dodged a bullet - DISA valve disintegrated

[Stuart Truman]

Only 1 wiring connector, 2 torx bolts and about 10 minutes time...not much to figure out. It's easily assessable.

And from everything I have read the only changes made to the DISA were for the N52 engine. The M54 still uses the original DISA design and should be inspected at 50K. My new one on my 3.0i M54 (2 months ago) still had the same design with the same metal pin.

God alone knows what I've got with the mashup N52 B32 engine in an Alpina. I need a specsavers type ad. "Should have bought an M"

 

[bigshurv]

Mine had done about 50 k when it started rattling. I changed it straight away, took me about 10 mins.Could have driven it for a few more miles but decided it wasn'y worth it.Don't change it if it's not rattling.

 

[EdsTTer]

Hi guys, even though it doesn't seem to be rattling, I just checked my DISA whilst I was investigating my "ghost whistle" (yep, there's a split in the concertina part of the lower inlet boot)

The metal pin seems to be secure but the flap has about 5mm of rotational slack before it stiffens up against the actuator piston. Is this normal? The YouTube vids seem to show no slack when turning the flap by hand...

The cars a 2003 2.5i and done 66K. Would you advise replacing it?

 

[bigshurv]

A new one has no slack, so yours is showing some signs of wear.Mine had started rattling a bit which drew me to investigate it and did indeed have similar movement to yours. If it was mine,I'd replace it.

 

[EdsTTer]

Thanks bigshurv.
I'm collecting a new one at 1:30 today £124.65 + vat from the Stealers... and a new rubber inlet boot.

 

[motoroller]

Do the Alpinas have DISA valves? Saw some discussion but no conclusion!

 

[kis]

Quite an old thread you've revived there buddy!
If you've got an Alpina it will be easy to check? Just pop the bonnet. I'd be surprised if they don't have one if I'm honest.

 

[Jembo]

Quite an old thread you've revived there buddy!
If you've got an Alpina it will be easy to check? Just pop the bonnet. I'd be surprised if they don't have one if I'm honest.

Yup & for any pre facelift E85 owners, I previously found a full quality aluminum replacement on eBay, though on 60k my old one was still as good as new - Perry may be able to advise further given Q is now about Alpinas

It's also good to see people using the search function..

 

[BeeEmm]

Then the orange engine warning light came on. Continued for 300 miles with the intention of taking the car into the garage when I got to Lincoln.

You drove 300 miles with the engine warning light on? 300 miles? Just noticed it was an old post, but 300 miles.

 

[Mike6]

Dont think the pin can drop into the engine as its held captively. I believe they have been known to drop into the engine when removing the DISA as a whole. So if you are removing the DISA be very careful when removing the unit.