liamice1

Espace VANOS Fault

Hi, I have a 2012 Renault Espace with a gasoline engine, and the check engine light is on. My fuel consumption seems higher than usual. The car has 46210 km. A diagnostic shows a fault with the inlet VANOS mechanics. I've read it could be a defect in one of the camshaft solenoid valves or a power supply issue. Has anyone else experienced this? It almost feels like it has low power. This VANOS thing sounds like the BMW VANOS problems my brother had!

4 comment(s)

Hey! I think I can help. I had something similar happen in my Espace – though mine was still under warranty. Symptoms sound really familiar. Check engine light, drinking fuel like it's going out of style… all pointed to the variable timing system. I remember the mechanic mentioning oil sludge being a possible culprit as well, restricting oil flow to the inlet camshaft. Is your car regularly serviced?

Thanks for the reply! Regularly serviced, yes, but could still be the oil sludge, I suppose. Was your issue definitely the VANOS then? Did they say anything about the camshaft solenoid valves, or the power supply to them? I'm trying to get an idea of what I'm in for here. I'm hoping it's not a super expensive fix, as I've seen some horror stories…

Yeah, it was definitely the VANOS. To be honest, I don't remember the specifics – it was a few years ago. But the symptoms you describe are spot on with what I experienced. If I were you, I'd take it to a reliable workshop. They can properly diagnose it and give you a clearer idea of the costs involved. Could be a simple fix, could be more involved. Good luck!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I took your advice and went to a workshop. They confirmed it was a faulty camshaft solenoid valve, just like the diagnostic suggested. Total repair cost was 250€, which I'm happy with. Appreciate the help!

Join the discussion now: