Hi all,
When I got my car it had a very minor rattle, and disconnecting the DISA verified it as a problem in there (when running the engine just take off the connector, if you want to test it yourself). From what I've read, a slight bit of give in the DISA unit can cause the rattle you can hear when the car is idling. I then read your engine - in very extreme cases, I might add - can be damaged by the top pin piece, which is what holds the DISA valve in place inside the unit. Basically, it drops into the engine and you can work out what a piece of metal does to other bits of moving metal. There are some images on t'internet if interested!
So I did a bit of research and this led me to believe BMW obviously had an off day when designing this unit. It seems there's a way to stop the issue entirely, though, if you are worried like I was - http://germanautosolutions.com/DISA_Valve_Repair_Kit.html
Apart from being much, much stronger than the original plastic unit, the rod that runs through the middle is one piece, so nothing can fall out. It also saved my buying a whole new DISA unit as the actual plastic was in relatively good condition. The bell crank that deals with the movement suffered the most damage and the pin at the top had come a little loose, though, it wasn't going to fall out anytime soon.
Removing the DISA is relatively easy, especially if you give yourself some room by disconnecting the tubing to what I assume is the air filter? Whatever it is, it's the big pipe next to the DISA unit on the right side of the engine as you look to the back of the car. The worst bit was reconnecting the bloody airflow tube as there isn't much room to play with, but 30 minutes later (and a bleeding arm - who puts a metal spike in an engine bay?) it all slotted back.
I've yet to drive the Zeddy with her new part yet so I will report back with how it runs. People who have done this before have seen minor improvements in responsiveness but it could be a placebo type thing.
I will say the parts aren't cheap for but compared with the price of a DISA unit itself it isn't so bad. If your car is high mileage I would check this out, as others would also say, just to see if yours needs some TLC. If so, this could be a good option.
Thought some of you might be interested! I can post a video or images of where all this goes on, if you are equally new to car mechanics as I am.
When I got my car it had a very minor rattle, and disconnecting the DISA verified it as a problem in there (when running the engine just take off the connector, if you want to test it yourself). From what I've read, a slight bit of give in the DISA unit can cause the rattle you can hear when the car is idling. I then read your engine - in very extreme cases, I might add - can be damaged by the top pin piece, which is what holds the DISA valve in place inside the unit. Basically, it drops into the engine and you can work out what a piece of metal does to other bits of moving metal. There are some images on t'internet if interested!
So I did a bit of research and this led me to believe BMW obviously had an off day when designing this unit. It seems there's a way to stop the issue entirely, though, if you are worried like I was - http://germanautosolutions.com/DISA_Valve_Repair_Kit.html
Apart from being much, much stronger than the original plastic unit, the rod that runs through the middle is one piece, so nothing can fall out. It also saved my buying a whole new DISA unit as the actual plastic was in relatively good condition. The bell crank that deals with the movement suffered the most damage and the pin at the top had come a little loose, though, it wasn't going to fall out anytime soon.
Removing the DISA is relatively easy, especially if you give yourself some room by disconnecting the tubing to what I assume is the air filter? Whatever it is, it's the big pipe next to the DISA unit on the right side of the engine as you look to the back of the car. The worst bit was reconnecting the bloody airflow tube as there isn't much room to play with, but 30 minutes later (and a bleeding arm - who puts a metal spike in an engine bay?) it all slotted back.
I've yet to drive the Zeddy with her new part yet so I will report back with how it runs. People who have done this before have seen minor improvements in responsiveness but it could be a placebo type thing.
I will say the parts aren't cheap for but compared with the price of a DISA unit itself it isn't so bad. If your car is high mileage I would check this out, as others would also say, just to see if yours needs some TLC. If so, this could be a good option.
Thought some of you might be interested! I can post a video or images of where all this goes on, if you are equally new to car mechanics as I am.
