Dr. Vanos Repair Kit?

[E turd]

Hey guys. I've got my m52b28 single vanos motor on the stand right now and am trying to get a list going of all the things that should be replaced on a 135k motor while it's out of the car. Until recently, seals and the oil pickup nut mod were the only things I could think of (aside from the regular OBD1 conversion and E30 swap stuff), but then this morning I stumbled upon some youtube videos of a common loud VANOS problem and the Dr.Vanos repair kits, which can be seen here: http://drvanos.com/

Anyway, I just wanted to get some feedback on whether or not you guys have any experience with it or recommend doing it, or going with another vendor. I was thinking of maybe getting the stage 2 kit.



Thanks and happy turkey day!

[e30polak]

If you want to buy a bolt-in product, then get the Dr. Vanos.

If you're a little more mechanically inclined and want to rebuild it yourself, here is a link to the seals you need : http://www.beisansystems.com/

Either way, if you can take care of the Vanos while it's out of the car it would make life a lot easier.

[Van Westervelt]

Unless your cam gears are worn or you are running a built up motor or FI, dont spend your cash on the stage 2, just go with stage 1.

[dude8383]

Unless your cam gears are worn or you are running a built up motor or FI, dont spend your cash on the stage 2, just go with stage 1.

x2

No reason to spend the loot on that. I purchased their Stage 1 kit and I'm a happy camper :)

Everything was easy breezy with these guys, they replied to all of emails promptly and were very nice people to deal with.

[e30 blue]

I went with Beisan systems Vanos Solutions ( kit was something like $45) and I bought the rattle repair kit as well(I dont remember how much it was,maybe $30). J.N.W. Engine & Machine rebuilt it for like $200 or so. I had them build the motor,so it was easy to add this kit to the work. They are in Santa Rosa , 20 minute drive away from You. I do hear some noise from the vanos(a little rattle) and was told up front that you have a brake-in period of 200 miles ,and I only have 8 as of today. The noise is almost gone now,so time will tell. Hope this was of some help.

[E turd]

*edit: NV on the tools. I can see from the beisan site where to get them and what tools are needed for the job. You guys are the best!


I am fairly mechanically inclined, though I don't pretend to know everything there is to know about fixing cars. Even the simple task of spinning wrenches isn't always as straight forward as one might hope it to be. That said, nowadays I have enough experience and connections with professional mechanics that tackling a project isn't the daunting part. What makes me apprehensive is the possibility of needing very expensive special tools to get the job done properly. Usually what happens is that I am elbow deep into a project and then discover I need some kind of tool that is not only difficult to find, but expensive to boot.


It looks like the Dr. Vanos site has some special tools for rent to do the job. Anyone know where I can get those tools (or how I can make them without needing a full service fab shop)? I am handy with a dremel and have friends who can weld so making some things is definitely an option.



Thanks for the responses thus far. I appreciate it!

[gazellebeigem3]

meh, i have the stage two kit and like it

[M-technik-3]

I have done two Beisan kits, they work nicely for the money. I was talking recently with the local service manager and he mentioned that Factory units have a two year warranty on them.

[nrubenstein]

There's no real reason to do this now, unless you're pulling the valve cover anyway. It's really easy to get to the VANOS unit when the engine is in the car.

[bostonbmw]

Its always going to be easier to do the work on an engine stand... Also if you only do the seals that wont address the rattle, you need to get the anti rattle kit.

[mck]

Is there any advantage of doing getting Dr vanos to do the rebuild of the vanos unit?
Do they machine the internals of the unit itself? or just change the seals, washer, etc...??

[madjurgen]

So you guys touting the Dr.Vanos Stg1 kits are fine with paying someone $200 labor to install two seals and a bearing race?!?!? Sounds like wasted money to me.

[e30 blue]

Thats what You get when you trust someone. Beisan Systems web site said 1 hour labour and the shop charged me for 2 hours .I had issues with my vanos ( damaged at different shop) blah blah blah.What can a dude do, shop has to do the work if you want a warranty.So thanks Madjurgen for helping me put things in order.The shop time to install seals and bearing is one hour according to Roj at Beisan Systems on the phone today. Thanks

[madjurgen]

You definitely got charged too much by your shop but the $200 I was speaking of is the difference between the Dr.Vanos Stg1 kit and both Beisan kits. I dont understand why people keep recommending getting the Dr.Vanos kit.

[dude8383]

when i purchased my kit, beisan didn't have the ""ain't rattle kit" available. so when the rattle didn't go away, i ordered the Dr.Vanos kit and received a freshly rebuilt Vanos unit. I did the work myself so labor was free. Plus there's a warranty on the unit.

You definitely got charged too much by your shop but the $200 I was speaking of is the difference between the Dr.Vanos Stg1 kit and both Beisan kits. I dont understand why people keep recommending getting the Dr.Vanos kit.