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When driving your BMW around town, the last thing you want to think about is your engine valves malfunctioning, but they’re an essential part of making sure your BMW is at peak performance. The VANOS system is one of the integral systems in your BMW. Let’s take a closer look at how to tell when it’s becoming faulty and what to do if you need to get it replaced.

The VANOS System

VANOS is short for the German phrase “Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung,” which means “variable camshaft control” or “variable valve timing.” To put it simply, the VANOS system is what controls the intake and exhaust valves in your BMW’s engine. These valves open and close as needed to give the car a smoother idle, higher torque, and a more efficient engine in general.

The VANOS system is something that was created by BMW specifically for their cars, and not all BMWs share the same kind of VANOS system. In fact, there are three different kinds: single VANOS, double VANOS, and double VANOS with Valvetronic. As a BMW owner, you need to know what happens when the system you have fails. Since all three variations of the VANOS system show their failure in similar ways, you don’t need to specifically know your type.

Warning Signs of a Failing VANOS System

As is the case with many car problems, the VANOS system can disguise its symptoms until the problem has reached a critical point. This is why preventive maintenance is so important.

In the case of the VANOS system, it’s recommended that you get the seals replaced every 50,000 miles and that you replace the entire system every 70,000, regardless of whether you notice any issues. The reason is even if you don’t see any obvious problems with your car’s performance, it may be operating at a lower efficiency than its manufactured design. This means you will likely be filling up more often than you would at the gas station if the vehicle was at its best and performing to BMW standards.

Sometimes, however, you will be able to observe some of these warning signs. Here are some of the most common symptoms that may indicate a failing VANOS system:

● idling is rough
● lower fuel economy
● engine loses power or hesitates when at a lower RPM
● engine misfires
● stalling when it is cold outside
● check engine light comes on
● reduced power after a quick acceleration
● problems with cold starts

If any of these warning signs start happening, you should take your BMW into the shop as soon as you can, whether or not you’ve reached that 50,000 or 70,000 mile benchmark.

When you visit a shop, make sure it’s a reputable car mechanic with a good track record and extensive experience with BMWs and VANOS systems in particular. As mentioned earlier, the VANOS system is unique to BMWs, so it’s not advisable to attempt to fix it yourself unless you have previous mechanical experience and familiarity with working on BMWs.

The VANOS system is very closely situated next to the engine, and a botched repair job on it could lead to much bigger and more expensive engine problems later on. It’s not worth the risk to DIY or trust an unqualified mechanic.

Where to Get Trusted Help

The best place to go when your BMW’s VANOS system needs replacement is an experienced mechanic who knows BMWs very well. If you live in Texas near College Station or its neighboring towns such as Brenham, Bryan, Caldwell, Madisonville, or Navasota, Autowerks is the perfect place. We’re a family-owned, independent automotive service facility that specializes in European import automobiles, such as BMWs.

When you bring your vehicle into Autowerks, you can expect quick and efficient service from friendly, experienced mechanics who are well-versed in the unique individualities of European automobiles but without the exorbitant price tag of a dealership.

If you’d like to learn more about our services or if you want to bring your BMW in for repairs or maintenance, feel free to call, email, or visit us in person at our College Station location. We’d love to get to know you. We look forward to earning your repeat patronage in the future.