Interstar VANOS Solenoid Issue

Hey, I had a similar problem with my Interstar. The symptoms sound very familiar. Did you notice any drop in power, especially at lower RPMs? It felt like the engine was struggling a bit, almost like a clogged artery preventing proper blood flow. Also, have you checked the timing chain? A stretched timing chain can sometimes mimic VANOS failure symptoms.

Thanks for the reply! Yes, there is a slight loss of power at lower RPMs, like the engine is 'lazy'. I haven't checked the timing chain specifically, as the error codes pointed me directly to the VANOS solenoid. Was it definitely the VANOS solenoid in your case, or was it something else?

In my case, the error codes also pointed to the VANOS solenoid. I tried cleaning it, but the issue persisted. I ended up taking it to a workshop, and they confirmed it was a faulty solenoid. They replaced it, and the problem disappeared. It's always best to get it properly diagnosed, but it does sound quite similar.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! It sounds like I'm heading down the same path. I'll take it to a workshop for a proper diagnosis and probable solenoid replacement. I've been quoted around 250€ for the repair, so that sounds right. Appreciate the help!