Disa Valve // Adjuster Unit

[///Motorsport KoP]

Hi everyone, seems that my DISA VALVE is busted (says Zeemax). Do these faults appear under a diagnostic?

Anyhow, they replaced mine with a 2nd hand unit but the problem still persists. So either that was not the problem (rough idle, on idle the revs will drop and sometimes cut out - this happens sometimes while driving but very quickly), or the replacement unit is also faulty. Anyhow, car is going back there tomorrow. But i suspect that I have a small vacuum leak somewhere, this will cause the same symptoms or not? Also when i switch off the car I can hear a pressure like noise of air pushing out somewhere.

The dealers wants 5k for a Disa valve!! Do i have any alternative options?

Oh - my car is a 1998 E36 318iS (M44 engine)

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A link to the part :

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CD78-ZA-04-1998-E36-BMW-318is&diagId=11_6111

 

[JohnLod]

Hi everyone, seems that my DISA VALVE is busted (says Zeemax). Do these faults appear under a diagnostic?

Anyhow, they replaced mine with a 2nd hand unit but the problem still persists. So either that was not the problem (rough idle, on idle the revs will drop and sometimes cut out - this happens sometimes while driving but very quickly), or the replacement unit is also faulty. Anyhow, car is going back there tomorrow. But i suspect that I have a small vacuum leak somewhere, this will cause the same symptoms or not? Also when i switch off the car I can hear a pressure like noise of air pushing out somewhere.

The dealers wants 5k for a Disa valve!! Do i have any alternative options?

Oh - my car is a 1998 E36 318iS (M44 engine)

---

A link to the part :

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CD78-ZA-04-1998-E36-BMW-318is&diagId=11_6111

---

Hi,

if you loosen thaoil filler cap when it idles, does it feel like it is sucking hard, usually the cap comes off quite easily, if the crank vent valve is blocked it sucks it on and is usually a bit difficult to remove, lots of sucking.

Regards

 

[///Motorsport KoP]

Hi John,

I saw the mechanic do this test and their was a slight hiccup from the engine but the oil cap did open quite easily.....so this means that there is no vacuum leak?


[/quote]

Hi,

if you loosen thaoil filler cap when it idles, does it feel like it is sucking hard, usually the cap comes off quite easily, if the crank vent valve is blocked it sucks it on and is usually a bit difficult to remove, lots of sucking.

Regards
[/quote]

 

[JohnLod]

The one option is to take a lubricant spray and spray all around the intake and see if the beat of the engine changes, if it does this will give you an indication of were to look if there is an air leak. What you can do is remove the DISA system and see what it looks like, see if it is broken?

You also need to check the black vent pipes to see if the y haven't maybe collapsed due to age inbetwen the intake manifold, I can't remember if the M44 also has these pipes (suspect no) like on the M42. Yours has the small idle valve on the side of the throttle, correct?

Also maybe check is the DME shows signs of water damage, been lots of rain lately?

Regards

 

[///Motorsport KoP]

Yes I have the ICV on the side of throttle (I've cleaned this before and now so that couldnt be the problem?).

So Zeemax has replaced my DISA VALVE with a 2nd hand one, and lo and behold after 48hrs i started getting the symptoms again!!! The car is back there again and I've been told now that the MAF sensor is faulty. If the MAF was faulty all along would this have not thrown out a fault code specifically for the MAF?? Thereby no reason to have replaced the disa valve?

I feel like they do not know what they are doing or know what is the problem and I am paying for all their wrong troubleshooting??

 

[JohnLod]

Yes I have the ICV on the side of throttle (I've cleaned this before and now so that couldnt be the problem?).

So Zeemax has replaced my DISA VALVE with a 2nd hand one, and lo and behold after 48hrs i started getting the symptoms again!!! The car is back there again and I've been told now that the MAF sensor is faulty. If the MAF was faulty all along would this have not thrown out a fault code specifically for the MAF?? Thereby no reason to have replaced the disa valve?

I feel like they do not know what they are doing or know what is the problem and I am paying for all their wrong troubleshooting??

Hi,

difficult to comment on what faults were there previously, the one thing one needs to remember is that the vent valves are known to aged and get blocked. Have you sprayed the intake system as suggested earlier to see if the engine beat changes?
If there was a print out on the pervious visit then one would be able to compare before and after fault memories, you don't maybe have a friend with a same model so you can swop and test perhaps?
We don't really see these models everyday so it would be difficult to offer that option, send me the vin and I can see what other vehicles use the same MAF. You can also take a look your self and see if you see any dirt stuck on it.

Regards

 

[wikked]

Problem Identified: Zeemax

 

[///Motorsport KoP]

Hi John, thanks for always assisting. When you say vent valve are you referring to part #16 here -> http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CD78-ZA-04-1998-E36-BMW-318is&diagId=11_6104

I've replaced that about a year ago, it was damaged and i had issues with idling back then and after replacing it this fixed the issue. I do however hear a 'release of pressure' type of noise from this area when i turn OFF the car - is this normal?

OK while typing this out Zeemax has just called me now and now I am told that the Disa Valve installed last week was replaced again now with another and the car is fine! I am really thinking i am being screwed here, why won't mechanics just be honest with you. I still think that their was nothing wrong with my original disa valve and that maybe it was something as easy as cleaning the MAF, hence i am not being charged now again for a 2nd time. Eish i duno, i could be wrong, but i could be right. I'll be collecting the car later and just hope for the best.

 

[JohnLod]

Hi John, thanks for always assisting. When you say vent valve are you referring to part #16 here -> http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CD78-ZA-04-1998-E36-BMW-318is&diagId=11_6104

I've replaced that about a year ago, it was damaged and i had issues with idling back then and after replacing it this fixed the issue. I do however hear a 'release of pressure' type of noise from this area when i turn OFF the car - is this normal?

OK while typing this out Zeemax has just called me now and now I am told that the Disa Valve installed last week was replaced again now with another and the car is fine! I am really thinking i am being screwed here, why won't mechanics just be honest with you. I still think that their was nothing wrong with my original disa valve and that maybe it was something as easy as cleaning the MAF, hence i am not being charged now again for a 2nd time. Eish i duno, i could be wrong, but i could be right. I'll be collecting the car later and just hope for the best.

Hi,

no problem, yes I am referring to no 16. The older DISA system on the m42 motors were metal and if I remember and the later ones were more plastic M44 (Been a while). Now that I think about it I actually have a old M44 motor at home somewhere. Could be plausible what they are saying, hopefully they give you the old part and you and inspect it and make your own conclusion.

I must say that at least they have come to party, all be it in a round about way.

You mentioned that you replaced it last year, must say that they tend to last longer then that, one must also take a look at no13 as they also start deteriorating with time and suck air.

Hopefully this the end of your problems.

Give some feedback once tested.

Regards

 

[///Motorsport KoP]

Problem Identified: Zeemax

Where in Cape Town do you suggest I go next time?

 

[JohnLod]

Problem Identified: Zeemax

Where in Cape Town do you suggest I go next time?

Hopefully the Forum can guide you there, I am Pretoria and are not able to advise you other than going to the BMW dealers as I don't know anyone down there.

Sorry, but I am sure some one will be able to suggest someone to you.

Regards

 

[wikked]

Problem Identified: Zeemax

Where in Cape Town do you suggest I go next time?

I use Brilliant Mechanical in Kenilworth. Speak to Ric there, let him know your concerns, he hasn't steered me wrong to date with my M42 318i.

 

[Blue Shirt]

Problem Identified: Zeemax

Where in Cape Town do you suggest I go next time?

Brilliant Mechanical Workshop in Claremont.

 

[DuckKnuckle]

Problem Identified: Zeemax

Where in Cape Town do you suggest I go next time?

There's German Auto Specialist in Montague Gardens.

I've had issues with Brilliant Mechanical in the past, so GAS has been my go-go for the past year and a half

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[///Motorsport KoP]

Thanks - Im around Montague Gardens so I'll use them next time.

So, i collected my car now and F%^$&K the problem is still there!!! I cant believe I have to go back there a 3rd time - ZEEMAX is definitely not as great as i once thought!! I just cannot believe this.