Is it the vanos,

[majesticproperti]

my 96 evo has developed a little miss fire and a bit of a lumpy idle, well very lumpy but not all the time. the car is full bmw history and has done 115k and yes it still is on its first vanos( must be the only one) it has been to bmw for the vanos recall.

If and i am hoping it is not the vanos as there are no horrible sounds for the engine cold or hot. I do have a very small blow form the front exhust as the thing keeps hitting my garge floor and since this happened i noticed the miss fire.

I have no specialists here just the main dealers.

What do you guys think is up with her. (The old minx)

Anthony,

Proberly needing a loan for the repair, bugger there go´s xmas for me kids.

[BigG]

Misfires on the M engine could also be due to a faulty coil (or a wonky spark plug), instead of the VANOS - everyone is too quick to blame the VANOS. Additionally, idle has always been lumpy for me. What are the characteristics of your misfire? Where abouts in the rev range? Only at cold, or ok when warm?

I understand that the VANOS is likely to get rattley and chattery prior to failure, but i'm not sure that a misfire is a symptom of the VANOS failing; more likely just the car not coming "on cam" and therefore just feeling lacking in power. How is the VANOS sounding? Is it noisy?

If it is the VANOS, expect to pay £1500 inc vat/labour for a new one at an Independent.

Edit: if you take it to a dealer, surely they'll be able to read the fault codes and let you know?

>> Edited by BigG on Thursday 3rd November 20:16

>> Edited by BigG on Thursday 3rd November 20:17

[fixedwheelnut]

If the vanos is causing the misfire it should throw up a fault, but check the coils first they are most common culprit for misfires, especially when people steam clean their engines and fill them up with water.

[uksleeper]

Also get the codes read for MAFM (air mass meter) faults. Sometimes they show, others not. about £220 inc. vat from the dealer, I am on my 3rd.

[majesticproperti]

Thanks for the help so far but i have just been able to read your replies.

I now dont think it is the vanos. I also have an audi tt 225 and I tried over the weekend to see if i could find the fault and i think its the air flow meter, thank god. As audis are known for poping these i did the same check that i was told to do for the audi and disconected the air flow meter and ran the car. it seemed to work, idle was ok and power was back.

the vanos is quite and mine has had regular filter changes. but i am sure its going to go but when is the question as the car has done 115k. any one like to bet how long my vanos will last. lol

Thank you for your help guys.

Anthony
Spain

[eliot]

Also depending if your blowing exhaust is upstream of the lambda sensor, that will cause it to give bad readings.

[andygtt]

I'm on 135k in my Evo now and the old girl is still going strong. Don't think mine had been replaced either as there was nothing in the service history.
I bought mine with 105 on the clock about 18mths ago.