BMW M50TU / M52 Single VANOS Rebuild Kit — Stage 3

For the most complete Single VANOS rebuild, our Stage 3 Rebuild Kit includes the upgraded piston seals, anti-rattle components, and an OEM VANOS sealing gasket. Designed for BMW M50TU, M52, and US-spec S52 engines, Stage 3 gives you the components needed to address the most common VANOS wear points while replacing the main sealing gasket during reassembly.

BMW introduced VANOS variable valve timing in the early 1990s to improve low-end torque, drivability, and engine efficiency. After decades of mileage and heat cycles, the original VANOS piston seals can harden and wear, reducing the unit's ability to properly control camshaft timing. Wear within the VANOS bearing assembly can also create the distinctive metallic rattle these engines are known for.

Common symptoms of a worn Single VANOS unit can include loss of low-end torque, sluggish throttle response, inconsistent power delivery, VANOS-related fault codes, oil leakage, and VANOS rattle.

If the front of your engine sounds like there are marbles or rocks rolling around inside it, there's a good chance you're hearing the infamous VANOS rattle.

Our Stage 3 kit combines the seal and rattle-repair components from Stage 2 with an OEM VANOS sealing gasket, making it our more complete kit for servicing your Single VANOS unit.

Stage 3 Kit Includes:

• 1 PTFE (Teflon) Piston Ring Seal
• 1 FKM (Viton) O-Ring Seal
• 2 Copper VANOS Oil Line Sealing Washers
• 1 Anti-Rattle Bushing
• 2 Anti-Rattle Bearings
• 1 OEM VANOS Sealing Gasket

Why Choose Stage 3?

Stage 3 is designed for customers who want to do the job as completely as possible while the VANOS unit is removed.

In addition to replacing the internal piston seals and addressing bearing-related VANOS rattle, Stage 3 includes the OEM VANOS sealing gasket used when reinstalling the VANOS unit.

Rather than reusing an old, compressed gasket or sourcing one separately, you'll have the major service components ready to go in one convenient kit.

Don't Be Fooled by Cheap VANOS Kits

Not all VANOS rebuild kits are created equal. There are cheaper kits available online, but the quality of the seals, bearings, and materials is not the same. There's a reason some kits sell for less than half the price.

We source quality components specifically for this application and include an OEM sealing gasket in our Stage 3 kit so you can rebuild your VANOS with confidence and avoid doing the job twice.

Special Tool Required

A modified 18mm socket is required to disassemble most M50TU/M52 Single VANOS units. We offer the properly modified socket separately at a small additional cost to make the rebuild easier.

Important: Some 1993 Single VANOS units require a modified 17mm socket instead of the 18mm version. Verify your VANOS unit before ordering your tool.

Fitment Guide

This kit is designed for BMW models equipped with M50TU, M52, and US-spec S52 Single VANOS engines. Fitment varies by market and production date.

Note: Production dates and engine configurations can vary by market. BMW transitioned several models from Single VANOS M52 engines to Dual VANOS M52TU engines around the 1998–1999 model years. Verify your engine and production date before ordering.

European Z3 M Note: European-market Z3 M models use the S50B32 engine, which has a different Double VANOS system and does not use this M50TU/M52 Single VANOS rebuild kit.

Stage 3: The Complete Single VANOS Rebuild Kit

Choose Stage 3 if you want the more complete version of our M50TU/M52/S52 Single VANOS rebuild kit. It combines the upgraded VANOS seals, anti-rattle bushing and bearings, copper oil line washers, and OEM VANOS sealing gasket into one convenient package.

Rebuild it once. Rebuild it right.