Any BMW car from 1993 or later is likely to have the BMW VANOS engine with a valve timing system. Valve timing defines the performance, power and efficiency of an engine. To drive your BMW and keep it in an ideal condition, you must find out VANOS engine working, types and ways to recognise failure signs. Here are all these details.
What is a VANOS engine System?
Ever since the early nineties, BMW cars have been launched with the VANOS engine system. VANOS stands for VAriable NOckenwellen Steuerung. It is a German variable valve timing. The first BMW model to have VANOS was the 5-series (E34) with an M50 6-cylinder engine. Ever Since then there have been multiple variations and three different versions of VANOS engines in the market.
How Does VANOS Work?
When idle, the VANOS gear is entirely retracted and thus does not have any effect on the valve timing. However, pressing the pedal and starting through the RPM range activates the solenoid. It pushes the car engine oil all through the engine system.
This increase in oil pressure causes the VANOS gear to insert itself between the cam and the cam gear. This results in overlapping of the positions of the intake and exhaust valve. This improves emissions at greater cruising speed due to exhaust gas recirculation.
Types of VANOS Engine in BMW
Since its conception, there have been two major types of VANOS engines. These are:
Single VANOS Engine
In this system, the car exhaust side of the engine is linked by a chain and only the intake valve positions are affected. This was the earliest type of VANOS system.
Double VANOS Engine
Four years after the launch of the Single VANOS engine, BMW came up with the double VANOS system. This engine system adjusts the position of intake as well as exhaust valves separately. You can easily check the code of your engine online to figure out if your BMW engine is a single VANOS or a double VANOS.
Image Source: Wikipedia
How to Recognise BMW VANOS problems
Despite a simple and straightforward design, the VANOS engine might wear over time. Since the solenoids in the system require a lot of energy for working, the entire system is likely to have a limited lifespan. VANOS seals replacement usually become mandatory after 80000 km. However, sometimes the entire system ends up getting replaced even before that.
Knowing when to replace the VANOS system is thus crucial. Here are some of the symptoms indicating when it is time to replace the VANOS system:
- Lack of power and slow performance under 3,000 rpm
- Idling Issues
- An increase in fuel consumption and starting issues
- Engine issues with check engine warning light on the dashboard switched on
This is all about the BMW VANOS engine system. Check out these used BMW cars to enjoy the various features this popular car brand offers. However, if you want to widen your choice, have a look at these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on car parts and brands.
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