I rebuilt an N12 justa (shop did head). Started up first crank, yes there was a little delay with one thing or another (some permissives). At any rate, some smoke, which I expected but it lined out and was running very well. I had a crank seal leak (because I oiled the ptfe seal, duh). No worries easy fix. Since that first day I have continued to have Vanos errors. P0017 and P0015. I rechecked the timing and made a small adjustment, cause I was stupid and bought the hillbilly Amazon cam locks. Since this tool didn't fit tightly I used a n.004" feeler gauge to set one side straight up and down, which means the tool was cast .004" too wide.
I got rid of the P0017 code and only the P0015 Cam Position- timing over retarded Bank1. Now the car starts and is sluggish till it tries to correct itself, raising rpm's and (I guess) adjusting the cams. Of course, it t's throwing the CEL when it's correcting the rough idle.
SO MY QUESTION : Does the Vanos need adaptation? It apparently can't get there by itself. I YouTubed about an 08, that a shop used a program to reset the adaptation and it showed where the cam-timings were within the parameters of how far the Vanos could move. So, does my 07 need this adaptation? Apparently none of the handheld OBD2 tools works for adaptation on this model. The Autophix 7910 doesn't recognize my model. Advertises all special functions after 1996, NOT!

Thank you,
Briscoec

 

Well, to answer my question. Yes, the 07 n12, engine needed vano adaptation. I was able to get the A-7910 to work. Everything cleared. I still need to button everything up and test drive. However, it's running properly. OM gosh what a relief.

 

I had a similar problem...
2010 Base MC N12 - installed a remanufactured engine and new parts (ie: Vanos solenoids, etc.), but kept getting P0015

Solution came from Mike at ECS Tuning...
Get a BMW/Mini-specific scan tool so you can clear the adaptions so that the valvetronic gear can relearn the stops

• The scan tool that I bought is HERE
• The steps to clear the adaptions is described in the video posted in this THREAD

From a diagnosis perspective, I think that if you rebuild/replace anything to do with the valvetronic system (valves, cams, etc.), then the engine needs to relearn the stops. Since I installed a new, remanufactured engine, everything was new. I don't think that if you replace the timing chain while making sure you lock the cams and flywheel, this would apply (but then again I'm not a pro mechanic)

Thank you Mike/ECS Tuning
Hope this helps others
aloha, -Bob

 

Welcome!