BMW S65 Engine valve cover & VANOS services
One of Mporium BMW’s most popular Signature Services among owners of 2008-2013 M3 are our top-end restoration services which address the long term deterioration of original components and their material deficiencies, including engine valve cover. Mporium is the undisputed leader for this service in Texas, receiving recognition as the expert on both online enthusiast forums and local ///M clubs alike.
Observing the deficiency of factory materials in the engine valve cover and the VANOS spring covers underneath, Mporium set out years ago to devise new methods and products which improves on the factory components and provides a long term solution. Our original processes and exclusive chromoly VANOS CUPS set the standard and are often imitated by other shops and online vendors offering counterfeit variations.
Don’t forget other top-end service needs! This service is also the perfect time to tend to other items like spark plugs, ignition coils, throttle actuators, and tank vent valve solenoids, all common recommended items for these engines. Combine one or more of these services to take advantage of labor overlap discounts!
Mporium has specialized in servicing the beloved S65 powerplant ever since they were in production. We are a detail-oriented facility that takes pride in tending to the little things that other shops neglect in order to turn higher profits. We are a true enthusiast auto shop and the S65 is our passion. Read on, and reach out to us today to learn more about restoring your engine’s top end systems.
The ugly Engine Valve covers
The engine valve cover in the S65 are made of magnesium which is fantastic for its light weight qualities but is not a very stable alloy for long term integrity. As a result, we see oxidation within the magnesium over time which causes corrosion and pitting, flaking, and ultimately coating failure. Obviously, when the cover itself suffers in this way, so does the gasket seal, so by now, we see leaks around the valve covers of almost every S65 we see come through our shop. The problem with simply replacing gaskets is that the sealing surface is now rough and corroded, and the coatings are peeled way or flaking from the surfaces which prevents sealing against new gaskets. Of course, the rest of the cover is cosmetically blemished as well due to the coating failures. Therefore, complete replacement of the engine valve cover is almost always prescribed to restore a long term seal. The cosmetic benefit by replacement is a much welcomed byproduct. We have led many discussions and tutorials on national forums and social media over this topic, but locals have the opportunity to take advantage of our expertise on the subject.
Our Signature Service is a specially priced package deal, offering our own Aluminum Valve Cover sets. We stock a variety of colors for your choice, ranging from OE grey to color matched finishes like White, Jerez, Red, Black. We also have more interesting hammered finishes, bronzes, and others available from time to time. As opposed to other aluminum covers on the market, our covers are a low production volume offering, and each set is prepared by hand and coatings applied locally by Unit F14 coatings, a top rated provider. Each cover is assembled by Mporium for installation by our expert team. The results are unsurpassed, and the pricing for this special package can’t be beaten by any other shop.
The VANOS spring caps
The VANOS adjusters in this engine feature a coil spring attached to the unit to aid advancement of the camshaft adjuster and improve overall function. Originally, BMW provided a plastic cover to retain the spring and prevent them from walking off their spring pins. Over time, these plastic cover caps have deteriorated resulting in a brittle part prone to failure without symptoms. It’s not possible to monitor these components inside the engine and failure will usually go unnoticed until it reaches criticality. Once disassembled for inspection we see the plastic caps in various condition ranging from cracks and missing pieces, to all-out loss of the cap(s) into the engine’s oil sump. Eventually this will result in oil starvation and engine failure caused by low oil pressure (examples below). We have diagnosed many engine failures in our shop due to the destruction caused by loss of these original plastic parts. As replacement plastic covers were never offered by BMW, we solved this problem in a permanent fashion with our exclusive Mporium VANOS Cups.
The proper Solution
Years ago we saw the deficiency in the original plastic caps and determined that a robust and life-long repair will be mandatory going forward. Before the boom in “clip-on” VANOS cap availability and other counterfeits, we had designed a steel cup system to be a permanent and bullet-proof addition. Our exclusive cups are CNC cut from hardened chromoly steel stock and captured underneath the VANOS central bolt for an absolutely future proof solution. As opposed to any variation of clip-on alternatives which have been shown to come loose over time, our fully captured cup design is the ONLY truly permanent fix. Since camshaft timing must occur during their installation these take more time and skill to install with special tools, hence the appeal of lesser solutions; Nothing good comes easy. However, when installed as a part of our Top End Signature Service with valve covers, the additional labor costs are minimized as part of a “labor overlap” discount consideration. Our solution has been employed for many years and has been proven to be a lifetime fix in hundreds of engines worldwide. These are available in our online store if you are not able to have us install them for you.
We are confident that our Vanos services are the best available. Call us and let Mporium BMW service your engine so it can live the longest life possible!
why choose us
Our focus on one manufacturer provides us an unusually extensive understanding of every aspect of their repair and maintenance, plus in depth knowledge of each platform’s particular characteristics and cost effective remedies for their ailments. Rather than offer a “jack of all trades, master of none” experience, we drill down into the deepest details to offer the most comprehensive solutions for every need. Not even Dealers can offer the same expertise that we provide for some models!
Mporium BMW has earned an undisputed reputation as a 5-star facility with unmatched customer feedback for top-quality work. When shopping for a facility we encourage assessment of work quality, skill, and reputation over price. We focus first on providing the highest quality product, all while offering prices far less than most Dealer estimates. We believe investment in superior servicing pays dividends to ownership enjoyment in the long run.
We are a one-of-a-kind BMW specialist shop that turns customers into loyal regulars by exceeding expectations in both quality of work and customer service. From general service and repairs, to performance and custom work, even restorative work and fabrication, our high standards and meticulous work set us apart from the rest. Let us show you. Our clientele travel from all over the southwest for work by Mporium. After experiencing service at Mporium, you’ll never take your BMW or MINI anywhere else.
Based on 250+ reviews
(Trusted Score 5.0 / 5.0)
Based on 200+ reviews
Trusted Score 5.0 / 5.0
