M52B28 Single Vanos Repair - Questions

[Jjim]

I’m thinking about doing the single Vanos seal repair on my M52B28 engine.

Looked at various guides on internet. One minute I’m thinking - yeah give it a go it will be fun, the next I’m thinking - just get someone to do it who does it a lot (less to go wrong).

How long does it take to do?

I’ve no experience in taking heads or engines apart, so it seems a bit daunting.

If anyone has paid to have this done in the East Midlands region, how much should I be looking to pay?

 

[Jack Ratt]

I did mine while my engine was stripped but changing the vanos seals themselves only takes a few minutes.
To do it from scratch, remove the radiator to allow good access. Remove the engine covers and cam cover.
You'll need the BMW tool to lock the cams and to help release the vanos, these are about £40 on Ebay.
Then just undo 7 bolts in the vanos housing and using the special tool, just pull the vanos out.
Once the vanos is away from the engine it's only a few minutes to take the old seals out and put the new ones in.
You'll need a new rocker/cam gasket and may be a new vanos case gasket.
You can easily it in a morning.

 

[Jack Ratt]

These are all the bits in a single vanos

 

[Jjim]

Cheers Gary. Had a look at some online instructions and it looked quite involved.

Must admit it is something I would like to have a go at doing.

 

[Sean d]

Cheers Gary. Had a look at some online instructions and it looked quite involved.

Must admit it is something I would like to have a go at doing.

I was worried about doing my twin VANOS so got a mechanic mate to come and do it, he made it look very easy, I'll be watching with interest as I will be doing the single VANOS on the 2.8

 

[Grumps]

I think @Lee did @Oldguysrule. I'm sure he'll pop along and give you a run down Jim.