Timing for BMW Z4 M Roadster S54 (2003-2008)

Located at the end of the pressure limiting valve. This prevents contaminants from damaging the VANOS system.

GENUINE BMW VANOS FILTER CARTRIDGE

We sell this part with the required gasket Here

The main reason all of the VANOS units will eventually fail is because the material used for the sealing rings from the factory is not designed for that type of environment. When this happens the only option that BMW leaves you with is buying a new and expensive VANOS unit with the same sealing rings that failed in your original unit.

The VANOS system found in BMW engines is a great feature (when it’s working properly), keeping your power curve smooth and responsive especially in lower to mid RPM range. What usually goes unnoticed is the gradual loss of power within this range as the vehicle's age due to slowly failing seals within the VANOS unit. The way the VANOS system works is based off of oil pressure triggered by a solenoid that allows for a small range of timing degree adjustment, this is where the power curve is affected. When the seals begin to fail (all of them do) there is less pressure to advance the timing reducing the power in that low to mid range. Because this happens slowly it's very hard to notice a difference until you refresh your VANOS unit, then you easily realize the response you've been missing.

There are a number of symptoms that will plague your car as a result of these failing seals such as erratic idle, engine hesitation, stalling, and increased fuel consumption to name a few. If you've been chasing down any of these symptoms with no fix then this could be your issue.

While you're replacing the seals in your VANOS unit it a good time to install anti-rattle spacers to tighten up the gaps in your stock assembly and get rid of that noisy VANOS clatter.

Seals & O-rings:

The seals  were the main focus of this project since the OE units are built with Buna-N rubber o-rings instead of the ECS supplied Viton rubber o-rings. The Buna-N material quickly hardens from the heat and chemical exposure within the engine, where the Viton is significantly more resistant to these chemicals. This knowledge was also used when it came to the commonly failed o-rings found on the VANOS seal plate, replaced at the solenoid.

Rattle Repair:

When it comes to the VANOS rattle this is commonly described as "marbles in a can", and can be heard throughout the different RPM ranges depending on the engine. These upgraded rings and washers are precision ground from hardened steel to resist wear and deformation keeping your VANOS rattle free. The rattle repair tools are designed specifically for this VANOS anti-rattle repair, design from hardened steel to stand up to the job. Designed to perfectly follow the splines of the shaft for a tight grip when applying the necessary torque to disassemble & reassemble the VANOS transfer gear. The keyed socket was designed with the intent to use a "common" wrench so this can be completed at home in your garage.    

When Servicing your VANOS unit we recommend getting everything you need to replace on the way to service which includes an oil change and valve cover gasket set. Fresh oil and gaskets is the best way to start off a fresh rebuild of any kind giving you the maximum performance of your freshly serviced components.

Don't forget to check out our rebuild PDF to make sure you have everything to get the job done and eliminate the rebuild guess work.

This item fits the following BMWs: 
2000-2001 E46 3 Series M3 M3 Convertible 2000-2006 
2001-2002 Z3 Roadster / Coupe Z3 M Roadster Z3 M Coupe w S54 Engine 
2006-2008 E86 E86 Z4 Z4 M Roadster Z4 M Coupe

VAC's S54 Vanos Hub is designed as a direct replacement for the fragile BMW OE Vanos Hub which typically fails due to a broken drive pin. The VAC Hub has an Upgraded Drive Pin design, which is larger in diameter, as well as more material on the outside wall of the pin. In addition, the hub is made from 4340HT Billet Bar and heat treated to the same BMW OE Rockwell Hardness spec. The upgraded design is not only significantly stronger, but the larger diameter Drive Pins also minimize the huge clearance (approximately 1mm) that was in the original design by BMW and reduces the clearance to 0.2mm. This is critical in helping greatly reduce or eliminate the VANOS noise.

Also, this upgraded design eliminates the need for modifying the Pump Ring or having to buy a replacement, which further saves you money!!!

If your VANOS system is leaking, replace the gasket to restore the tight seal. An oil leak here will cause a significant amount of oil to leak down the front of the engine and if isn't fixed, could potentially lead to issues with the VANOS system itself.

Elring is one of the biggest OEM names in the manufacturing of high quality gaskets that are available for very affordable prices. Elring has supplied many automotive names for years with the gaskets that seal your car's components from day 1 so you can rest assured that these components will last for a long time to come!

Fits these BMW engines:
S54 3.2L

When doing any sort of repair or maintenance there is no replacement for genuine factory parts. Turner Motorsport carries the Genuine BMW brand with pride and has the parts you need to complete your next project with confidence.

Genuine BMW Screw Plug With Gasket Ring -
This item fits the following BMW Chassis:
E39,E46,E53 X5,E83 X3,E85

Fits BMW Engines including:
M52,M54,M56