of the lower rad hose, which connects to the thermostat housing. There is an apparent oil leak, but difficult to see where it is coming from. Look familiar? Appreciate your thoughts....
If you also see oil leaking onto the exhaust mani heat shield then probably just vcg. Otherwise, you're right below the vanos solenoid...that film canister thing...and it has an o-ring in it. Could also be the vanos gasket...and if that, I'd say do vcg and vanos seals while you're there.
Clean it up best you can and try to find initial source better...but I'm pretty sure it's vcg/vanos (or some part thereof).
And op that's a very common leak I see in a lot of E46s. And good info 330ciandr6. Can you or someone else post part #s for the vanos solenoid o-ring? I think mine might be leaking. i looked on realoem before but couldnt find it...
Edit: nevermind i think i found it.. but it seems to be for the intake side. doesnt list for exhaust side. is this it? part#3
And op that's a very common leak I see in a lot of E46s. And good info 330ciandr6. Can you or someone else post part #s for the vanos solenoid o-ring? I think mine might be leaking. i looked on realoem before but couldnt find it...
Edit: nevermind i think i found it.. but it seems to be for the intake side. doesnt list for exhaust side. is this it? part#3
I wonder if that exhaust cps o-ring is the same as the IAT one...think I have an extra...and that seems like an easy thing to get to. Will have to look into that!
Nope, not the same...it's a 17 x 3 0-ring. IAT is 8 x 3...not even close!
Also, Mango, that solenoid 0-ring is listed as "quantity 2" so that's definitely it...as it doesn't show pic of exhaust side for that part's breakdown.
Maybe a dumb question, but it is black oil engine oil, right? Reason I ask is I've seen AC refridgerant leaks that leave an oily residue, but it's clear stuff. Not the engine oil stuff.
Thanks. becaue of this thread I ordered new camshaft position sensor o-rings and new vanos solenoid o-rings. I read somewhere I'll need special tools (deep sockets) for the vanos solenoids? can't use a wrench? Procedure different for intake and exhaust sides? I also plan to break them down and clean the suckers out. There's no documentation/pics on this so when I do it, i'll see if i can write something up.
Just a quick query to see if anyone has any updates on this topic. I replaced my vcg and rebuilt my vanos (besian) about 15K ago. I have the exact oil leak/stains as depicted on the images at the beginning of this post and they developed about 1K ago. Oil runs down the radiator hose and onto the ground. Having a hard time believing vcg given age and the fact that you can visibly see the vcg which is well above the leak area. Perhaps the vanos gasket...but again almost new. Leak appears to be immediately behind/beneath exhaust solenoid on vanos or from the set screws adjacent/beneath the solenoid.
I have the exact oil leak/stains as depicted on the images at the beginning of this post and they developed about 1K ago. Oil runs down the radiator hose and onto the ground. Having a hard time believing vcg given age
Another thread documents that the Victor-Reinz VCG seems to be less than adequate if that's the one you've used.
I used one and it's leaking after 8000 miles in the same location of your leak.
Thanks for the quick reply. This leak falls between the two CPSs so I'm pretty sure it's not coming from either of them (even though I'm considering replacing both). Yes...I replaced the vanos gasket when I did the vanos rebuild/vcg. I'm seriously contemplating a complete vanos replacement, but hate to go through the entiire vcg/vanos process again if it's just an o ring. I even re-torqued the vanos mounting bolts.
Thanks...don't recall manufacturer of vcg but that doesn't sound familiar. Dark here on east coast but will take picture. Must admit I still don't see vcg as cause. It would have to run down the front of the vanos and that's not happening. Maybe vanos gasket? Sounds like a replacement of vcg, vanos and gasket might be the easiest way except for $$$.
I am the author of this thread at origin. It was the VCG. A cheap, easy repair with several utube videos to assist. Change the spark plugs at the same time too.
Thanks for all the advice. Still skeptical about vcg with no visible trail. Guess I'll replace vcg and vanos just for good measure. Any experience with Dr. Vanos and rebuilt vanos? Thanks again!
Dr. Vanos does a fine job for $250 you won't have to touch the inside of the vanos. Just exchange.
Beisan costs like $135 in parts and you must have a 4" vise and impact wrench.
So DIY saves you like $130 total if you have the tools.
Thanks. I did the besian seals rebuild about 30K ago but not the rattle rebuild. I don't think the besian addresses solenoids or o rings which is my partial concern. Seems Dr. Vanos may be the better deal if it includes new solenoids and O rings. Need to check.
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