DISA Valve Replace or Rebuild? What's the consensus? ANSWERS

S

StudioWizard

Member
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Hey all

I'm doing a lot of engine work on this 2005 2.5i I bought recently. I read that the DISA valve is a time bomb waiting to destroy your engine, so I plan to replace it.... OR, should I rebuild it?

I already ordered the Vaico brand from FCP Euro for $135 USD, although I can send it back if the consensus is to rebuild or buy a different brand.

Any thoughts appreciated!
 
Easy job to rebuild with a kit Studio, will be cheaper than replacing the whole unit. Kits like this one are around £60 last time I did one in the UK, no idea in the states but surely a fair bit less than a new unit. Whichever way you go it's a pretty essential job so neither is wrong. :thumbsup:
 

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Could I use that kit to upgrade the Vaico unit I just ordered? I feel like I read somewhere that one of the upgrade parts companies said their upgrade only works on OEM parts, not Vaico. But, if the Vaico part is overall good AND I can update... that seems like a no-brainer to me. :-)
 
Also, how can I tell if the DISA unit on my car is OEM or aftermarket? I bought this car recently and I have no idea if the DISA unit has ever been changed or not.
 
I can't say for 100% but I can't think of any reason why an upgrade kit like the X8R wouldn't fit your Vaico unit, they all use the same construction method. As Mikey says an upgrade like this is made of aluminium, also the main difference and the most important is the upgrade kit uses a full threaded rod for the valve instead of the pin on standard units which is the part that comes loose over time and can be drawn into the inlet manifold, then into a combustion chamber causing either, piston and cylinder head damage, bore scoring, or both. Pretty essential to change or upgrade the disa as you're doing imo.

Hope that's of some help. :thumbsup:
 
I just put in a call to the X8R manufacturer - I left them a message. I'll pass on what they say as to whether I can use the upgrade kit on a Vaico unit.

I messaged another upgrade kit maker on Ebay and they said there's is NOT compatible with a Vaico unit. I wonder why....
 
I reached out to GAS and they said no aftermarket DISA units are compatible with their upgrade kits. He told me that it's because the aftermarket ones have slightly different tolerances and clearances where the flat rotates resulting in the upgrade flat getting stuck or moving incorrectly. He said this is definitely true with the Vaico unit. He said he's not aware of ANY aftermarket unit that works with the upgrade unfortunately.

I also posted a question on the X8R page on Amazon (which is a company called LRNJ Parts) and got a VERY long response, which I suspect is an automated response. In a nutshell it says that their upgrade kit will work in any OEM unit that meets all specifications of a genuine DISA unit. So, I'm going to deduce that their upgrade will NOT work in the Vaico unit.

I think I'm going to have to buy a used DISA unit on Ebay. I could also buy a complete DISA unit from GAS which is very expensive at about $450 USD.

My mechanic didn't think it was necessary to be so "careful" about it. He said that pin shouldn't be able to come out unless you drop it accidentally when removing it. I don't know... I've seen other posters suggesting that part where the pin is may have essentially disintegrated and the pin flew into the engine causing immediate destruction. $450 now or $4500 later? Hmmm......

Thoughts?
 
Although I've heard many anecdotal stories and theories about the DISA 'grenading' an engine I've actually yet to read/hear about an actual or documented incident.
I'm all in favour of preventive maintenance, but really only when it's totally warranted.

Anyone have any documented or photographic proof of damage/borked engine because of a failed DISA?
I doubt it.
 
john-e89 said:
Special Kay said:
john-e89 said:
Mine was loose as a tarts drawers Studio....why take the chance...?
Click to expand...
Tarts don't wear drawers :D
Click to expand...

Proof Kay.....Chris D modelling them.... :thumbsup: :wink:
Click to expand...
I was simply trying...and failing miserably to emulate your fabulous look John:
johne89.jpg

I won't ask where you retrieved those accessorising carrots from John, I think we can all guess. ew
:lol:
 
So, here's what I'm gathering from talking to mechanics, parts companies (GAS and X8R) and you guys: it's probably pretty rare that these cause catastrophic engine damage, but the design of the OEM unit is poor. Upgrading the OEM unit is inexpensive (relatively) and makes sense to do just to have one less part breaking down the road AND it might, in rare situations, prevent major engine damage.

The guy at FCP Euro emailed me that the Vaicos and other aftermarket parts are definitely inferior and are really mean to be a stopgap measure rather than a long-term fix. I immediately canceled the order and he was happy to do so even though he already shipped it out. He emailed me a free return shipping label already. I should have asked BEFORE I bought it. The good news is that they are totally honest and also the folks at GAS and LNPR (X8R) said the same basic thing.

So, there you have it. It seems like we do have somewhat of a consensus - at least one that I'm satisfied with.
 
Just read through this thread and all I would add is that if your disa works ok then don’t buy another to upgrade. Takes five minutes to remove yours and about ten minutes to fit the new parts.
Do be aware that the flap section on the 3.0 is longer than that of the 2.2 and 2.5, so get the right kit.
 
I think that's the right call. Right now my car is in the shop getting a laundry list of fixes done. When I get it back, I'll take a look a the unit. If it's OEM and in OK condition, I'll upgrade it.
 
enuff_zed said:
Just read through this thread and all I would add is that if your disa works ok then don’t buy another to upgrade. Takes five minutes to remove yours and about ten minutes to fit the new parts.
Do be aware that the flap section on the 3.0 is longer than that of the 2.2 and 2.5, so get the right kit.
Click to expand...

Good point which I didn't mention Enuff. :thumbsup:
 
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