VANOS seals and Valve Cover gasket

I had a leak from VCG and decided to do the VANOS seals on my 323Ci with 185K miles. I really was not having issues with VANOS (no cold start idle problems) but I thought while I had everything apart I would do it. I attached a few photos and am pleased with the condition of the engine with my mileage.
I was on the fence on whether to go with Beisan seals or a VANOS rebuild/core swap -- decided on Beisan and glad I did so. Saved alot of money and the repair was quite straight forward and did not add much time in my opinion.
I have 200 + miles on the new seals and the improvement I feel is more even power in the 2000-3000 rpm range; I now seem to get through the low gears more quickly now.

Engine looks darn clean for that mileage.

Are you the original owner? Oil change intervals?

Yes, I concur with the engine condition.
I am the second owner -- I got the car with 160K miles. I knew the original owner and have all service records; he followed BMW recommended oil change interval of every 15K miles.
Since I owned, I do every 7500 miles.

Originally Posted by jjbaldas

Yes, I concur with the engine condition.
I am the second owner -- I got the car with 160K miles. I knew the original owner and have all service records; he followed BMW recommended oil change interval of every 15K miles.
Since I owned, I do every 7500 miles.

Nice. What oil have you been using? Dealer oil or other?

I have been using Mobil-1 0W-40 European Formula. I believe the previous owner used dealer oil until end of warranty (many years ago now) and then Mobil-1.
I like the results and will be sticking with Mobil-1.

Good job !

Wow! That is clean for the mileage...

Congrats. I am getting ready to do this in a few weeks. My VCG leaks badly and I want to do the both (VCG and Vanos) at the same time. I am going to use Beisan seals as well.
After replacing the Vanos seals, have you experienced any hickups or weirdness during the first few hours/100 miles etc?
I heard that it would take a while for the seals to get broken in properly and make the car run smooth.
I even read one post where the owner was experiencing severe idle hesitation after the Vanos seal replacement. I wonder if this is typical.

I did not experience any hiccups. I do think that the performance improved (better power at low rpm's) after 200 + miles were put on.
But no idle issues or any other weird problems after Vanos seal replacement.
It is not a difficult DIY -- my recommendation is you take your time and don't worry about finishing up quickly. Also, since is it fairly cold up here in PA now, I left plenty of time for the RTV to cure before running the engine.

Thank you.
I already have the valve cover gasket set. I will be ordering the Beisan seals soon. I will have Red RTV as well. Do I need anything else for this job?

OEMbimmerparts listed this below item. It seems, it will be required to get this DIY done. And Beisan kit doesn't mention this.
Did you use this stuff?

http://www.oembimmerparts.com/produc...1433817e46.htm

Originally Posted by iskoos

OEMbimmerparts listed this below item. It seems, it will be required to get this DIY done. And Beisan kit doesn't mention this.
Did you use this stuff?

http://www.oembimmerparts.com/produc...1433817e46.htm

It's in the first photo in the Beisan how-to article. If you're going to remove the VANOS unit, you'll need to replace the metal profile gasket and the two crush washers for the oil hose.

iskoos, yep I Concur with G.P. Burdell -- I purchased the exact item indicated in your oembimmerparts link.

Amazingly clean for initially using 15K oil changes! You are wise to now change it every 7.5K. The way that engine looks, you will probably make it to 300K!

Thanks, that is my goal!

Originally Posted by SJBimmer

The way that engine looks, you will probably make it to 300K!

Probably selling these engines short. A buddy just sold his 2000 328i that had 340k miles on it and still ran strong.

Originally Posted by G. P. Burdell

It's in the first photo in the Beisan how-to article. If you're going to remove the VANOS unit, you'll need to replace the metal profile gasket and the two crush washers for the oil hose.

Thanks. It's been a while since I looked at the Beisan instructions. I forgot that 1st picture.
I went through the pictures real quick. I will order a few more parts I wasn't planing to order. I will try to order those left-hand threaded bolts incase one of them breaks during removal.
I only have one vehicle and I need to make sure I have everything in my garage to finish the project over one weekend.

Originally Posted by smolck

Probably selling these engines short. A buddy just sold his 2000 328i that had 340k miles on it and still ran strong.

That's amazing! I wish the rest of the car would hold up as well. I really can't complain though, other than a battery, belts and CAB's I haven't had to do anything to my car, but I'm a maintenance fanatic.

Well done, I hope mine looks like this when I do the VCG and VANOS. Owned the vehicle since 2004 and have meticulously maintained the 323