C30 Check Engine Light VANOS Issue

I had a similar issue with my C30! Check engine light and all that. Has it been making any weird noises, like a slight rattling? Mine turned out to be a dodgy VANOS solenoid. Is your oil clean? Sometimes sludge can cause problems with the variable timing. What error code are you getting? Let's see if we can narrow things down, like knowing if it is a blocked pipe or a leaky one.

Thanks for the reply! No weird noises that I've noticed, thankfully. I changed the oil recently, so it should be relatively clean; I didn't see anything unusual when I did the oil change. The error code is P0011. Any thoughts based on that? Where exactly is the VANOS solenoid located? I have no idea where to even start looking, kind of like searching for a specific grain of sand on a beach...

Okay, P0011 definitely points towards VANOS. Honestly, finding the solenoid isn't the easiest job if you're not familiar with engine layouts. It's buried somewhere around the camshaft, depending on your engine. I think at this mileage, and with that code, it’s best to take it to a trusted mechanic. I ended up having to get mine replaced, and the bill came to around 250€. Better safe than sorry – engine damage could be a lot worse, kind of like ignoring a small leak that turns into a flood.

Thanks so much for the advice. I think you're right; I'm going to book it in with a local garage. It's probably beyond my limited skillset. They confirmed there was a defect in one of the camshaft solenoid valves, so it's getting replaced and the power supply checked. The estimate is similar to what you paid, around 250€. Fingers crossed that solves the problem!