Check your Vanos bolts!

[Damian Horner]

It's been a while since this post was active. However, I have an S50 engine with vanos bolts that sheared off, from the left most unit, as pictured above. Two of them are still in the head. Luckily, I didn't do any damage at the time, it just needed new bolts and refilled with oil. I have the vanos cover secured with a metal clamp and it's going nowhere.
So my uestion is - is there an easy or recommended way of removing the broken bolt ends from the vanos unit ? I've tred a few ways myself but if there are any clever tricks then I'm all ears
Thanks in advance.

 

[Pingu]

It's been a while since this post was active. However, I have an S50 engine with vanos bolts that sheared off, from the left most unit, as pictured above. Two of them are still in the head. Luckily, I didn't do any damage at the time, it just needed new bolts and refilled with oil. I have the vanos cover secured with a metal clamp and it's going nowhere.
So my uestion is - is there an easy or recommended way of removing the broken bolt ends from the vanos unit ? I've tred a few ways myself but if there are any clever tricks then I'm all ears
Thanks in advance.

Please post an image so I am 100% sure that I know what your problem is.

I have lots of experience on S50 vanos issues (http://www.porterbility.co.uk/vanos.htm)

 

[Damian Horner]

Hi Pingu. Image attached. It's the left side of thee unit and two of the bolts have sheared.
Not ideal really. Though it is currently very secure.
Thanks for any advice

 

[Pingu]

Hi Pingu. Image attached. It's the left side of thee unit and two of the bolts have sheared.
Not ideal really. Though it is currently very secure.
Thanks for any advice

View attachment 101217

Just as well that I asked for a photo, as the problem is not what I thought.

I don't think you will be able to do anything with the vanos in situ. If you have tested the engine through the rev-range (by blipping the throttle) and all is well, I think your solution looks like a very functional one.

It will only need sorting if you plan to sell. Just check the tightness of the Jubilee clip once in a while. The first sign of a problem will be oil weeping along the lower edge of the casing - as this may show that the solenoids are being pushed out.

If it were me, I'd enjoy the summer and fix it in the winter - removing and refitting the vanos is not a 5 minute job

Removing the bolt shanks should be quite an easy job (at least, as easy as any broken bolt removal is ) with the vanos removed and on the bench. They are normal zinc-plated steel cheese-head bolts, not the stainless ones that are used in other parts of the vanos (which is what I was fearing ).

 

[Ianmc]

Worth being aware that the oil in the vanos runs at very high pressure, around 1800 psi if I recall correctly. If a leak occurs, it doesn't take long to empty the sump.

 

[Damian Horner]

Thanks a lot for the tips gents. I'm a reasonably competent home mechanic, and I'm thinking about removing the vanos myself to have them dealt with. A bit more reading and YouTube watching to do before I make a decision there

Unfortunately, I do actually want to sell the car, and it's in great condition and with low-ish miles (51K) apart from this one issue.

Pingu - I'd be curious if the removal of the vanos and subsequent bolt removal is something that you can do. If so, PM me. It might be worth my while to bring the car over to you and stay until the job is done. (Am located in NI).

Thanks - Damian

 

[Pingu]

Thanks a lot for the tips gents. I'm a reasonably competent home mechanic, and I'm thinking about removing the vanos myself to have them dealt with. A bit more reading and YouTube watching to do before I make a decision there

Unfortunately, I do actually want to sell the car, and it's in great condition and with low-ish miles (51K) apart from this one issue.

Pingu - I'd be curious if the removal of the vanos and subsequent bolt removal is something that you can do. If so, PM me. It might be worth my while to bring the car over to you and stay until the job is done. (Am located in NI).

Thanks - Damian

It is not something that I would want to do on someone else's car. There is a lot of potential for a costly disaster.

I'd be more than happy to help you do it. Are you planning a trip to GB? If not, I've not been to NI, and it would be another tick off the bucket list.

The videos on my youtube channel show you what is involved.

 

[Damian Horner]

Hi Pingu and co. I brought the car to a local engineering shop who specialise in engine rebuilds etc. They say they'll have no issue sorting it out once the radiator is out of the way. So all sounds good. Cheers for the advice and offer to help.
D