E46 N42B20 Vaccum Pump

[Vincent Hor]

I got it done by Albert (WP Auto). His mobile 012-2017792

 

[zeedo]

The worst symptom of a failed vacuum pump is your brake pedal feels hard and makes it impossible to stop the car properly. When that happens it's not the o-ring that failed but the vacuum pump unit itself.

 

[eri]

Vincent, i already meet WP auto to get an opinion for my brake. But albert recommend me to change the servo and vacuum pump. He want to sell 2nd hand unit for 380(vacuum pump) and 300 (servo). why ar?

 

[Vincent Hor]

If that's the case then he must be of the opinion that your Vaccum pump one way valve is already
Damaged whereby the engine oil from the pump has seeped
Into your brake servo. Under such circumstances you have to replace both. You should have felt the hard brakes.

 

[Vincent Hor]

The worst symptom of a failed vacuum pump is your brake pedal feels hard and makes it impossible to stop the car properly. When that happens it's not the o-ring that failed but the vacuum pump unit itself.

Zeedo, that's very true

 

[Vincent Hor]

Updates. The repair work on the vaccum pump is good. No more oil leak.

The moral of the story. If you have an oil leak at your vaccum pump don't spend big money to replace it. Repair it by replacing both the O rings at a minimal cost. The only challenge is your mechanic have to go and find the right size larger O ring seal.

You should only replace vaccum pump if the one-way valve is damaged.

This repair is applicable to E90 N46 engines too.

Time to enjoy driving the car again.

 

[Vincent Hor]

Ibrahim Hanif, this is probably what you are looking for.

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Ibrahim Hanif, this is probably what you are looking for.

Tq vincent.
Bro, can i get the 2 o ring from you?. Can you courier it to me bro?. I ask my mechanic to change it. Thanks for your help. I'm in JB and didn't know where to get the o ring. Can?

 

[Vincent Hor]

Bro, Can u ask your mechanic to verify if this is the problem? If yes, then I will get it for you. How is your brakes? If they are already hard then no point to change these 'O' rings cos you will need to replace the complete vacuum pump.

Do let me know.

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Bro, Can u ask your mechanic to verify if this is the problem? If yes, then I will get it for you. How is your brakes? If they are already hard then no point to change these 'O' rings cos you will need to replace the complete vacuum pump.

Do let me know.

At my last service, my mechanic had already remind me. But he said the thing still can use. No need to change at that time. But he remind me the brake will hardened if it fail. I'm afraid that the thing will fail at any time. My brake system as usual now. Normal. I'm taking this as a safety precaution. Need to change the o-ring before it fail. :wink:. Thanks a lot bro if you can courier me the o-rings.

 

[Vincent Hor]

Ok then. Please PM me your address.

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Ok then. Please PM me your address.

Already done bro.

 

[astroboy]

A DIY guide and tips for the fix:

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=134590&p=1128575

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Any recommendations on the hose clamp. Which one is suits?. Or just the clamp it with the normal clamp which to tightened with flat screwdriver. ???. Is it durable?

 

[Iceduke]

am about to embark on this DIY myself. bro Vincent hor, you mentioned the larger O-ring can't be found? I managed to get from Bavarian Auto today @ RM 7 per ring. apparently they have sold tonnes of these previously.

I even compared it to the oil filter o-ring as describe by BMWLAND.UK DIY and its only slightly smaller but evidently thicken seal. Didn't get this as by stretching it, it may not lats seeing our hot climate is already a detrimental factor.

Just sharing.

Cheers

 

[Iceduke]

Anyway decided to go ahead with my DIY and here it is...

You'll need the following tools:
-10mm T bar wrench
-10mm small wrench(for small hard to reach places like the Vacuum Pump)
-8mm small wrench(for 1 darn screw that held the VP line in place)
-Used rags

First remove all covers and related head cover screws.

View attachment 25420

Remove the head cover

View attachment 25421

as you can see, my block is still sludge-free which was one of the main reasons I decided to get the car
With only the cover off, you can only replace cylinder 1 and 4 spark plug tube o-rings, for 2 and 3 you'll need to remove the cam and the corresponding Valvetronic unit. As my 1 and 4 plugs are only wet so only changed those. Theres 1 big and 1 small ring so you wont get mixed up. To remove them just wiggle them out of place and voila

View attachment 25422View attachment 25423

Was quite hesitant to tackle the vacuum pump o-rings but decided what the heck... lets go...it was real tough getting the 3 10mm bolts out but managed to, lucky em fingers arent erm homer size

Vacuum pump removed...

View attachment 25424

further outer bolts need to be removed to replace the big O-ring, as you can see the old one is virtually flat hence no more seal...

View attachment 25425

Put on the new seal and apply some gasket sealant (bought from John of Bomin)...

View attachment 25426

Reattach the Vacuum pump, remember to align the notch to the exhaust camshaft, or else you wont have brakes...

View attachment 25427

Lastly, put everything back...time taken approx(including testing) 4.5hrs. Price RM 27 (for 4 tube o rings + 2 VP rings @ Suan Huat). Hope this will stop or at least slow down the oil consumption...so saved rm1.2k in new VP part and labor by DIY.

hope this helps

 

[astroboy]

SALUUUUUTE!!!!!! :top:

Those photos a bit small la.. It's like watching porn on 160x320 resolution.. arggghh! :motz:

Load them into photobucket or something la.. I wan't to see more! :love:

Rocker cover gasket didn't change ka?

So you remove the cam shaft and Valvetronic motor to access spark plug tubes No. 3?

How's the re-installation of rocket cover? Any leak after that? Did you apply gasket sealant to the rocker cover gasket?

 

[Iceduke]

SALUUUUUTE!!!!!! :top:

Those photos a bit small la.. It's like watching porn on 160x320 resolution.. arggghh! :motz:

Load them into photobucket or something la.. I wan't to see more! :love:

Rocker cover gasket didn't change ka?

So you remove the cam shaft and Valvetronic motor to access spark plug tubes No. 3?

How's the re-installation of rocket cover? Any leak after that? Did you apply gasket sealant to the rocker cover gasket?

haha .. I tot the size was limited to 100kb for uploads?..was lazy to upload to PB...ok la will do it later and reedit...

The rocker cover was already changed by the dealer's bmw specialist when I bought the car and its still new...I didnt change no 3 & 4 coz its still ok, no oil at the plugs, plus it will be a nightmare not to mention my lack of skills to dismantle the camshaft and motor...I only amateur la bro....

Reinstallation was simple, I didnt put any sealant as theres sealant already previously at the 4 half moon's at both ends. John of bomin said u'll only need to apply at the half moons. Tighten it adequately and it shouldnt leak. Still monitoring...but so far so good. Cross figners

Oh u own N46...I can offer my services hahaa

 

[astroboy]

..
Oh u own N46...I can offer my services hahaa

Heh.. Actually the N42 also sharing many of the N46 parts.. there should be plenty of our kind out there, from the 2002 E46 318i (N42) up to 2012 E90 320i (N46). Next time got engine project do give me a tinkle.. I want to learn a few tricks from you.. :4:

 

[Iceduke]

will do...maybe do project tinkle on ur n46?