E36 Vanos: Upper Chain Timing from Scratch

[@marquesmcmillan283]

Thank you so much for making this video. I finished putting everything back together after having the head rebuilt. Even though I thought I did everything right I immediately got a P1519 pointing to the VANOS being out of time. I just spent this weekend tearing my motor back down to the timing chain and sure enough, the VANOS gears were wrong. I used this video to get everything right again and no more check engine light (so far). Keep making the great content. Your E36 instructional videos are the best on KZbin!

[@M3NACE]

great man! im glad they helped out. so far, I have not found another video on how to set these gears up properly, just a brief mention in some of the other vanos videos, but I thought I would take my time and break it down. Im glad it helped out man and im glad she is running well again!

[@tebohokhobotle9090]

This helped me a lot. It explains why my 328i kept on losing timing

[@Northern_]

So, Easy mode for this could be to have the chain in front of the exhaust sprocket, make sure the two sprockets where they need to be, mark the chain/sprocket orientation, install the chain and check? Seems an easy way to ballpark it for a first check at least. Thanks for the video

[@M3NACE]

Yup! That also works.

[@DamonFeyOutdoors]

I'm asking everywhere i can before taking to much apart on my 92 325is and hope you might be able to answer a question. To replace worn and brittle timing chain guide rails (the one operated by the plunger type tensioner on the side of the cylinder head), do you need to take off the tmobile chain front cover?

[@ghuapo26]

is the timing on this similar to one with the bankss

[@blakeminson6518]

Hi I have schrick 264/256 cams for my s52. Should I still be able to follow your instructions for setting up the gear/chain relationships in the slots? Thanks for your help

[@M3NACE]

should be the same yessir!

[@blakeminson6518]

M3NACE thanks I may have to pull the Vanos back off. I remember the exhaust studs weren’t centered even though I put the secondary chain and gears on exactly the same as they came off :/

[@M3NACE]

hmm. I would just to double check it. dont want to throw it all back together only to get a cam code.

[@BMWE-um4mr]

Help please can't get my exhaust cam onto the engine timing chain

[@M3NACE]

chain tensioner is out? maybe the chain is caught up on the crank. rotate the crank back and fourth a bit and see if you can get the chain to come out more

[@BACKOFF99]

My bmw e36 makes a rattle sound from the camchain Every time i rev the engine, i wanna try change the camchain and i Hope it helps, great video!

[@M3NACE]

check engine light on? might be a failed vanos unit.

[@JoSeDbZcOoL]

I have watched your videos so much they definitely helped me get my vanos and gears on last night. Does the direction of the arrows really matter even if it seems timed correctly?

[@M3NACE]

I honestly dont think so, as long as you have it sitting properly in relation to the cam correctly you should be fine.

[@JoSeDbZcOoL]

M3NACE thanks for the fast reply! I didnt think so the gear looks the same besides the arrows. Once my car is running and i post a video ill definitely give you a shout out

[@M3NACE]

for sure man! glad I could help.

[@imhauseable]

Good stuff, thanks for taking the time to do up this video. I have been timing my single vanos engine, but I am very much in doubt as to how freely the 'vanos-sandwich' on the intake cam is supposed to move - I have the type where there is a spring washer in the sandwich. Can you describe how the sliding action is supposed to feel? Thanks again

[@M3NACE]

so if you watch my vanos instal video, this one- kzbin.info/www/bejne/apvOq56lg618bdE you will notice how much resistance it has to rotate the assembly. in this video, the assembly is on and the bolts are on enough to hold it onto the cam but loose enough to have forward and backward play in the gears. that isnt relevant but basically loose enough to where i can rotate the whole assembly with a couple of fingers, just to check and correct the timing. in reality when you properly assemble the vanos timing section, before the vanos unit goes on, with proper torque on the plates and the spring diaphragm, you cannot rotate the assembly by hand. the bolts are simply on so tight that you simply cant. to rotate the assembly, you have a tool that fits in the inner ring gear on the exhaust cam with a little tooth that sticks onto one of the sprockets, and has a handle that allows you to rotate the assembly, and even with that tool it still requires some force. on the 3:10 mark on that vanos install video you can see me using the tool to set the upper timing chain all the way to the right to install the vanos. take note that there is resistance in the setup, and you can hear the metal components rubbing, which will put emphasis on why you need to oil ALL of the vanos gears and plates for the install.

[@imhauseable]

Wow man, thanks for your lightning fast and thorough reply! I have watched both your videos, very educational and in a good pace - I have Hazet's complete tool kit, and I have already used the handle you describe. I was somewhat surprised by the considerable force needed to rotate the assembly. So I stopped assembling to investigate. I now have my answer, so I can continue building my M52. Your help is much appreciated!

[@M3NACE]

no problem my friend! those bolts are on there tight for sure. feel free to ask anymore questions if anything pops up. if you feel inclined, poke around the channel, subscribe, and watch some vids. we are currently rebuilding an M50B25 and we just finished honing and decking the block. if you are into mechanical aspects of motor building, it might be something cool to check out.

[@imhauseable]

Way ahead of you, I've already looked at some of it. I am building an M52 high compression stroker with a M52B28 crank, keeping the B25 pistons, M50B25 intake, M54B30 intake cam, ported and polished head etc. So your channel is like catnip for me ;) Will follow.

[@M3NACE]

sick build man, a mini S50. sweet, hope it all goes according to plan. best of luck with the build!

[@wodeyaeric5351]

M3nace,what does repairing a canbus component require? Say a horn is not working,windows r not working or even lights!!0

[@M3NACE]

check fuses first, then normal diag. check for signal voltage, check the component for proper operation, check switches for resistance, ect.

[@quiksr20]

Dude this video series has been a huge help, Im in the middle of doing a head gasket + M3 cams on my M50. Ive only owned this car for 2 years but it appears my vanos was a tooth off. Can you look at the videos below and let me know if I corrected this correctly ( I think I did ) : How I found my chains prior to taking off : dgccr.com/bmw/Vanos_Before.MOV After adjustment : dgccr.com/bmw/Vanos_After.MOV Thanks in advance and keep up the killer videos, Mad props from NJ