OK I know I am not the first to do this, someone had to clue me in, but instead of plugging, crimping, or otherwise disconnecting the vacuum line under the car, just unplug the actuator in the trunk in front of the drivers side tail light. I was a little unclear as to how this works, but it's dead...

can anyone post pics on how to do this with the e93? thanks!

I know for a fact that my tune (PROcede Rev2) overrides the vacuum and keeps the fumeflap open at all times. I'm betting other tunes do the same also (COBB, JB, etc.). This DOES cause a code to be thrown (12140 Exhaust fumeflap, input signal), but it is a very common code that everyone that is running a tune deals with. I'm betting unplugging the vacuum actuator cable in the trunk will throw this exact same code. I also don't see any major problems coming from this at all.

Can anyone help me out here?

I was trying to do this:
http://www.billswebspace.com/bmw67.jpg

However, I can't get the hose out, I feel like I'm going to rip the entire exhaust off.

Are they super glued on the 2010 models or something? Or is there a trick?

E92

Just did this "mod". Took < 3min. Instantly noticed the sound difference upon start up. No error codes on dash. However when idling, the sound slowly dies down. I am assuming this is because the car is trying to warm up?

Yeah you got it.

Has anyone ever lost one of the cords? It's been like 6 months since I last reattached them, and it looks like the female end (not the one with the metal bar) fell further down into that compartment. Any ideas on how to retrieve?

what is the name of this mod???
isnt golf tee?

The unplugged actuator cable..

Love the low end growl, but freeway drones bug the hell outer me, considering I drive freeway a lot, I duuno what I should do! First world problem haha!

This mod was sooo easy literally took like 15 secs to complete. It actually makes the exhaust sound a lot deeper and more desirable.

Wow, shocked to see so much activity and concern over this... Probably should have expected it though, throw a black and white thing in a room full of A types and the results might get bloody.

Well, FWIW I didn't invent unplugging the solenoid. I just posted pics of it. The reason I considered the plug a better option than the Golf Tea, BB, etc is the ease with which it can be reversed. Just go down first thing in the AM re-connect the plug and the car is quiet.

What's important though is that this will do nothing unless you unplug first thing in the morning. That loud rasp you hear during cold starts that disappears after about a minute is the valve in question closing.

There seemed to be some confusion about what valve does that we are fiddling with.

For those concerned about codes at the dealership I would just go ahead and crimp, Golf tee the vacuum line instead.

It's a minor little thing, that really only makes a sound difference at low to mid RPM. Basically it just sounds better when puttering around town. If you "hear" something else it's likely in your head. If you "feel" a power increase it's certainly a defective SOTP Dyno.

SO as was said 27 pages ago, this is a silly little "mod" that simply makes a little more noise. Most likely harmless, have yet to see any real evidence over 27 pages of discussion that it's at all harmful. If you're nervous, DON'T DO IT.

Simple, it's likely less destructive and less harmful to your engines life than Downpipes, JBs, proceed, hell even a cat back system. If we are talking about systems placed under new stresses, higher stresses anyway. Any of these well accepted mods are guaranteed to be placing more stress and have a higher likely hood of causing problems than a single valve, in an OEM exhaust.

Then again, maybe it will cause your motor to go Kilo Bravo. Who knows.


Just a thought, but the hose clip thingi's posted in here somewhere? Seem like a terrific idea, no codes, hose blocked, easy on and off.

I did this and while it is a good DIY, it was not for me. Thanks for giving me the option though!!!

Something strange here... I've a 2008 e90 335xi (sedan) sport package, I've unplugged the actuator cable, and I've not seen any sound difference or so. Then I got the JB4 G5, so I plugged back the actuator cable, and set the CANflap option using menu 4 option 5 (force it open all time). Again, I've not seen any sound difference or so. Any idea why? valve blocked? Thanks.

No idea, unless you are not doing it first thing in the AM. Has to be a true cold start condition before you do it. Otherwise I got nothing.

Just chiming in again (last checked in on this thread about two years ago) to say that I've now driven 38,000 miles with the solenoid unplugged (and Cobb stg 1 for the past 20k miles), and the car is doing just fine.

Chesmu he is soo right this mod has my 335 sounding much better than what i had before.

this damage anything about the car? and is it good on a 2007 335i?

nice post btw

Great post. Will try on my 335i this weekend.

I agree. The drone was nuts so I reconnect it.

Just to comment on someones earlier post.

Ive taken my car to the dealer, however i plugger the acutator cable back in just in case they try and decline any warranty work due to it being unplugged.

They did see the codes stored in the memory, but also saw that it was working fine. Service advisor was a bit puzzled, and said that this kinda thing happpens sometimes and flaps throw faulty codes hahahaha.

As soon as i walked out, unplugged it again and went on my way.

just did this, took about 15 seconds, any confirmed issues from the dealership after doing this mod? like refusing warranty work?

oh nice