Advice (VANOS/service related)

[Hawkeye]

So, here is the deal. My SES light came on last week so I scheduled an appointment. Codes said it was a VANOS issue and they reccommended a flush (they said with something similar to seafoam but BMW reccemmended). They also apparently deemed it necessary to perform an oil change (for $122) with this service. First question, do you HAVE to do an oil change with this flush. It was rang up as a separate service so I don't think so. I just had my last oil change in October which cost ($90) and it was not covered under warranty since they had conveniently changed their service policy and I had driven 8,000 miles since my oil change in October of 2009.

So, they decided to do another oil change, charge me more than usual for it even though it has only been 1.5 months and ~1,000 miles since my last oil change I paid for.

They said the flush worked and everything was cheddar, so I was happy, no more codes. On my drive home the SES light comes back on. They seem to think the VANOS will need to be replaced now since the flush did not work. Does anyone on here have any suggestions. I have completely lost faith in my dealer at this point.

[thekurgan]

If the "flush" worked, sounds like they figured you had some sludge buildup? I call BS on the need for an engine flush, they should have addressed the VANOS first if it was the first issue discovered, no?

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

So, here is the deal. My SES light came on last week so I scheduled an appointment. Codes said it was a VANOS issue and they reccommended a flush (they said with something similar to seafoam but BMW reccemmended). They also apparently deemed it necessary to perform an oil change (for $122) with this service. First question, do you HAVE to do an oil change with this flush. It was rang up as a separate service so I don't think so. I just had my last oil change in October which cost ($90) and it was not covered under warranty since they had conveniently changed their service policy and I had driven 8,000 miles since my oil change in October of 2009.

So, they decided to do another oil change, charge me more than usual for it even though it has only been 1.5 months and ~1,000 miles since my last oil change I paid for.

They said the flush worked and everything was cheddar, so I was happy, no more codes. On my drive home the SES light comes back on. They seem to think the VANOS will need to be replaced now since the flush did not work. Does anyone on here have any suggestions. I have completely lost faith in my dealer at this point.

Your car is still under warranty if I am reading your post correctly. Why would you be charged for an oil change if it was related to the VANOS issue(it was worked on under the warranty right?) I would refuse to pay for anything related to the SES light. It is the dealers decision to add extra services(at their expense...)

[esqu1re]

Yeah, it should be covered under warranty.

[onebluemcm]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

If the "flush" worked, sounds like they figured you had some sludge buildup? I call BS on the need for an engine flush, they should have addressed the VANOS first if it was the first issue discovered, no?

+1 sounds sketchy, flush for a VANOS problem. And what is "VANOS problem" anyway, that is vague - they should be able to tell you more specifically what the code indicated.

[Hawkeye]

Oh sorry. My last oil change was in October at 49,750 miles and I am currently at 50,500 miles and my first Service Engine Soon light appearance. Another reason I am so aggrevated.

I will type in more detail what the sheet said the issue was when I get home.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Oh sorry. My last oil change was in October at 49,750 miles and I am currently at 50,500 miles and my first Service Engine Soon light appearance. Another reason I am so aggrevated.

I will type in more detail what the sheet said the issue was when I get home.

So you are just out of warranty... They should be giving you a goodwill repair on this one.

[pokeybritches]

What were the codes?

[Hawkeye]

This dealer is apparently not the goodwill type, or at least this new SA isnt. The last SA was awesome, and was the reason I switched all of my vehicles to their service department. Oh well.

I will look and let you know the codes when I get home, not positive if they noted them though.

[O-cha]

Ummm.... what did they flush.... I will bet one of my little guys you got ripped off....

Sorry. Dealers are the least trustworthy of any.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

So, here is the deal. My SES light came on last week so I scheduled an appointment. Codes said it was a VANOS issue and they reccommended a flush.............
They said the flush worked and everything was cheddar, so I was happy, no more codes. On my drive home the SES light comes back on. They seem to think the VANOS will need to be replaced now since the flush did not work. Does anyone on here have any suggestions. I have completely lost faith in my dealer at this point.

It sure did.
They flushed your wallet.

[Hawkeye]

Okay, apparently they did not note the code but the writeup on my work says this...

"Short tested, recieved faults for vanos intake and cam sensor reference for exhaust. Followed test plans, cam sensors wiring and both reading ok now. Most likely cause vanos solenoids sticking/soiled. Performed vanos solenoid flush with test plan, reaching all target values now. Functioning correctly, advises changing oil now. Cleared all faults and found oil service flush on line.

If faults return, solenoids will need replaced."