Table of Contents

VANOS
Subject

Page

VANOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Solenoid Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Intake Solenoid Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Exhaust Solenoid Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Camshaft Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Intake Camshaft Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Exhaust Camshaft Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
VANOS Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
VANOS N55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
VANOS Solenoid Valves (N55) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Cam Sensor Wheels (N55) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
VANOS N63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
VANOS N74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Initial Print Date: 03/11

Revision Date:

VANOS
Model: All
Production: All

After completion of this module you will be able to:

Using the Status requests (cam sensors) identify whether or not the
VANOS Solenoids are adjusting the Cam Timing.
Explain why it is necessary to check engine timing when the VANOS
system is faulted.
Explain how oil condition, level and pressure affect VANOS operation.
Using an ISID, IMIB and ETM properly check the VANOS circuit electrically.
Locate and identify the components used for VANOS operation.

2
VANOS

VANOS
Introduction
Performance, torque, idle characteristics and exhaust emissions reduction are improved
by Variable Camshaft Timing. The VANOS system is currently used in all BMW
engines.
The Vanos units are mounted directly on the front of the camshafts and adjusts the
timing of the Intake and Exhaust camshafts throughout the entire spread range from
retarded to advanced. The ECM controls the operation of the VANOS solenoids which
regulates the oil pressure required to move the VANOS units. Engine rpm, load and
temperature are used to determine VANOS activation.
N52 VANOS units

The VANOS mechanical operation is dependent on engine oil pressure applied to

position the VANOS units. When oil pressure is applied to the units (via ports in the
camshafts regulated by the solenoids), the camshaft hubs are rotated in the drive
sprockets changing the position which advances/retards the intake/exhaust camshafts
timing. The VANOS system is fully variable. When the ECM detects that the
camshafts are in the optimum positions, the solenoids maintain oil pressure on the units
to hold the camshaft timing.
The operation of the VANOS solenoids are monitored in accordance with the OBD II
requirements for emission control. The ECM monitors the final stage output control and
the signals from the Camshaft Position Sensors for VANOS operation.
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VANOS

Solenoid Valves
The VANOS solenoid valves are mounted through the front of the cylinder head. There
are two solenoids, one for the intake VANOS and one for the exhaust. The solenoids
control the oil flow to the camshaft ports for the intake and exhaust VANOS units.
The 4/3 way proportional solenoid valve is activated by the ECM to direct oil flow. The
solenoid valve is sealed to the head by a radial seal and secured by a retaining plate.

The variable camshaft control serves the purpose of increasing torque in the lower and
medium engine speed ranges. The VANOS solenoid valve activates the VANOS adjustment unit on the intake side. The VANOS solenoid valves are driven by the ECM control
unit.
The VANOS solenoid valve is connected by means of two lines to the ECM. The ECM
control unit activates the VANOS solenoid valve as required.
Activation takes place pulse-width modulated with system voltage. PWM activation
means that the actuator piston can be controlled in any position, making exact positioning of the VANOS unit possible.
Intake Solenoid Valve
The intake VANOS solenoid valve is responsible for controlling the timing of the intake
camshaft.
Exhaust Solenoid Valve
The exhaust VANOS solenoid valve is responsible for controlling the timing of the
exhaust camshaft.

4
VANOS

Camshaft Sensors
There are two camshaft sensors, one for the intake camshaft and one for the exhaust.
They are mounted at the front of the cylinder head and monitor the impulse wheels
which are bolted to the front of the VANOS units.
The sensors are supplied power via the engine electronics fuses. Ground is supplied via
the ECM. The sensors are hall effect and provide the ECM with a 5 volt square wave
signal.
The camshaft sensor operates in accordance with the Hall principle and it is used for
detecting the camshaft position. A camshaft sensor wheel is mounted on the camshaft
for this purpose.
With the aid of the camshaft sensor, the ECM can determine whether the cylinder is in
the compression cycle or in the charge cycle.
This deduction cannot be made from the crankshaft position. The corresponding
assignment is necessary for the purpose of controlling the fuel injection and ignition
accordingly.
Camshaft Sensor

Camshaft Sensor Wheel

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VANOS

A further task of the sensor is to provide feedback relating to the camshaft position for
VANOS control. In this way, the ECM can regulate the camshaft position based on a
characteristic map with the aid of a VANOS solenoid valve.
The ECM supplies the sensor with a 5V voltage and ground. The sensor sends a digital
signal via the signal line to the ECM.
The camshaft sensor operates corresponding to the same principle as the crankshaft
sensor. The camshaft sensor wheel however, is fundamentally different. A special aperture pattern facilitates emergency operation in the event of the crankshaft sensor failing.
The resolution of the camshaft sensor signal, however, is too inaccurate to replace the
crankshaft sensor during normal operation.
Intake Camshaft Sensor
The sensor for the intake camshaft has the following tasks:
Detection of the camshaft allocation with respect to the crankshaft (cylinder compression cycle or cylinder charge cycle).
Positioning the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft for VANOS adjustment.
With the aid of the sensor, the ECM can determine the position of the intake camshaft
with respect to the crankshaft and adjust the camshaft with the aid of VANOS corresponding to ECM requirements.
Exhaust Camshaft Sensor
An exhaust camshaft sensor is also used. With the aid of the sensor, the ECM can determine the position of the exhaust camshaft with respect to the crankshaft and adjust the
camshaft with the aid of VANOS corresponding to ECM requirements.

6
VANOS

VANOS Units
The infinitely variable double VANOS system uses a hydraulic oscillating motor type
VANOS units for the intake and the exhaust cams. Although they have identical function,
the oscillating motor VANOS units are a further development of the variable vane type
motor VANOS units used on previous systems. They are designed as an integrated
component in the chain drive and are mounted with a central bolt on the respective
camshaft. When de-pressurized, a coil spring holds the VANOS unit in the base position.
N52 Hydraulic oscillating motor/VANOS unit
Index

Explanation

Front plate

Locking pin

Oil channel

Casing with ring gear

Pressure chamber for advancing

Oscillating rotor

Pressure chamber for retarding

Oil channel

The VANOS units are controlled by oil pressure from the 4/3 proportional solenoid
valves. The valves are located in the front of the cylinder head and are controlled by the
ECM. The ECM regulates the VANOS based on factors such as engine RPM, load and
coolant temperature.
N52 VANOS system

Index

Explanation

VANOS unit, Exhaust

VANOS unit, intake

Intake camshaft sensor

Exhaust camshaft sensor

VANOS solenoid valve

VANOS solenoid valve

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VANOS

The infinitely variable double VANOS system was first introduced on the
M52B20TU engine. The design is similar to that of two-setting intake VANOS; the main
difference is that in addition to the timing of the intake camshaft, the timing of the
exhaust camshaft can also be varied. The system allows for infinite variation of timing of
both camshafts according to the control commands from the engine management ECM.
The advantages of infinitely variable double VANOS are:
Higher torque at low and medium engine speeds
Smaller quantity of residual exhaust when idling due to smaller valve overlap resulting in improved idling
Internal exhaust recirculation in the medium power band in order to reduce nitrogen
oxide emissions
Faster warm-up of catalytic converters and lower raw emission levels after a cold
start
Reduction of fuel consumption
The possible adjustment range of the double VANOS system is clearly identifiable by the
blue/red shaded areas
The infinitely variable double VANOS system is used on all current
engines. The only change to the system is that each engine uses different spread ranges (check engine specifications for the individual
cam spread).
As with previous systems, the VANOS units should not be mixed up
as the spread ranges for the intake and exhaust are different and
engine damage could result.

8
VANOS

VANOS N55
The VANOS system has been optimized to provide even faster adjustment speeds of
the VANOS units. The aluminum VANOS units are much lighter and are also less susceptible to soiling. It can be seen by comparing the N54 VANOS system with the N55
VANOS that fewer oil passages are required and that the non-return valves are no longer
on the cylinder head but rather incorporated into the solenoid valves on N55.
N55, VANOS with oil supply

Index

Explanation

Main oil duct

VANOS solenoid valve, intake side

VANOS solenoid valve, exhaust side

Chain tensioner

VANOS adjustment unit, exhaust side

VANOS adjustment unit, intake side

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VANOS

N55 valve timing diagram

N54B30O0

N55B30M0

Intake valve

[mm]

31.4

32

Exhaust valve

[mm]

28

28

Maximum valve lift, intake

valve/exhaust valve

[mm]

9.7/9.7

9.9/9.7

Intake camshaft spread (VANOS

adjustment range)

[crankshaft]

55

70

Exhaust camshaft spread (VANOS

adjustment range)

[crankshaft]

45

55

Intake camshaft opening angle

(max.-min. spread)

[crankshaft]

125 - 70

120 - 50

Exhaust camshaft opening angle

(max.-min. spread)

[crankshaft]

130 - 85

115 - 60

Opening period intake camshaft

[crankshaft]

245

255

Opening period exhaust camshaft

[crankshaft]

261

261

The N55 has a larger intake and exhaust VANOS adjustment range as
well as larger intake valve lift, and cam duration than the N54 engine.

10
VANOS

VANOS Solenoid Valves (N55)

The non-return valve with screen filter used on the N54 engine have now been integrated in the VANOS solenoid valves on the N55 engine. This measure has made it possible
to reduce the number of oil ducts in the cylinder head. The screen filters on the VANOS
solenoid valve ensure trouble-free operation and reliably prevent the VANOS solenoid
valve from sticking due to dirt particles.
Cam Sensor Wheels (N55)
The sensor wheels are now deep-drawn sheet metal components and no longer made
from two parts. This design increases production accuracy while reducing manufacturing
costs.
N55, camshaft sensor wheel

Index

Explanation

Rear View

Front view

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VANOS

VANOS N63
The charge cycle in the N63 engine is realized
with four valves per cylinder, which are driven by
two overhead camshafts.
The engine timing can be variably influenced by
means of the two infinitely variable VANOS units.
The VANOS units used here have the following
timing angles:
Intake VANOS unit: 50 crankshaft angle
Exhaust VANOS unit: 50 crankshaft angle
The VANOS units on the N63 engine differ from the VANOS units on the N62 engine.
The function is identical but some components have been omitted and the VANOS unit
has been optimized.
On the N63 engine, the individual vanes of the VANOS unit are no longer individual parts
but rather they have been further developed to form an oscillating rotor (as on the N52
engine).
The torsion spring integrated in the N62 VANOS unit is now designed as a coil spring
accommodated on the front of the N63 VANOS unit protected by a plastic cover.

VANOS N74
Like all current BMW gasoline engines, the N74 engine is also equipped with variable
double VANOS. The VANOS units are common parts shared with the N63 engine, with
the exception of the intake unit on cylinder bank though this is also designed to the
same principle, it features a drive flange with a slot for the vacuum pump. The N74 uses
two VANOS non-return valves, they are now integrated into the VANOS solenoid valves.
The VANOS units have the following adjustment angles:
VANOS unit intake: 50 crank angle
VANOS unit exhaust: 50 crank angle

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VANOS