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Home >> BMW >> 2011 >> X5 35d >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Blowers, Superchargers & Turbochargers >> Functional Description - Engine Performance & Emissions - Except Diesel >> Engine Performance & Emissions, Gasoline Engine - Functional Description >> Valve gear >> Brief component description >> VANOS solenoid valve intake and VANOS solenoid valve exhaust

VANOS solenoid valve intake and VANOS solenoid valve exhaust

The variable camshaft timing control improves the torque in the lower and middle engine speed range. At the same time, the most favorable valve operation times for idle speed and maximum power output are adjusted. A greater valve overlap results in lower amounts of residual gas at idle speed. The exhaust-gas recirculation in the partial load range reduces the volume of nitrogen oxide.

The following is also achieved:

Example N55

Item Explanation
A View of back of increment wheel
B View of front of increment wheel
Fig 2: Identifying VANOS Solenoid Valve
G09841703Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Example N55

Item Explanation
1 VANOS solenoid valve, inlet
2 VANOS solenoid valve, exhaust
3 two-pin plug connection
4 two-pin plug connection

A VANOS solenoid valve activates the VANOS unit. The required positions of the intake and exhaust camshafts are calculated from the engine speed and the load signal (depending on the intake air temperature and coolant temperature). The Digital Engine Electronics (DME) activates the VANOS unit via the VANOS solenoid valve.

The VANOS inlet and exhaust solenoid valves are positioned axially on the front of the cylinder head. The VANOS solenoid valves (with integrated non-return valve) distribute the oil pressure to the two VANOS units.

Idle speed: 

At idle speed, the camshafts are adjusted in such a way that there is a slight valve overlap to optimize consumption and operational smoothness. The smallest valve overlap is achieved with great to the greatest possible intake spread and the greatest possible exhaust spread. The VANOS solenoid valves are de-energized here. This camshaft position is also assumed on stopping the engine. In this state, the exhaust camshaft adjusters lock so that with a subsequent engine start there is a stable camshaft adjustment. This stable camshaft adjustment is also achieved when the oil pump has not yet built up adequate oil pressure to adjust the camshaft. With the first adjustment request, the oil flowing in unlocks the exhaust camshaft adjusters again.

Power output: 

To achieve high torque at low engine speeds, the exhaust valves are opened late. This enables the expansion of combustion to move the piston for longer. At high engine speeds, the greater valve overlap (exhaust valve opening is advanced and exhaust valve opening is late) achieves height power output.

To achieve high torque, a high volumetric efficiency must be achieved. Depending on the intake pipe vacuum (charging pressure) and exhaust back pressure, the intake or exhaust valves must or opened or closed earlier or later. An engine with VANOS lies within a broad engine speed range with optimized cylinder charge. An engine with VANOS requires less charging pressure than an engine with a rigid camshaft position for the same filling (corresponds to torque).

Reason: Both ejection of the fresh gases back into the intake pipe and a flow of residual gas into the cylinder can be avoided.

Increasing torque with turbocharging 

On the turbocharged engine, 'over-scavenging' - and thus significantly more torque - can be achieved at low engine speeds in the charged range with a scavenging divide by means of a large valve overlap.

The effect: More air than necessary for combustion flows through the engine. This means the twin-scroll exhaust turbocharger is not in the pumping range.

Second effect: There is virtually no residual gas present in the cylinder.

Internal exhaust-gas recirculation with partial load 

In contrast to the torque-optimized and power-optimized position of the intake and exhaust camshafts, high exhaust-gas recirculation can also be forced with adjustment of the intake and exhaust camshafts. Decisive for the amount of internal exhaust-gas recirculation is: The size of the valve overlap as well as the pressure difference between the exhaust manifold and intake pipe.

Internal exhaust-gas recirculation has the following characteristics:

The following graphic relates to engine N55:

Fig 3: Intake/Exhaust Camshaft Spread Graph
G09841704Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Item Explanation
1 Valve lift
2 Exhaust camshaft spread
3 Intake camshaft spread
4 Crankshaft angle in degrees