N52 vanos recall

N52 vanos recall

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E82_125i

Original Poster:

319 posts

141 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
Has anyone had the recall letter through the post requesting this to be done?

I was aware the US n52 cars could suffer from loose Vanos bolts but wasn’t aware it extended to EU cars too.

If you have had the work carried out, how long did it take? Did BMW perform any other recall work at the same time?
I currently have a cabin air blower motor recall pending too.

As the dealer will need to take the top end of the engine apart, is it likely i can try and negotiate a complete new cam cover on this age of car (2009) as i understand as they age they are prone to get brittle and crack. After performing a smoke test a while back i suspect mine has as the car runs slightly lean.

E-bmw

9,786 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th September
quotequote all
E82_125i said:
As the dealer will need to take the top end of the engine apart, is it likely i can try and negotiate a complete new cam cover on this age of car (2009) as i understand as they age they are prone to get brittle and crack.
The only people that can answer this are the dealership, can't see a reason why they wouldn't if they are in there anyway.

E82_125i said:
After performing a smoke test a while back i suspect mine has as the car runs slightly lean.
Not quite sure why you think a cam cover would/could cause a lean running engine.

How do you know it is running lean?

What did the smoke test show?

lonny

424 posts

248 months

Tuesday 10th September
quotequote all
Got the recall letter for 2011 z4 2.5l about 6 months ago saying dealer would be in touch soon to book in warranty work. I left it a little while then rung round a few dealers to get dates and all were willing to do it but maybe wait a few weeks for spot. Eventually one could do the next week.

Was told it was an all day job but it was done by lunchtime. Was told bolts were replaced but no more details than that.

Not bad for a 13 year old car.

TheGinger1

72 posts

69 months

Tuesday 10th September
quotequote all
We had the recall letter last week, wife rang our local dealer today and it is going in next Thursday. Surprised how soon they had a slot as recent times the wait for a slot for work has been well over a month

MajorMantra

1,448 posts

117 months

Tuesday 10th September
quotequote all
Am I right in saying this only affects later N52 cars? (Thought I saw 2009-on somewhere but may have imagined it.)

Edited by MajorMantra on Wednesday 11th September 07:39

TheGinger1

72 posts

69 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
I would assume so. Our recall is for a 2011 Z4, not had one (yet) for my 2006 330i.

Earthdweller

14,145 posts

131 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
Not had one for my 2007 Z4 (yet!)

Sofa

473 posts

97 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
Had one through for my 2010 125i- shocked since it’s seemingly a long running issue and isn’t exactly a new thing.

Anyone know if the valve cover gasket gets done? I’m hoping so if they’re taking the valve cover off… would be a nice bonus.


E82_125i

Original Poster:

319 posts

141 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
Not quite sure why you think a cam cover would/could cause a lean running engine.

How do you know it is running lean?

What did the smoke test show?
I performed a diy smoke test and found that there was a small amount of smoke coming from deep down within the cam cover down by a spark plug tube. Can only assume theres a small crack there. It occasionally feels a bit down on power and seems to have positive fuel trims along with a mixture control code when i scan it so can only assume i have a vacuum leak from there.

E82_125i

Original Poster:

319 posts

141 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
MajorMantra said:
Am I right in saying this only affects later N52 cars? (Thought I saw 2009-on somewhere but may have imagined it.)

Edited by MajorMantra on Wednesday 11th September 07:39
I think thats right. Mine is a 59 model N52. I was quite surprised myself to be honest as ive only heard of this being an issue on US cars.

E-bmw

9,786 posts

157 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
E82_125i said:
E-bmw said:
Not quite sure why you think a cam cover would/could cause a lean running engine.

How do you know it is running lean?

What did the smoke test show?
I performed a diy smoke test and found that there was a small amount of smoke coming from deep down within the cam cover down by a spark plug tube. Can only assume theres a small crack there. It occasionally feels a bit down on power and seems to have positive fuel trims along with a mixture control code when i scan it so can only assume i have a vacuum leak from there.
That will be getting past the rings into the engine & out through either a crack or most likely a passing cam cover gasket.

It will not cause lean running.

twokcc

858 posts

182 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
Had my 2011 125i done a few weeks ago at Sytner's. Rocker cover gasket replaced but they wouldn't provide me any details and have zero paperwork to show it has been done. Asked for lists of parts fitted but claim they cannot provide this. Change of policy? didn't use to have a problem of getting lists of parts in past for work on my Z$ 35i when iit went in(often)
Now have an oil drip on garage floor(none before) took to indi-they took under shields off and cleaned down
Seems to be coming from rear of engine. Rocker cover gasket leak at rear-jt's a guess at moment


Mr Tidy

23,817 posts

132 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
That ties in with what I have read on z4forum. It's only E89 owners getting the recall, and they were first built in 2019.

E82_125i

Original Poster:

319 posts

141 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
That will be getting past the rings into the engine & out through either a crack or most likely a passing cam cover gasket.

It will not cause lean running.
Im guessing that would cause a vacuum leak though if im correct?
The car idles fine though, just feels a little hesitant and flat to drive at times.

Court_S

13,800 posts

182 months

Friday 13th September
quotequote all
Sofa said:
Had one through for my 2010 125i- shocked since it’s seemingly a long running issue and isn’t exactly a new thing.

Anyone know if the valve cover gasket gets done? I’m hoping so if they’re taking the valve cover off… would be a nice bonus.
The gaskets will get replaced because the cover comes off…if yours is weeping that’ll be a nice bonus.

Court_S

13,800 posts

182 months

Friday 13th September
quotequote all
E82_125i said:
Has anyone had the recall letter through the post requesting this to be done?

I was aware the US n52 cars could suffer from loose Vanos bolts but wasn’t aware it extended to EU cars too.

If you have had the work carried out, how long did it take? Did BMW perform any other recall work at the same time?
I currently have a cabin air blower motor recall pending too.

As the dealer will need to take the top end of the engine apart, is it likely i can try and negotiate a complete new cam cover on this age of car (2009) as i understand as they age they are prone to get brittle and crack. After performing a smoke test a while back i suspect mine has as the car runs slightly lean.
If there’ are two outstanding recalls there is no reason why they can’t be done together.

The dealer probably would replace the cover at your cost. It’s an expensive part though. Personally I’d want it inspected to make sure that it is cracked before coughing up £400 or so.

E-bmw

9,786 posts

157 months

Friday 13th September
quotequote all
E82_125i said:
E-bmw said:
That will be getting past the rings into the engine & out through either a crack or most likely a passing cam cover gasket.

It will not cause lean running.
Im guessing that would cause a vacuum leak though if im correct?
The car idles fine though, just feels a little hesitant and flat to drive at times.
No, it won't.

You need to look elsewhere for the issue.