How To Properly Repair Vanos Solenoid

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• Projection Time: 2 hours
• Tab: $260
• Talent
• Tools: Set of sockets 10mm, flathead screwdriver

• Parts Required: VANOS solenoid, O-ring
• Performance Gain: Remedy error codes and restore engine performance
• Complementary Modification: Replace in pairs

To amend engine breathing at a multifariousness of rpms, thus improving fuel efficiency, emissions and power, MINI engines are designed with VANOS, an acronym based on the German words VAriable NOckenwellenSteuerung or variable camshaft timing.

Though a number of VANOS systems have been designed and implemented, the bones principle behind all of them is the need to change the relative timing between the intake and exhaust valve opening. The VANOS actuator on each camshaft is supplied with engine oil under pressure; a solenoid controlled by the engine command module (ECM) retards or advances camshaft timing past modifying the supply of pressurized oil to the VANOS actuator.

Intake valves:

• Retarded during idle, improves smoothness of idle
• Advanced during part-throttle dispatch, improves torque and emissions
• Retarded at full-throttle, improves high ability production

Frazzle valves:

• Retarded during deceleration so that more exhaust can stay and mix with the cylinder charge, thus diluting the mixture, lowering combustion temperature and reducing NOx in the frazzle. This is similar to the effect of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
• Avant-garde during warm-up phase in order to allow rapid warm-upward and more than efficient performance of catalytic converters.

MINI four-cylinder engines installed in R56 vehicles are equipped with a few different versions of VANOS, described below.

The MINI R56 N14 engine utilizes one VANOS (variable camshaft timing) solenoid for the intake camshaft, mounted to the cylinder caput. Information technology is responsible for direct oil catamenia to the VANOS actuator and tin can get restricted over time on loftier mileage engines. You can clean or supersede the solenoid quite easily if needed. My suggestion is if you have determined you lot need a VANOS solenoid by cleaning, they are adequately inexpensive, and y'all're always better off replacing a degrading part. The sealing O-ring for the VANOS solenoid tin can besides leak. If you have an oil leak down the front of the cylinder head, audit the solenoid area for fresh oil.

The MINI R56 N12, N16 and N18 engines use two VANOS (variable camshaft timing) solenoids -- one for the intake camshaft and one for the exhaust camshaft, mounted to the front end of the cylinder head. They are responsible for direct oil flow to the VANOS actuator and can become restricted over time on high mileage engines. Y'all can make clean or replace the solenoids quite hands if needed. My suggestion is if you accept determined you lot need a VANOS solenoid by cleaning or swapping side to side, replace both solenoids. They are fairly inexpensive and you're always meliorate off replacing a degrading part. The sealing O-ring for the VANOS solenoid tin can likewise leak. If you have an oil leak down the forepart of the cylinder head, inspect the solenoid area for fresh oil.

Keep in mind that when your car was serviced before, parts may have been replaced with different size fasteners used in the replacement. The sizes of the nuts and bolts we give may exist different from what yous have, and then be prepared with unlike size sockets and wrenches.

Protect your eyes, hands and body from fluids, dust and droppings while working on your vehicle. If you're working with the electric system, disconnect the battery before commencement. Ever catch fluids in appropriate containers and properly dispose of any fluid waste. Recycle parts, packaging and fluids when possible. Do not work on your vehicle if yous feel the task is beyond your power.

Vehicle models change and evolve, as they abound older, so the vehicle shown in our illustrations may vary slightly from yours. If something seems different, let usa know and share your info to help other users. Do you accept questions or want to add together to the article? Exit a annotate below. When leaving a comment, please exit your vehicle data.

The procedure for a normally aspirated N12 4-cylinder engine is below. Other engines are similar.

Hot tip

Work with a cool engine

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Project Photos

Figure ane Inspecting VANOS solenoids once removed: Cheque the VANOS solenoid for cleanliness and or debris. Clean both solenoids and reinstall. If the fault code for the camshaft position sensor goes away or swaps position from intake to exhaust (or vice versa), the error code is existence caused by the VANOS solenoid. Supervene upon the solenoid that the code followed. Hither are fault codes you may have if a VANOS solenoid is causing your problem: 2A9A Cam sensor, inlet point invalid for synchronization, 2A98 (P0016) Crankshaft intake correlation value outside ref range, 2A82 intake VANOS jammed mechanically, 2A9B frazzle camshaft sensor indicate invalid for synchronization, 2A99 (P0017) Crankshaft position sensor and exhaust camshaft, correlation value outside reference range, 2A87 exhaust VANOS jammed mechanically, 2845 VANOS, actuator movement (red pointer).

Figure 2 Exhaust: The MINI R56 N12, N16 and N18 engines utilise two VANOS (variable camshaft timing) solenoids -- one for the intake camshaft (greenish arrow) and one for the exhaust camshaft (blood-red arrow), mounted to the front end of the cylinder head. This tech article will bear witness you how to supersede each one. For turbocharged engines, meet our tech commodity on accuse air ducts removing, for access to the solenoids. Then follow the steps in this commodity for replacing or cleaning.

Figure 3 Exhaust: The VANOS solenoids are responsible for direct oil flow to the VANOS actuator and tin go restricted over fourth dimension on high mileage engines. You can make clean or supersede the solenoids quite easily if needed. My suggestion is if yous accept determined you need a VANOS solenoid by cleaning or swapping side to side, replace both solenoids. They are adequately inexpensive and you're always ameliorate off replacing a degrading office. The sealing O-ring for the VANOS solenoid can as well leak. If yous take an oil leak down the front of the cylinder head, audit the solenoid surface area for fresh oil. The red arrow shows a partially restricted solenoid and the greenish arrow shows a fully restricted solenoid. If y'all notice one with debris, remove and make clean (or replace) both. I usually find more than debris in the intake solenoids than the exhaust.

Effigy 4 Frazzle: Disconnect the VANOS solenoid electrical connector (red arrow).

Effigy 5 Frazzle: Release the tab (cerise arrow) and pull information technology straight off the solenoid. Pull the tab up slightly to release it.

Figure 6 Frazzle: Remove the VANOS solenoid 10mm fastener (red pointer). Do not reuse this fastener. Throw it away one time removed and replace it with a new one.

Effigy 7 Exhaust: Pull the solenoid out of the cylinder head (red pointer). If stuck, use a flathead screwdriver to gently lever against the metal bracket on the VANOS solenoid to extract it from the cylinder head. Be very careful not to damage the solenoid or cylinder caput when doing this. Pull the VANOS solenoid sensor out of the cylinder head. Have a rag nearby in case some oil drips out of the cylinder head when the sensor is removed. The VANOS solenoid O-ring can stay in the cylinder head when the solenoid is removed. Be certain to pull it out before reinstalling the solenoid. Clean the VANOS solenoid and be sure it is free of debris. The best fashion to clean it is to wash with a cleaner and so lightly blow it out with compressed air. See Footstep xiv for more info. Install the VANOS solenoid in the reverse club of removing. Supplant the fastener and O-ring every fourth dimension the sensor is removed from the cylinder head. Lubricate the O-ring with clean engine oil to facilitate installation.

Figure 8 Intake: The intake duct removal in this article only applies to normally aspirated models. For duct removal on turbocharged engines, see our tech article on charge air ducts removing. Working at the mass airflow sensor duct, using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the duct clench (red arrow).

Figure 9 Intake: Pull the duct (red arrow) off the mass airflow sensor. And so working at the lower part of the duct, near the throttle housing, loosen the lower duct clench (light-green arrows). Utilise a chubby flathead screwdriver. Access is tight.

Effigy x Intake: Pull the duct off the throttle housing and remove information technology. Exist conscientious and don't lever on the throttle housing. R56 models take moved to plastic throttle housings. Any excessive pressure in the wrong spot can break them.

Figure 11 Intake: Disconnect the VANOS solenoid electric connector (scarlet pointer). Release the tab (inset) and pull it direct off the solenoid. Pull the tab upward slightly to release information technology.

Figure 12 Intake: Remove the VANOS solenoid 10mm fastener (green arrows). Do non reuse this fastener. Throw it away one time removed and supervene upon it with a new i.

Figure 13 Intake: Pull the solenoid out of the cylinder head. If stuck, utilize a flathead screwdriver to gently lever against the metal subclass on the VANOS solenoid to extract it from the cylinder caput. Be very conscientious not to damage the solenoid or cylinder head when doing this. Pull the VANOS solenoid sensor out of the cylinder head. Have a rag nearby in case some oil drips out of the cylinder head when the sensor is removed. The VANOS solenoid O-ring can stay in the cylinder caput when the solenoid is removed. Exist sure to pull it out before reinstalling the solenoid. Clean the VANOS solenoid and exist certain it is gratuitous of droppings. The all-time way to make clean it is to launder information technology with a cleaner then lightly blow information technology out with compressed air. See Footstep fourteen for more info. Install the VANOS solenoid in the reverse society of removing. Replace the fastener and O-ring every time the sensor is removed from the cylinder caput. Lubricate the O-ring with clean engine oil to facilitate installation.

Figure 14 Cleaning: The all-time style to clean it is to wash it with a cleaner then lightly accident information technology out with compressed air. Employ a cleaner similar brake clean (alcohol based) or soap and water to launder the droppings off the solenoid screen. Then blow the solenoid dry using low-pressure air. In one case dry, install the VANOS solenoid in the contrary gild of removing. Supersede the fastener and O-ring every fourth dimension the sensor is removed from the cylinder head. Lubricate the O-ring with make clean engine oil to facilitate installation.

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How To Properly Repair Vanos Solenoid,

Source: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI_R56/14-FUEL-VANOS_Solenoid_Replacing/14-FUEL-VANOS_Solenoid_Replacing.htm

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