E39 M54 - changing VGC gasket, should I get Vanos seals done?

Trojan

E39 M54B25 - I'm getting a local indy to change the VGC/rocker gasket.

I've read in a few places online that if doing this, you should really also get the Vanos seals replaced.

How necessary, and how expensive is replacing the Vanos seals (parts and labour)? Is it a job a non-BMW specialist could take on, or am I better going to the specialists?

From what I read, this makes a significant difference on some cars, but there seems to be a link to severe temperatures and this car has lived here all it's life.

Thoughts?

Mandzhalas

I have done it myself couple of years ago. Seals were 40 euro( from i6 automotive) and it took me about hour to do vanos alone, when valve cover was off. I think whole job for mechanic should take 2 hours if he knows what he is at.

In my opinion whole job including parts would cost about 250-350.

Also just adding that engine not feel any different after vanos replacement.

Trojan

Just so I understand it, am I right in thinking that this is an expensive procedure with strong odds of making no difference to performance, which won't affect resale value (which is effectively nil anyway)?

I do need to get the VCG gasket done so I'm thinking of just going ahead with that and forgetting about the Vanos seals.

ironclaw

There isn't much merit to doing the seals if you don't do the vanos are the same time. Are the vanos sticking? Best left alone in my book unless you are doing all of them.

commited

I did the Vanos seals on my M54 and it made a noticeable difference but it's a fairly involved job - I wouldn't have paid anyone to do it. The VGC is really easy on the M54 though.

Trojan

ironclaw wrote: »

There isn't much merit to doing the seals if you don't do the vanos are the same time. Are the vanos sticking? Best left alone in my book unless you are doing all of them.

My VCG (rocker gasket) needs replacing. I'm getting an oil burning smell after a long journey and from what I've been told/research it's almost certainly the VCG. I have a new Victor Reinz gasket ready to go in.

I have no idea if the vanos is sticking. The only reason I'm asking about it is because a lot of the forum threads I've seen talking about VCG replacement say that you should generally always do a vanos seal replacement at the same time (sounds to me a bit like replacing a clutch when doing DMF).

If it was €50 or €100 on top of the VCG I'd happily do it. If it's another €300-500, then that's a whole different ball game and is probably uneconomical.