2A87 when engine is hot. Ex Vanos, cam ledges help

[colo_evo]

Short specs on the subject vehicle:
66k miles
Flash tune only for the last 20k miles (using COBB ots vanos tables) no bolt on's, never had bolt on's
6 speed
Oil changed religiously every 3-4k miles and used quality synthetic 5w-30
Sport edition (oem oil cooler)

Issue first came about during an autocross event 2 years ago during the summer where when oil temps started going above 230. The code kept popping up more and more frequently throughout the day and made the car virtually un-driveable near the end. This wouldn't throw a SES incicator but would disable boost solenoids and i'd see the the engine image in the dash display.

This issue only comes about when really beating on the car, like over 4000rpm for extended periods of time. If driving like a normal person code doesn't appear.

I've verified logs where commanded vs actual exhaust timing isn't mirroring closely compared to intake sides, so i believe the code to be an indicator of a real issue.

What are my options here? I've seen lots of threads where people replace vanos solenoid just to eventually rip into the engine to replace the cam ledges, as they're usually the culprit. I don't want to tear into the engine to replace those, nor do i want to pay somebody to do the work.

Is there an easy fix? Has anybody tired moving to a higher weight oil? Am I able to disable the code or open up the window before it throws the code in tunerpro? I've searched my xdf and cannot find anything related to 2A87. If the exhaust cam is out 10 degrees i could care less, this isn't a race car i'm trying to break records with, its a daily driver. As long as the valves don't kiss the piston i'll be happy.

 

[Bmwfixerguy1]

First and forw start by pulling the oil filter cap off and make sure you or who ever change your oil didn't throw the internal section of cap away. Thanks part with the little green o rings

 

[colo_evo]

First and forw start by pulling the oil filter cap off and make sure you or who ever change your oil didn't throw the internal section of cap away. Thanks part with the little green o rings

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll check to make sure that's still present.

Here's a screenshot of vanos control. Notice how far out the exhaust is compared to intake.

 

[tony@codewerx]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll check to make sure that's still present.

Here's a screenshot of vanos control. Notice how far out the exhaust is compared to intake.

Shoudn’t you be looking at the req vs act of the timings ?

Check the vanos filters for a start. And then swap the vanos solenoids around and see if there’s any changes.

 

[Rob09msport]

Shoudn’t you be looking at the req vs act of the timings ?

Check the vanos filters for a start. And then swap the vanos solenoids around and see if there’s any changes.

He did in his first post he said he is 10 degrees off req vs actual

 

[tony@codewerx]

He did in his first post he said he is 10 degrees off req vs actual

His screenshot does not show that it’s 10degrees off.

 

[colo_evo]

His screenshot does not show that it’s 10degrees off.

The cursor isn't showing a section where ex timing is off but later on in the log a delta of +10 can be seen. Req is straight while act looks like a sawtooth.

Attached is another screenshot where the delta is over 12 degrees.

 

[TWilly]

did OP fix the concern? im having the same issue. I cleaned and swapped the solenoids and code stayed the same. I change my oil about every 3.5 - 4k miles and im coming up on 4k think ill do an oil change and see if that helps. seems unlikely. are cam ledges usually the issue? or they replaceable or only with a cylinder head?

 

[doublespaces]

did OP fix the concern? im having the same issue. I cleaned and swapped the solenoids and code stayed the same. I change my oil about every 3.5 - 4k miles and im coming up on 4k think ill do an oil change and see if that helps. seems unlikely. are cam ledges usually the issue? or they replaceable or only with a cylinder head?

They can be replaced but they aren't cheap. What year was your block produced?

 

[TWilly]

They can be replaced but they aren't cheap. What year was your block produced?

Not sure. I guess id have to look at the ID tag on the block?

 

[doublespaces]

Not sure. I guess id have to look at the ID tag on the block?

Unless you know the production date of your vehicle and know the engine hasn't been replaced. After a certain date, around 2009 or so, the cam ledges were less prone to damage due to having plastic rectaring thingies. I don't know what I'm talking about really, but its something to consider if you're having vanos problems or think you might have cam ledge damage.

 

[doublespaces]

@Alex@abrhouston

 

[Alex@abrhouston]

Cam ledges are typically the issue at hand.

 

[rac]

Issue first came about during an autocross event 2 years ago during the summer where when oil temps started going above 230.
.....
This issue only comes about when really beating on the car, like over 4000rpm for extended periods of time. If driving like a normal person code doesn't appear.
....
Is there an easy fix? Has anybody tired moving to a higher weight oil?
.....

Yeah motul 300v chrono 10w40 solved the exact same problem for me years ago. It's more about the viscosity at elevated temperatures that's the problem. Also stopped significant oil consumption on track days. Bit late to this thread but anyway, good oil has since kept a brand new set of spare solenoids in their boxes and long forgotten about somewhere in the garage....

 

[Rcboosted2007]

Had this issue and they replaced the gears,bearings, and then retimed it. The shop did oil changes, sensors and all the bulletin routine. Then solved with this

 

[colo_evo]

Wanted to update the post. The hot ambient temps made the dtc come back more frequently. It finally started happening every 100miles or so. Finally changed out the exhaust ledge and put new seals on both intake and exhaust cams. Decided not to change the intake ledge since I'd never seen that dtc come up.

So far the req vs act exhaust cam timing looks better. Only driven 10-15 miles so far.

 

[Arhoads335i]

Having the same problem here but my req vs actual look much closer than his when fixed?

 

[colo_evo]

Having the same problem here but my req vs actual look much closer than his when fixed?

Have you captured a log when the cel is activated?

 

[alighannad]

Have you captured a log when the cel is activated?

hi
i have this problem
is your issue fix??