320i E90 N42/N46 bad rattle/misfire after new timing kit. Vanos unit or solenoid?

Bmw 320i E90 N46 bad rattle/misfire only when engine is warm not cold. Has new timing chain , guides , Tensioner. But still the same problem? Vanos unit ? Or solenoid?

[@patrickthoen1]

Hi, i have a similar issue. When my e90 n46 2006 is cold, some times the engine light blimps on and off, and today it stay on, removed the light with obd2 screen on dash. Not seen it again yet but havent had a cold engine. Ow and it also shakes likes its running on 3 cylinders, but thats also only sometimes.

[@coolmojito]

Did you end up fixing it or did you give up? The vvt sensor and electric motor are pretty easy to swap out, and used ones are fairly cheap compared to bmw dealership prices

[@djxinc20]

I also had the same issue on my N46, tried changing VANOS solenoids, plugs,air flow meter, even changed the vacuum lines on the manifold, finally found the issue it was the vacuum pump after changing the vacuum pump everything got sorted no misfire or rough ideal

[@ahmedza9303]

Damien Weerasinghe the vacuum pump is related to the break system , no idea why that would cause a misfire.

[@djxinc20]

Ehsan Ahmed yea, true thats why i never checked the vacuum pump, seems like it was leaking and vacuum pump was pulling in air, that caused the rough ideal...

[@ahmedza9303]

Damien Weerasinghe the pump leaks mine is leaking again only stop the leak is to put gasket sealer that stops it , however my problem is the vvt system I've disconnected it and have driving the car for over a year no problems just abit low on power

[@djxinc20]

Ehsan Ahmed alright cool mate, i was going through videos and came across your video, thought of sharing my experience because my engine also had the same symptoms..

[@UnicornRyder04]

@@ahmedza9303 I'm the same on 02 corolla s, 67,000 miles I have same rattle near timing chain area just little bit lower, I suspect it's the timing chain tensioner, when looked at chain it looked good but I know whatever the problem is causing metal shaving of the chain in the oil & when I get to higher speeds getting on highway it takes my car a little bit of effort to get speed up... I'm re replacing the vvt solenoid again to a new one because I had once a CE but I put a used one & light went away soo replacing it for fun with a new one & then might tackle the tensioner or just sell the car to get another car

[@chriskerry3777]

when you replace the o rings make sure to push them in till they pop in screwing the bolts is not enough they take a bit force and will hang out if not

[@ahmedza9303]

yeah but this problem isn't the Vanos solenoid , its when the vvt motor or vvt senor or vanos units. only way is to replace each part till the problem is resolved. i just unplugged the vvt senor it runs fine but low on power at low rpms

[@SHOCKN3SSK1D]

I just replaced my vanos o rings and vacuum pumps o rings, car now runs like crap, your saying they need to be pushed in real tight otherwise?

[@javsteris]

wow am having same issue replaced loads had loads a faults but I'd be inclined to check the timing as mine had jumped 180 degrees out so when u put the timing tool on tdc the cams looked right and it still ran unbelievabley but after a doing a lot of research the cams have a flat end and an ovel end it's the ovel end that sits on the top. but I have thrown a lot of parts in this last few weeks and also came across a lot of broken plastic from the old chain guides that block the pasage to the vanos and stop it working as the vanos rely on oil pressure hope ya get it sorted .

[@ahmedza9303]

my timing chain had alot off slack i chould move it around with my fingers. replaced the time chain , guides , tensioner ,crank seal also did my vavle stem steals as it was smoking bad. i have a tool for that without removing the head , all this was done a bmw workshop near me not dealers. i supplied all parts. but the problem still didn't change the car Shake's & sounds like diesel , it will drive fine when cold soon as its warm the problem starts. but now iv disconnected the Eccentric vvt sensor. car runs fine but low on power & cuts off completely when i push it hard , but i still daily drive it planing on buying the parts slowly then repair it. should be good as new. i think every bmw will suffer vanos/vvt problems not just N42/N46. the N52 in the E90 also has vanos problems

[@blardymunggas6884]

Wiring perhaps or some simple sensor issues most of the time

[@hettyhetty2500]

in my same case it was a vanos gear replace them both

[@theoteixeira2542]

Vanos

[@allan22629]

hi iam having almost the same issue, mine its 320i e90 n46 2006 and then vibrated the engine even when its cold or warm, already change sparks plugs, i was thinking about de coils cause i have a OBD 2 and the codes that throw me to are misfires on cilender 1 and so i disconnect them all one by one a nothing change so that tell me that are not the coils so now i dnt know what to do 😕.. if you can give some advice about this situation i'll will apreciate that ahmed.. iam from panama my friend

[@ahmedza9303]

Allan Arroyo Hi bro , i also used a OBD2 Scanner , i suggest you use carly for bmw app to diagnose it properly i will send you the paid version. you need to first determine what system is giving you problem Coil Packs? or the vvt system also note the timing chain tensioner needs to be upgraded since bmw had admitted the older one is bad , since you say misfire i think the timing is off , you need a new timing chain guides and tensioner , that would be my first step since i already did this on my car. i disconnected my VVT vanos sensor and my car runs fine try that ,otherwise change the timing chain guides and new tensioner it wont cost alot however if you cant afford it just replace the tensioner and retime the engine , but disconnected the eccentric shaft sensor and see if it helps

[@motormans2]

Allan Arroyo typical e90, timing chain tensioner brokes and the chain goes loose!

[@ddmg2011]

have you fixed the balancer shafts that are in the oil sump before replacing the control chain? they absolutely have to be fixed and aligned with a special tool.

[@ahmedza9303]

Daniel Havertz no i didn't. This problem is related to the vvt vanos system. It requires the eccentric shaft sensor & vvt motor to be replaced , the vanos unit it self can be a problem but the other parts are more common in failing. Tell me more about what you are talking about

[@the_lost8798]

Ahmed ZA hey bro I have a 2011 bmw 320i Can I change the vanos motor myself easy ? Also what about the solanoids

[@johncoldwell340]

Sorry mate are you saying the oil pump chain has to be aligned with the main timing chain because there is a balance shaft down in the sump?

[@i990749]

@@johncoldwell340 yes, its a must if you are replacing timing chain

[@barisozgur5140]

Hi. Did you solve the problem, Ahmed ZA? But Ihave a problem. Hello, I am Baris (peace). I'm writing from Izmir Turkey. I have an E46 318i N46 engine automatic car. After 300 - 500 km of use, the MAF and Valvetronic engine adaptation error is given. Electrical wiring was checked. 4 ignition coil, MAF sensor (2 times), Valvetronic adjustment motor (2 times) eccentric position sensor changed. timing was set to cain (2 times). now 500 km after the same failure, the automatic gear shifts to the maintenance koonum (the center of the exclamation point is lit). Do you have any idea? thanks.

[@barisozgur5140]

Pardon , timing chain adjustment (2 times).

[@MrBandera76]

change vacuum pumpa.. or repear.. also chech ccv

[@barisozgur5140]

@@MrBandera76 Thank you for your interest. I will try.

[@blardymunggas6884]

Not timing chain or vanos for sure. I had a vanos or valve code. Since a low mielage engine with gearbox from japan is cheaper option than trying to replace everything, i swap ped it. Unfortunately after a while the same problem reappear. I believe its the computer or wiring issues instead. I hope BMW did not intentionally code it to vibrate after reaching certain mileage🙏🏻

[@barisozgur5140]

@@blardymunggas6884 Hello, thanks for your interest. The problem was resolved in November 2019. Eccentric shaft (11 37 7 578 543) and inlet camshaft (11317566992) has been changed. Then I sold the vehicle :( ..

[@stefan032032]

have you fix it? i have a same problem...

[@ahmedza9303]

Stefan Veljovic no i have been driving the car for over a year no problems just low on power , disconnected the vvt system

[@squisht9098]

Did either of you ever come right? Exact same problem, as in exactly as described. From temperature affecting it to disconnecting vvt sensor

[@screekid]

@@squisht9098 timing is wrong mate

[@MrBandera76]

check vvt motor(actuator)..

[@Biggmofo]

Vanos ala playa no no no no no.

[@jonnykintanilla]

did u fix your problem bro I'm going trough the same thing I'm about to install the vanos soloneids and valve motor plus u have to reprogram both adaption with a computer bro keep me updated

[@jonnykintanilla]

updated car fix bro

[@cidmonfernandes40]

What was the problem ??

[@RobotBros2]

Im having the same fucking problem with my e90 320i and I replaced -valvetronic motor -two vanos solenoids -Camshaft sensors still no difference im wondering if you fixed yours

[@blardymunggas6884]

I’m sending mine to an expert now. Same problem. Will update soon. I’ve replace a whole engine and gearbox because of the same problem hence it makes me believe it because of some simple wiring stuff instead. Will keep you guys updated. Hope my experience can save future owners some money. My car is a 2005 E46 with N46 engine

[@ayoubchriyaa7000]

@@blardymunggas6884 please le us on touch thanks

[@amgsline7467]

@@blardymunggas6884 please let us know thx.

[@blardymunggas6884]

Hi. Sorry for the late update. Car is finally running like a champ. It was the engine harness and battery terminal. Changed the entire engine harness, cleaned up the battery terminals and did a manual reset, car is running like new now. Its been 2 months. Touch wood its still ok. Also, I did change a few sensors that kept getting blown for some reason. Now no more sensor problems since wiring was changed

[@amgsline7467]

@@blardymunggas6884do you know which part of engine harness been damaged?

[@user-uc3uv9jz9j]

Vaccum fail

[@MuugiiB]

same shit happened

[@djt4640]

what was the Problem? i have the same symptoms

[@ahmedza9303]

its the vvt system. after disconnected it runs fine but low on power & brings up a check engine light after few miles. i was getting all sort's off code's pointing to the vanos system. i suspected vanos unit since it only happens when the car is warm. car would rattle like a diesel misfire alot the only way would be to replaced the whole vvt system since its very hard to track the faulty part. if i keep the car i will replace , vanos units , vanos solenoids , vvt motor , eccentric shaft sensor. i still daily drive the car..i get cut offs if i push the car hard so i keep a limt off driving dont rev over 3000rpm. i must say with the vvt disconnected its very sluggish

[@djt4640]

+Ehsan Ahmed yes I also think that it's a vanos problem. maybe you can try to change the seal rings of the solenoids, it's a fast and cheap solution. the vanos unit of the n42/n46 engines is very complex.

[@ahmedza9303]

+Josef I've done that. its just an O ring which doesn't effect or improve performance just seals oil from leaking out the housing. this seems to be a physical problem with the vanos units or vvt motor or sensor or maybe eccentric shaft not just the sensor. I'm getting vvt codes but there is no way to pin point which part is the actual problem , so its best to replace one after the other until its solved