VANOS Valve Actuator Replacement – BMW B46/B48 Turbo 4 Cyl. Engine

September 26, 2023

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VANOS Valve Actuator Replacement – BMW B46/B48 Turbo 4 Cyl. Engine

BMW VANOS stands for Variable Valve Timing System. In layman's terms, it is basically a system that changes the camshaft timing in relation to engine speed by using variable oil pressure. At lower speeds, the VANOS opens the engine valves later creating a smoother and more efficient engine. As engine speed increases, the VANOS opens the valves earlier creating greater torque and better fuel economy. The VANOS valve actuators are simply solenoids that supply the oil pressure necessary to achieve this. When the solenoids fail, there is no more oil pressure and the camshafts stick in a fixed position causing a rough running engine and a dreaded service engine light on your dashboard. The good news is the actuators are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. This article gives detailed instructions on installing VANOS valve actuators in BMW B46/B48 four-cylinder engines.

Not sure which engine you have in your BMW? Use our engine finder tool to easily identify it!

Possible Symptoms: Rough running engine, poor fuel economy, poor performance at all speeds

This repair can be used on the following BMW models:

2013

225i Active Tourer, Cooper S 3 doors,

2014

220i Active Tourer, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 320i Touring, 320iX Touring, 330i Touring, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, JCW 3 doors, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV,

2015

2016

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 125i Sedan, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Touring, 330Li Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX SUV,

2017

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 125i Sedan, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Touring, 330Li Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 20iX SAC, X2 25iX SAC, X2 28i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X2 M35iX SAC, X3 20i (TR12) SUV, X3 20i (TR16) SUV, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 20iX (TR52) SUV, X3 20iX (TR55) SUV, X3 20iX (TR56) SUV, X3 25iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X3 30i SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX (TR95) SUV, X3 30iX (TR96) SUV, X3 30iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 30iX SAC, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 30i Roadster,

2018

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 125i Sedan, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 228iX Gran Coupe, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i 1.6 Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 325Li Sedan, 325LiX Sedan, 325i Sedan, 330Li Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, M135iX 5 doors, M235iX Gran Coupe, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25Li SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 20iX SAC, X2 25i SAC, X2 25iX SAC, X2 28i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X2 M35iX SAC, X3 20i (TR12) SUV, X3 20i (TR16) SUV, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 20iX (TR52) SUV, X3 20iX (TR55) SUV, X3 20iX (TR56) SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 25iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X3 30eX SUV, X3 30i SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX (TR95) SUV, X3 30iX (TR96) SUV, X3 30iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 30iX SAC, X5 30iX SUV, X6 30iX SAC, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 30i Roadster,

2019

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 228iX Gran Coupe, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i 1.6 Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 325Li Sedan, 325LiX Sedan, 325i Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, M135iX 5 doors, M235iX Gran Coupe, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25Li SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 20iX SAC, X2 25i SAC, X2 25iX SAC, X2 28i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X2 M35iX SAC, X3 20i (TR12) SUV, X3 20i (TR16) SUV, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 20iX (TR52) SUV, X3 20iX (TR55) SUV, X3 20iX (TR56) SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 25iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X3 30eX SUV, X3 30i SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX (TR95) SUV, X3 30iX (TR96) SUV, X3 30iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 30iX SAC, X5 30iX SUV, X6 30iX SAC, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 30i Roadster,

2020

320i Sedan, 330e Sedan, 520i Sedan, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV,

Advanced level repair.

Step 1 - Purchase Parts

You will need the following parts and supplies to perform this repair.

VANOS Valve Actuator

Like all mechanical engine parts in your BMW, the VANOS valve actuators have a definitive life span and will eventually fail leaving you with a rough running engine and a big frown on your face. The good news is they are relatively inexpensive. These Genuine BMW actuators are the same factory ones that would be installed at the BMW dealership.

Wiper Arm Puller Tool

Those pesky windshield wiper arms...they seem to always be in the way of some important engine repair on your BMW. This inexpensive tool quickly pulls the wiper arm safely of its motor without breaking it. NEVER try and pry a wiper arm off with a screwdriver prybar...you could seriously damage both the arm and the motor.

Pin Wrench

If you are removing and installing VANOS valve actuators in BMW engines, you must have this tool. The BMW pin wrench easily turns the actuator making removal and installation a snap.

Step 2 - Repair Procedure

Unless otherwise noted, all vehicle repair step images in this article are copyrighted, and used courtesy of BMW of North America, Inc. .

1. Preparing for VANOS valve actuator removal

Remove the acoustic cover from the engine

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- Remove the acoustic engine cover by pulling it up until it releases from its rubber grommets.

View part diagram for this step

VANOS Valve Actuator Replacement – BMW B46/B48 Turbo 4 Cyl. Engine

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- Remove the right cover (2) from the engine compartment by removing the fasteners (1) and unlocking the latch mechanism (3).

View part diagram for this step

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- Remove the left cover (3) from the engine compartment by removing the fasteners (1) and unlocking the latch mechanism (2).

View part diagram for this step

remove the protective caps from the wiper arms

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- Remove the protective cap from the left and right wiper arms and remove the nut below it.

View part diagram for this step

use a wiper arm puller tool to remove the right and left wiper arms

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- Using a wiper arm puller tool, remove the wiper arms from the vehicle.

- If you need a wiper arm removal tool, please see our parts section above.

View part diagram for this step

remove the cowl panel from under the windshield

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- Remove the rivets (1) from top of cowl panel. Loosen the snap fastners (2) by turning counterclockwise 90 degrees. Grasp the cowl cover (3) and remove from vehicle.

View part diagram for this step

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Remove the strut brace by first unsnapping the top bolt cover (1). Remove the two anchor bolts.

Next, remove the two bolts anchoring the strut to the body of the vehicle (2).

Remove the strut brace from the engine compartment.

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detach the positive battery cable and remove the engine sealing gasket

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- Detach the positive battery cable from the sealing gasket (2).

- Remove the anchor rivet (1).

- Remove the sealing gasket in the direction shown in image (2).

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- Remove the upper firewall cover (2) by removing its screws (1).

View part diagram for this step

remove the bolts anchoring the right engine partition

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- Remove the two torx bolts anchoring the right engine partition to the firewall.

View part diagram for this step

remove the body nuts anchoring the engine partition

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- Remove the three nuts anchoring the left and right engine partitions to the firewall.

- Grasp the right engine partition and remove it from the engine compartment.

View part diagram for this step

2. Replacing the VANOS valve actuators

Technical Information

The VANOS valve actuators are located on the rear of the engine. The BMW Repair Guide strongly recommends using a BMW pin wrench (part #83302360895) to remove and install the actuators. If you need this tool, please see our parts block above.