2011 528i N52 Vanos Problems

HKgoespewpew · 09-10-2023, 11:10 PM

Greetings, I am looking to purchase a 2011 528i with 94k miles. The seller has all service records and the only red flag I found was this one from 2019 when it had 87k miles. I asked if anything had been replaced looking for the normal answers ( VC gasket, OFH gasket, water pump, etc.) He mentioned the VC was replaced and in the records, I found this noted by the shop. The camshaft solenoid was also replaced.

CUSTOMER REQUESTED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS
1) DME: VANOS INLET CONTROL FAULT POSITION NOT REACHED. 131508 VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING CONTROL VANOS INTAKE COLD START NOT CONTROLLABLE. 140502, 302, 202, 002, 102, 602 CYLINDER MISFIRES. 128902 OXYGEN SENSOR BEFORE CAT DYNAMICS SLOW RESPONSE. 128A02 OXYGEN SENSOR 2 BEFORE CAT CONVERTER DYNAMICS SLOW RESPONSE
2) REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. STILL RUNNING BADLY. THE VALVE COVER BREATHER ASSEMBLY IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CREATING EXCESSIVE VACUUM NI ENGINE. THEN CLEAR FAULTS AND RE-TEST.
3) REPLACE COVER AND SOLENOID. VEHICLE SI RUNNING MUCH BETTER. HOWEVER, THE VANOS INLET FAULT IS RETURNING. ADDED SOME DETERGENT TO THE ENGINE OIL. WILL HAVE TO SEE FI THAT HELPS. MAY NEED VANOS GEAR.

Since then (2019 and 7k miles more) I have not found any mention of the issue. I am not an expert but this would be my second N52 and have watched enough DIY videos in order to spot and fix the common issues myself. This is the first time I have heard of this one. Does anyone have any input or experience with this issue? Thank You.

StradaRedlands · 09-11-2023, 12:23 AM

Definitely try to get some resolution on that. The last sentence is the kicker: MAY NEED VANOS GEAR. It could be the N52 VANOS bolt problem as well, with same basic fix.

HKgoespewpew · 09-15-2023, 11:00 PM

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, the seller backed out of the deal and gave the car to a family member as a present. Might have dodged a bullet but we will never know. Instead I went with my second option which is 92k 2013 740I, just had the inspection done today.

StradaRedlands · 09-18-2023, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKgoespewpew

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, the seller backed out of the deal and gave the car to a family member as a present. Might have dodged a bullet but we will never know. Instead I went with my second option which is 92k 2013 740I, just had the inspection done today.

Nice, hope the Big 7 works out great for you! They are nice cars!

09-10-2023, 11:10 PM	#1
HKgoespewpew New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 740i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	2011 528i N52 Vanos Problems Greetings, I am looking to purchase a 2011 528i with 94k miles. The seller has all service records and the only red flag I found was this one from 2019 when it had 87k miles. I asked if anything had been replaced looking for the normal answers ( VC gasket, OFH gasket, water pump, etc.) He mentioned the VC was replaced and in the records, I found this noted by the shop. The camshaft solenoid was also replaced. CUSTOMER REQUESTED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS 1) DME: VANOS INLET CONTROL FAULT POSITION NOT REACHED. 131508 VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING CONTROL VANOS INTAKE COLD START NOT CONTROLLABLE. 140502, 302, 202, 002, 102, 602 CYLINDER MISFIRES. 128902 OXYGEN SENSOR BEFORE CAT DYNAMICS SLOW RESPONSE. 128A02 OXYGEN SENSOR 2 BEFORE CAT CONVERTER DYNAMICS SLOW RESPONSE 2) REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. STILL RUNNING BADLY. THE VALVE COVER BREATHER ASSEMBLY IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CREATING EXCESSIVE VACUUM NI ENGINE. THEN CLEAR FAULTS AND RE-TEST. 3) REPLACE COVER AND SOLENOID. VEHICLE SI RUNNING MUCH BETTER. HOWEVER, THE VANOS INLET FAULT IS RETURNING. ADDED SOME DETERGENT TO THE ENGINE OIL. WILL HAVE TO SEE FI THAT HELPS. MAY NEED VANOS GEAR. Since then (2019 and 7k miles more) I have not found any mention of the issue. I am not an expert but this would be my second N52 and have watched enough DIY videos in order to spot and fix the common issues myself. This is the first time I have heard of this one. Does anyone have any input or experience with this issue? Thank You.
	Appreciate 1 StradaRedlands4992.50 Tweet Quote

09-11-2023, 12:23 AM	#2
StradaRedlands Brigadier General 4993 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.21] 2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [7.90] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.63] 2011 BMW 528i [8.75] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50]	Definitely try to get some resolution on that. The last sentence is the kicker: MAY NEED VANOS GEAR. It could be the N52 VANOS bolt problem as well, with same basic fix.
	Appreciate 1 HKgoespewpew3.00 Quote

09-15-2023, 11:00 PM	#3
HKgoespewpew New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 740i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, the seller backed out of the deal and gave the car to a family member as a present. Might have dodged a bullet but we will never know. Instead I went with my second option which is 92k 2013 740I, just had the inspection done today.
	Appreciate 1 StradaRedlands4992.50 Quote