Check your Disa valve

[sw4nny]

Decided to change the disa valve on my 80k miles e85 3.0,more preventavive than having a problem.
When I removed the old one it was very clear this was a good call,the rubber seals were well worn,but the main issue was the spring loaded flap it was all flap and no spring,it showed no resistence at all and when pushed with my finger would stay in the position i placed it in.
So a polite word of advice,just because you cant hear a massive rattle or any ill effects doesnt mean yuor disa valve is not kaput.
It takes 10 mins to check this even for an amateur like me so its worth investing the time.
I did take a quick vid of old vs new but cant seem to upload it
Sermon over

 

[Smartbear]

Did you notice a loss of power before you checked the valve? :?
Rob

 

[sw4nny]

Did you notice a loss of power before you checked the valve? :?
Rob

No real noticable loss in power,although the car did seem to hesitate slightly before letting you have it.
I have very limited knowledge compared to a lot on the forum around the wizardry of how a car works.
Would there be any other symptoms of a failed disa?
Other than the rattle and the engine exploding if some of it got free to enter the engine

 

[bigwinn]

Checked mine last night- easy task and peace of mind!

 

[Chris_D]

It's also a good idea to change the gasket every 4th/5th check.
Ideally you would change it everytime you check the DISA but who's really going to do that?
8)

 

[DMike]

It's also a good idea to change the gasket every 4th/5th check.
Ideally you would change it everytime you check the DISA but who's really going to do that?
8)

Is there a part number for the gasket or any other way to source a right one?

 

[Zfourever]

Do 2 litre z4's have a disa valve? Or is it just the 6 cylinder engines? Anybody know?
Cheers
Zfourever

 

[Old-Duckman]

This is my DISA story.

Got my Z this past Feb., 52K and change miles (04, 3.0 E85). Had read up on DISAs and was nervous. So, I purchased a rebuild kit from German Auto Solutions (GAS).

Pulled it off one day and was going to do the rebuild. I found it was an aftermarket DISA so I emailed GAS to see if the rebuild kit would work on the brand in my car...it would not. I emailed again asking him if the unit was reliable. He said it was less reliable than a BMW DISA.

So I ordered a BMW DISA and installed it. Upon taking out the aftermarket valve I found some of the overmoulded "rubber" was hanging on by a thread. I don't know if that would have caused any damage had it been sucked into the engine (I sort of doubt it would have...?).

I did not use the rebuild kit on the new BMW DISA, I figure I have quite a few miles left in the new one before it wants to be rebuilt.