[Blueeyesredpanda]

Me and freedomfries have been having some trouble with our DISAs.

When we used INPA to test out the DISA they only open or close 20% but never open or close 100%. I bought brand new DISA and found out how brand new disa should behave.
While I was rebuilding the old DISA, there was quite a bit cloudy and sticky oil chunk that could be picked up by my finger. This is due to the flap's gasket failing and this is one of the reasons that the motor fail.
So there is some risk to take when you buy used DISAs, as you cannot inspect the inside of the DISAs.

Here are two videos that I made

1st DISA is a newly rebuilt unit with a malfunctioning motor.
2nd DISA is a brand new latest version unit with 0km on it.
Both DISAs are OEM BMW units

Video #1

Video #2 tested with the same cord

Video I made before to show that I properly rebuilt the DISA

[The Nightman]

Thanks again for taking the time to test the valves! We finally have a reference for how working DISA valves are supposed to behave during the INPA test. Now we know that the motors in the valves can also fail and that solid flaps are not sufficient proof of working valves.

In my case, I purchased a used 3IM with original BMW valves 11617560537 and 11617560538. Both small and large valves would only close partially during the INPA test:



Without any reference, I believed this was just how the INPA test worked until I immediately got fault code 2AAC for a faulty motor in the small valve. I suspect that oil intrusion damages the motors as there was a significant amount of oil in my valves. In hindsight, I would buy a used bare manifold but new DISA valves with the money saved by using a BimmerLabs tune.

With that said, performance still felt decent with my faulty valves but definitely not as much improvement as I originally expected. Slightly faster in low to mid RPMs while the same or less in high RPMs. I suspect performance will vary greatly depending on how your valves fail. I will update on how new valves perform once I've replaced them.

To test the valves with INPA, go to Engine > your DME (eg MSV80.0) > F6 (Activate) > F1 (Actuator Activations 1) > Shift+F6 (VIMDISA). I believe you should return control to the DME (F3) afterwards.



You can test the large DISA valve without removing the intake manifold:

Update:
I received my new DISA valves and installed them. Here are the comparison videos:

Large DISA - faulty motor, BMW (Mahle) 11617560537:

Large DISA - brand new, BMW (Mahle) 11617579114:

Small DISA - faulty motor (code 2AAC), BMW (Mahle) 11617560538:

Small DISA - brand new, BMW (Mahle) 11617560538:

The replacement took about 2.5-3.0 hours. I'll report back on performance after more seat time.

Update: Much better performance with the new DISA valves! Power delivery is buttery smooth and consistent throughout the entire power band. I've also started breaking traction under acceleration more often. I have the BimmerLabs 330i software for reference.

[atmosphericM]

Just to be clear, if DISA valves are malfunctioning, the DME will DEFINITELY throw a CEL, right?

What mileage do you guys think these go out at roughly, anyway?

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

Just to be clear, if DISA valves are malfunctioning, the DME will DEFINITELY throw a CEL, right?

Not necessarily. My 2AAC fault code did not trigger the CEL but it shows up in INPA and Carly.

[AWSB328iM]

Wow thank you! Now I will definitely test my valves before installing the manifold.

[desertman123]

Valuable info you got here. Thank you.

[Noir]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

Just to be clear, if DISA valves are malfunctioning, the DME will DEFINITELY throw a CEL, right?

What mileage do you guys think these go out at roughly, anyway?

Mine did NOT....
Sadly, my dyno tune was done whilst one or both were failing lol...
No CEL, just down on power, in my experience anyways. YMMV.

[atmosphericM]

Thanks guys. So it sounds like it definitely throws a code but a CEL will not necessarily pop up? So if I have a way to check "stealth codes" or whatever they're called (such as INPA or Carly), I'd know from there?

I'm asking because it seems that these valves go out pretty easily. I mean, I of course have no idea what kind of mileage are on the used manifolds everyone is buying second-hand, but it almost seems like the DISAs are always bad from what I'm seeing lol. I want to make SURE that mine are still functioning properly before my CPO warranty expires next year (N51 so my car came from factory with them).

[Noir]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

Thanks guys. So it sounds like it definitely throws a code but a CEL will not necessarily pop up? So if I have a way to check "stealth codes" or whatever they're called (such as INPA or Carly), I'd know from there?

I'm asking because it seems that these valves go out pretty easily. I mean, I of course have no idea what kind of mileage are on the used manifolds everyone is buying second-hand, but it almost seems like the DISAs are always bad from what I'm seeing lol. I want to make SURE that mine are still functioning properly before my CPO warranty expires next year (N51 so my car came from factory with them).

I THINK... I was shy of 100k when I was on the dyno. Shortly after had the valves cleaned up.
My car came with the 3IM from factory..

[AlphaBetaX5]

Great info.
Thanks


So a halfway opened disa valve considered malfunctioning and throws a code?

I'd like to test my large disa too.

[vilord]

Is it important to pull the valves and look at them when testing, or did PWM value not change for the failed valve?

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by vilord

Is it important to pull the valves and look at them when testing, or did PWM value not change for the failed valve?

PWM values didn't change with my faulty motors. Only way to be certain is a visual inspection while testing with INPA.

[The Nightman]

I received my new DISA valves and installed them. Here are the comparison videos:

Large DISA - faulty motor, BMW (Mahle) 11617560537:

Large DISA - brand new, BMW (Mahle) 11617579114:

Small DISA - faulty motor (code 2AAC), BMW (Mahle) 11617560538:

Small DISA - brand new, BMW (Mahle) 11617560538:

The replacement took about 2.5-3.0 hours. I'll report back on performance after more seat time.

Update: Much better performance with the new DISA valves! Power delivery is buttery smooth and consistent throughout the entire power band. I've also started breaking traction under acceleration more often. I have the BimmerLabs 330i software for reference.

[pinoye90]

Anyone know how to test this on BT TOOL?
Thanks

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by pinoye90

Anyone know how to test this on BT TOOL?
Thanks

Not possible

[Richwm]

Originally Posted by pinoye90

Anyone know how to test this on BT TOOL?
Thanks

It is under engine, activations, there is a open and close command for each individual valve.

[lche059]

great info thanks. anyone knows if i can do this test with intake manifold out of the car? i'm doing the pcv replacement and have already had the manifold removed.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by lche059

great info thanks. anyone knows if i can do this test with intake manifold out of the car? i'm doing the pcv replacement and have already had the manifold removed.

It's easier to do it without the manifold in the car (so you can access the small DISA) but you need INPA

[markslc1]

So how does the car drive with the faulty valves? I'm wondering what the telltale symptoms are that one or both are failing.

[oldsport]

Hello everyone, I went ahead and began to install the 3IM and when I tested the big and small DISA valves, the big clearly was moving only a small amount and the small valve was opening and closing much better. I also had an issue with the CCV hose and it broke as I was trying to get things on. I had been doing it in a Walmart parking lot since I had no place at apartment. The car idles erratically and shuts off and is crazy. Luckily I was able to drive it to front of my apartment to park it. Is this what to expect with DISA not working properly and the CCV hose off?

I am not sure if I should rebuild or just go back to stock at this point... Please help.

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by oldsport

the big clearly was moving only a small amount and the small valve was opening and closing much better.

Originally Posted by oldsport

Hello everyone, I went ahead and began to install the 3IM and when I tested the big and small DISA valves, the big clearly was moving only a small amount and the small valve was opening and closing much better. I also had an issue with the CCV hose and it broke as I was trying to get things on. I had been doing it in a Walmart parking lot since I had no place at apartment. The car idles erratically and shuts off and is crazy. Luckily I was able to drive it to front of my apartment to park it. Is this what to expect with DISA not working properly and the CCV hose off?

I am not sure if I should rebuild or just go back to stock at this point... Please help.

With the CCV hose off it will stall. Happened to me when I forgot to reconnect it

Sounded like your Large Disa motor is almost dead. You need a new Large DISA

See video for reference (thanks bootymac)

Faulty DISA

New DISA

[Zajac1]

I'm just curious. It's possible to test Disas with Foxwell Nt510 >??