Failing DISA or something else?

steel609 · 02-21-2019, 12:53 PM

2010 BMW E92 N51. I get this weird noise coming from the upper DISA unit immediately after shutting the engine off. Not every time, but often enough. Sometimes it may only make this "cycling" sound once, other times it will go every 10 seconds or so for 2 minutes.

Any ideas?

RayLivingston · 02-21-2019, 01:16 PM

The DISA is a simple vacuum operated door. I don't see any way it could possibly make that noise. Look for other sources in that general area.

Regards,
Ray L.

Joebie · 02-21-2019, 01:30 PM

The disa valves on the N51 are not vacuum operated, they are operated by a small motor so they could definitely make this sound. I think on older BMW models and other car makes they can be vacuum operated, but not the N51.

While I can't say that I have much experience with disa valves, or their failure modes, that sure sounds like a bad disa valve to me. Sounds too crunchy. I'd unbolt them from the intake and see if theyre operating properly. I'd bet one of them isn't.

Do you have any codes being thrown? If the valve isnt opening or closing properly, you'd think the car would be able to tell you.

Good luck!

jacob.fr7 · 02-21-2019, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joester

The disa valves on the N51 are not vacuum operated, they are operated by a small motor so they could definitely make this sound. I think on older BMW models and other car makes they can be vacuum operated, but not the N51.

While I can't say that I have much experience with disa valves, or their failure modes, that sure sounds like a bad disa valve to me. Sounds too crunchy. I'd unbolt them from the intake and see if theyre operating properly. I'd bet one of them isn't.

Do you have any codes being thrown? If the valve isnt opening or closing properly, you'd think the car would be able to tell you.

Good luck!

Yeah, just got done doing this on my n51 - as well with a bad PCV valve (fun)

Buy them off FCP Euro, replaced both, pretty expensive but well worth it car run greats now. And when they fail again 100% replacement hassle free returns.

steel609 · 02-22-2019, 10:55 AM

I replaced this one about 2yrs ago from ECSTuning. The first one went bad and had the tell tale fluttering sound. This one isn't doing that, it only happens when I shut off the engine. Sometimes it will do it once, other times up to 5-6.

I haven't had any codes thrown to my knowledge, I'm sure they are there with a deep scan, but nothing on the dash.

No performance loss, no increase/decrease gas mileage.

I'm fairly positive the DISA is the problem due to when it is making the noise, I can place my hand on the part and feel it, doing what ever it is doing.

Odd.

hassmaschine · 02-23-2019, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

The DISA is a simple vacuum operated door. I don't see any way it could possibly make that noise. Look for other sources in that general area.

Regards,
Ray L.

It's not vacuum operated at all, and has absolutely nothing to do with it. In fact the N51/N52 run completely without vacuum. The throttle is opened fully 95% of the time.

steel609 · 02-25-2019, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

It's not vacuum operated at all, and has absolutely nothing to do with it. In fact the N51/N52 run completely without vacuum. The throttle is opened fully 95% of the time.

Do you have a theory on what would be causing this noise?

N52bigblock · 02-25-2019, 06:23 PM

Unplug the DISA valve and then see if it does it. It sounds like the gears inside might be stripped. I took my DISA apart and managed to get it working again, but my gears were ok.

desertman123 · 02-25-2019, 08:26 PM

Ew yeah that thing is toast. I agree with neilj35 that sounds like a stripped gear or failed motor.

Give that a listen. Hear how quick and sharp the big DISA sound is?

steel609 · 02-27-2019, 10:02 AM

I know how mine sounded the first time around when it was failing, this only happens (that I can hear) when the car is shut off, and almost every time is when get home in the evening.

e90yyc · 02-27-2019, 02:49 PM

Depending on the nature of the failure, it may be possible to rebuild the valve. Kits for this exist and are much cheaper than replacement. Worth checking out.

Good luck!

bluewater328 · 02-27-2019, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steel609

2010 BMW E92 N51. I get this weird noise coming from the upper DISA unit immediately after shutting the engine off. Not every time, but often enough. Sometimes it may only make this "cycling" sound once, other times it will go every 10 seconds or so for 2 minutes.

Any ideas?

It's the DISA. The large DISA is probably the culprit, correct? Either the motor inside is trying to overpush the gearing in there, or the actual fin is stuck or jammed in a way.

I had the same problem and sent the manufacturer a copy of a similar sounding video and they agreed to replace.

Scan your car, IIRC you are probably intermittently throwing code 2AAB or 2AA8. It's a code you can only see with something like INPA, won't be a triangle warning that you can see on dash.

02-21-2019, 12:53 PM	#1
steel609 Private 6 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2010 328i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Richmond, KY iTrader: (0)	Failing DISA or something else? 2010 BMW E92 N51. I get this weird noise coming from the upper DISA unit immediately after shutting the engine off. Not every time, but often enough. Sometimes it may only make this "cycling" sound once, other times it will go every 10 seconds or so for 2 minutes. Any ideas?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-21-2019, 01:16 PM	#2
RayLivingston Lieutenant 140 Rep 445 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The DISA is a simple vacuum operated door. I don't see any way it could possibly make that noise. Look for other sources in that general area. Regards, Ray L.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 01:30 PM	#3
Joebie Grandmaster 768 Rep 798 Posts Drives: 2018 ///M2 6MT Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	The disa valves on the N51 are not vacuum operated, they are operated by a small motor so they could definitely make this sound. I think on older BMW models and other car makes they can be vacuum operated, but not the N51. While I can't say that I have much experience with disa valves, or their failure modes, that sure sounds like a bad disa valve to me. Sounds too crunchy. I'd unbolt them from the intake and see if theyre operating properly. I'd bet one of them isn't. Do you have any codes being thrown? If the valve isnt opening or closing properly, you'd think the car would be able to tell you. Good luck! __________________ Daily - 2018 Alpinweiß ///M2 6MT Exec Rain/Snow/Winter - 2011 328i 6MT Sedan - Black on Black, Sport Package Sold, But Not Forgotten - 2009 135i 6MT - Black on Black, M-sport, JB4
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2019, 10:55 AM	#5
steel609 Private 6 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2010 328i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Richmond, KY iTrader: (0)	I replaced this one about 2yrs ago from ECSTuning. The first one went bad and had the tell tale fluttering sound. This one isn't doing that, it only happens when I shut off the engine. Sometimes it will do it once, other times up to 5-6. I haven't had any codes thrown to my knowledge, I'm sure they are there with a deep scan, but nothing on the dash. No performance loss, no increase/decrease gas mileage. I'm fairly positive the DISA is the problem due to when it is making the noise, I can place my hand on the part and feel it, doing what ever it is doing. Odd.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2019, 06:23 PM	#8
N52bigblock Second Lieutenant 99 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2005 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NZ iTrader: (0)	Unplug the DISA valve and then see if it does it. It sounds like the gears inside might be stripped. I took my DISA apart and managed to get it working again, but my gears were ok.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2019, 08:26 PM	#9
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Ew yeah that thing is toast. I agree with neilj35 that sounds like a stripped gear or failed motor. Give that a listen. Hear how quick and sharp the big DISA sound is? __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2019, 10:02 AM	#10
steel609 Private 6 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2010 328i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Richmond, KY iTrader: (0)	I know how mine sounded the first time around when it was failing, this only happens (that I can hear) when the car is shut off, and almost every time is when get home in the evening.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2019, 02:49 PM	#11
e90yyc Art Collector 2425 Rep 3,449 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Depending on the nature of the failure, it may be possible to rebuild the valve. Kits for this exist and are much cheaper than replacement. Worth checking out. Good luck! __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
	Appreciate 0 Quote