[TheSt|G]

Problem:

It looks like BMW didn't really learn their lesson from the DISA failures of the M54. I've seen this rumored elsewhere, but this is pretty definitive proof.

Originally Posted by E90cruisin

UPDATE:

So I finally bit the bullet and took it into a shop that was recommended to me. A valve in the 6th Cylinder was stuck open, so we all assumed it was a bent valve.

When the mechanic opened it up, he saw a plastic piece stuck on the valve. There was a plastic piece that was holding the valve opened, which caused the loss of compression and the misfire.

The plastic piece came from the adjuster unit in the manifold (part 11617579114). The shaft holding the flap of the unit came undone, broke off, and flew into the motor. Luckily it was plastic, and no damage was done. The mechanice took the piece out, replaced the adjuster unit, and car is perfect again. Thought I would let everyone know what happened. Check your adjuster unit for any play!

Solution:

Short term, anyone running a DISA unit from '06-'07( can just replace the unit. Safest bet would be something in the neighborhood of 6 year intervals, but frankly, I think this solution is expensive and has the nagging issue of not actually fixing the problem. It should also be noted, this design was never improved by BMW during the course of the N52. I just picked 06'-'07 as they are the oldest and most likely to fail first.

Long term, I want German Auto Solutions(G.A.S.) to make use the same DISA upgrade lockdown kit that they make for the M54 DISA unit. It is a solid metal flap that will not degrade over time like the stock plastic unit, which will prevent it from going into the engine. I'm not aware of anyone having a failure after upgrading to that unit.

To that end, it would be great if everyone would fire them an email using their contact page to express interest in having a part made:

http://www.germanautosolutions.com/contact.php

I doubt we are all going to get as lucky as the guy I quoted did. This is a very serious problem that can cause complete engine failure. Lets be proactive about it.

[RazRokz.!]

Looks like I'll be changing mine yearly

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Looks like I'll be changing mine yearly

Yeah, that's where I am right now.

Ideally though, I just want GAS to make us a kit.

[DickBlisken]

Phew. Installing my three-stage intake manifold this weekend. So glad I opted for one from an '08 N51 328xi.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Nico87

Phew. Installing my three-stage intake manifold this weekend. So glad I opted for one from an '08 N51 328xi.

I think you stopped reading too soon.

[DickBlisken]

Originally Posted by Obioban

I think you stopped reading too soon.

What do you mean? Obviously all parts are going to eventually fail. OP was referencing 2006 and 2007 specifically as being the first to potentially do so.

Checked both valves upon my manifold arriving, tight as can be.

[SDemetris]

I asked about this a few times because i saw the M54 failures and that would be a shitty way to lose and engine. Have a good idea what the cost of these would be or how much theyre selling them for the M54 for? Also pictures of it would be nice. If it isnt too complicated of a part I might make some for myself. Im imagining a flat piece of aluminum with a threaded hole on top or something along those lines.

EDIT: for 2 valves we would probably be around $800 it looks like.. also that seems like a PITA to make the same side profile. A flatter one wouldnt be too bad to fab up, but idk how it would work in comparison

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by SDemetris

I asked about this a few times because i saw the M54 failures and that would be a shitty way to lose and engine. Have a good idea what the cost of these would be or how much theyre selling them for the M54 for? Also pictures of it would be nice. If it isnt too complicated of a part I might make some for myself. Im imagining a flat piece of aluminum with a threaded hole on top or something along those lines.

EDIT: for 2 valves we would probably be around $800 it looks like.. also that seems like a PITA to make the same side profile. A flatter one wouldnt be too bad to fab up, but idk how it would work in comparison

New OE BMW is $520 total for both for the N52.

The GAS DIY kit for the M54 is $80. So we could effectively double that for a total of $160 in DIY parts for a permanent lockdown. Much cheaper than OE BMW and much better.

[iBoost]

Just replaced mine on my e46. Took 13 years to give out so I think replacing it yearly is an overkill. Also I've read that most fail but the flap won't come completely off so I think that case was a rare one.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by iBoost

Just replaced mine on my e46. Took 13 years to give out so I think replacing it yearly is an overkill. Also I've read that most fail but the flap won't come completely off so I think that case was a rare one.

No one is saying replace it yearly.

My point, incase it wasn't clear, is that it appears from that post and others that I have seen that the DISA units on the N52 intake manifold seem to suffer the same issue as the M54 units. I want a permanent solution to remove the problem, which ideally people could do at the same time as they upgrade to the DISA manifold(especially as most of the upgrade manifolds are off early N52s).

[Taskmaster]

Former M52TU owner here - Failure is not a common issue.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Former M52TU owner here - Failure is not a common issue.

Good thing no one mentioned the M52TU in this thread.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Good thing no one mentioned the M52TU in this thread.

M52TU = M54

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

M52TU = M54

No more than the M50=M52.

It's a predacessor, not the same engine. They do not share part numbers on the DISA valve. No idea where you are trying to go with this.

[iBoost]

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Looks like I'll be changing mine yearly

^

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

No one is saying replace it yearly.

My point, incase it wasn't clear, is that it appears from that post and others that I have seen that the DISA units on the N52 intake manifold seem to suffer the same issue as the M54 units. I want a permanent solution to remove the problem, which ideally people could do at the same time as they upgrade to the DISA manifold(especially as most of the upgrade manifolds are off early N52s).

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

No more than the M50=M52.

It's a predacessor, not the same engine. They do not share part numbers on the DISA valve. No idea where you are trying to go with this.

Except that they both are 2 stage DISA engines essentially are interchagable? I don't know what point you're trying to make - the sky isn't falling. I owned 2 different M52TU, and 1 with a M54 intake manifold on it, never had an issue and the majority of owners will not.

I would recommend regular inspections of the DISAs to make sure they aren't overly loose though.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by iBoost

^

Read that as early. I'm certainly not advocating yearly.

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Except that they both are 2 stage DISA engines essentially are interchagable? I don't know what point you're trying to make - the sky isn't falling. I owned 2 different M52TU, and 1 with a M54 intake manifold on it, never had an issue and the majority of owners will not.

I would recommend regular inspections of the DISAs to make sure they aren't overly loose though.

M52TU is still irrelevant. Happy your M54 manifold didn't have an issue. That doesn't mean that it isn't one of the main issues with that engine.

I'm not saying the sky is falling, I'm saying we are starting to see the same issue that the last generation of DISA had. Assuming the cost is similar to the M54 kit, it would be idiotic to not upgrade units. Checking ones DISAs is certainly a good idea, but diagnosing aging plastic isn't always that easy and in order to check the second DISA you will need to remove the entire intake manifold. I highly doubt most people are going to be willing to pop it off 1-2 times a year to see what's what.

[Tim603]

I mean if we can buy a new kit to fix the issue for $160 I'd say it's probably worth it

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Tim603

I mean if we can buy a new kit to fix the issue for $160 I'd say it's probably worth it

Exactly my thought process. Reach out to GAS so they see interest in it.

[Route 16]

This is a maintenance part? simple DIY?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Route 16

This is a maintenance part? simple DIY?

It should not be too bad, and if they make a kit, something you only have to do once. Install should be similar to installing the DISA manifold as you will have to remove it to get to the one on the underside.

Here's a mild write-up I did on the manifold install:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824894

[TheSt|G]

As an update, German Auto Solutions is currently looking into it and has purchased the DISA adjusters for upgrade evaluation.