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View Full Version : DrVanos installed. Results and thoughts.

zeit00
11-12-2007, 01:47 PM
So my Vanos had the typical noise that most people complain about. Not so much the marbles in a tin can noise. But it sounded like the chain was slapping against the valve cover. :(

Needless to say it was very embarissing when my co-workers would say my engine sounded bad. I was also worried of total failure of the vanos or something breaking and causing other problems down the line. So I started looking at replacement Vanos units. New was way to expensive, and I have heard stories about people having the same exact problem after the new one was installed. And I did not want to take the chance of a used one that might be worse off than mine. Then I found this website http://www.drvanos.com. Everything looked good, and what the website was saying made sense. But, I have not seen many reviews on the product, and decided to try it out.

The Vanos unit that came in was top notch. It looked brand new, and came with the crushwashers and metal gasket that is needed for the repair. The instructions on the website are top notch, and there is nothing I could add by doing any DIY instructions. Just print them out and follow them to the T.

Here are some pictures from the install:
http://www.martin-performance.com/cars/1992%20325is/Vanos%20Repair/DSC00142.JPG
http://www.martin-performance.com/cars/1992%20325is/Vanos%20Repair/DSC00148.JPG
http://www.martin-performance.com/cars/1992%20325is/Vanos%20Repair/DSC00151.JPG


Once installed the car idled very smooth. The noise from my intake was louder than any noise from my engine. I gave the car a few quick revs and was delighted to hear no vanos noise at all. :cool:

The drive was incredible! The car is now pulling at low RPMs and just screams to redline. I am very happy with this, and would recommend DrVanos to anyone with Vanos problems.

I would give this a difficulty of 6 out of 10. And the product a 10 out of 10.
SWINFORD
11-12-2007, 03:58 PM
:icon18:
Philip
11-12-2007, 05:35 PM
Cool. Good to know.
zeit00
11-12-2007, 05:40 PM
I am going to post up an "after" video so everyone can hear it. :)
88e28
11-12-2007, 06:47 PM
Looks like alot of work. How many miles on the car when the problem started?
zeit00
11-12-2007, 06:58 PM
Looks like alot of work. How many miles on the car when the problem started?

Well it is an S52 swap and I was told it had around 80k when I put it in ...So now I would say it is around 95k or so. It actually is pretty easy with the right tools.. It took me and my friend about 2 hours. That was with small breaks and such. I could probably do it now in 45 minutes or so
88e28
11-12-2007, 07:00 PM
I have a m50 engine with 72,000 miles on it.
zeit00
11-12-2007, 07:24 PM
I have a m50 engine with 72,000 miles on it.

All the same really.. My orginal engine had 260,000 miles on it.. But it had no vanos. :)
Mitch
11-12-2007, 11:19 PM
Great great write up! I would be scared going that deep into my engine, but I barely know how to change the oil, so easy things scare Mitchy.
Philip
11-12-2007, 11:31 PM
Vanos is something I've been wanting to learn to work on. It would be very useful skill to have, because everyone eventually needs it.
If anyone has a failing Vanos unit I will donate my tools and time to help you fix it.
zeit00
11-13-2007, 12:44 PM
Vanos is something I've been wanting to learn to work on. It would be very useful skill to have, because everyone eventually needs it.
If anyone has a failing Vanos unit I will donate my tools and time to help you fix it.

Philip... let me know when.. I can help you out with this. The install was actually a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. And once you figure out what everything means, it should only take an hour or two. I could probably do it again in 45 minutes now.. Or less depending on other circumanstances.
zeit00
11-13-2007, 01:02 PM
http://www.martin-performance.com/cars/1992%20325is/MOV00166.MPG
Here is the video I made this morning. Its not the best quality.. Also imagine the sound from the car to have more bass. The ambient noise from the intake makes it sound kind of bad.

Oh yea right click and save.. It is not opening correctly for some reason.
DavidYow
11-13-2007, 04:37 PM
Man this is terrific information, thanks for sharing! :)
zeit00
11-13-2007, 04:42 PM
Man this is terrific information, thanks for sharing! :)

No problem.. Glad to give back to the forum!
kendogg
11-21-2007, 12:38 PM
Looks like alot of work. How many miles on the car when the problem started?

Vanos-only swap is cake.

I'd like to see one of the Dr. Vanos units taken apart. Karl, you wouldn't be willing to take a day and remove yours and take the cover off to look at the insides by chance, and compare it to your old Vanos, would you?? There's not much that can be changed, it's a dual-helical cup, with vanes underneath the cover, so it should be relatively simple and quick t see what is done differently.

I am not saying this because I want to copy somebodys work and steal their business - if infact it is a better product, then by all means, I hope he can make all the money in the world :), I however, being the skeptic that I am, am curious exactly why it is better, if it is infact better at all.
Bayerische_ftw
12-02-2007, 02:14 AM
Vanos is something I've been wanting to learn to work on. It would be very useful skill to have, because everyone eventually needs it.
If anyone has a failing Vanos unit I will donate my tools and time to help you fix it.

Hey phillip, my car's vanos needs a little :wrench::icon18: What do you think about experimenting on my poor 36?
zeit00
12-12-2007, 03:54 PM
Vanos-only swap is cake.

I'd like to see one of the Dr. Vanos units taken apart. Karl, you wouldn't be willing to take a day and remove yours and take the cover off to look at the insides by chance, and compare it to your old Vanos, would you?? There's not much that can be changed, it's a dual-helical cup, with vanes underneath the cover, so it should be relatively simple and quick t see what is done differently.

I am not saying this because I want to copy somebodys work and steal their business - if infact it is a better product, then by all means, I hope he can make all the money in the world :), I however, being the skeptic that I am, am curious exactly why it is better, if it is infact better at all.

Not really.. It was an easy enough job, but I don't feel like taking anything apart that works. Honestley the big deal is you have 4 choices. Live with a noisy vanos, Buy a new one that can still sound bad, buy a used one that is questionable, or get one from Dr. Vanos that works as advertised. For the money it is worth it.