All DISA N52s - Future Issue

[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.

[Dafttt]

Seems like a rare occurrence, but good information nonetheless. Thanks.

[Pothole]

Will pretty much depend on the mileage on the car combined with the age and way of driving. I've seen BMW's with DISA running 200.000 kilometers or 125.000 miles without issues.

However, better safe than sorry. Preventing this could save tons of money.

Good info stig!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

Seems like a rare occurrence, but good information nonetheless. Thanks.

I would suspect that is only because we are just now getting into the age range of failure.

Either way, I'm interested in getting GAS to make a solution for us, not replacing the units with new ones that will eventually fail as well.

Originally Posted by Pothole

Will pretty much depend on the mileage on the car combined with the age and way of driving. I've seen BMW's with DISA running 200.000 kilometers or 125.000 miles without issues.

However, better safe than sorry. Preventing this could save tons of money.

Good info stig!

As have I, but the penalty for failure is potentially HIGH.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I would suspect that is only because we are just now getting into the age range of failure.

Either way, I'm interested in getting GAS to make a solution for us, not replacing the units with new ones that will eventually fail as well.

Definitely in for a sturdy replacement if the subsequent failure is a blown engine. What was the failure rate on the M54 like?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

Definitely in for a sturdy replacement if the subsequent failure is a blown engine. What was the failure rate on the M54 like?

Decently high on the M54. Other than the VANOS seals, it is pretty much the only major issue the M54 suffers from.

It is largely regarded as a non-issue now though thanks to the GAS kit, which is why I strongly want them to develope a kit for our cars. Especially seeing that many members are swapping manifolds from MY '06/'07 cars onto later production N52s. Would be a great time to lock it down while the manifold is already off.

[kobeballer96]

I'm selling this pos screw it. My other car was reliable and was faster, and was still very nice inside!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by kobeballer96

I'm selling this pos screw it. My other car was reliable and was faster, and was still very nice inside!

On a serious note, all cars have issues. The difference is whether to you know what they are or not. I'm all about planning ahead to avoid expensive problems.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by kobeballer96

I'm selling this pos screw it. My other car was reliable and was faster, and was still very nice inside!

It's not a wide spread problem, the St|g is just measuring up the issue and making it known. This is more about being preemptive and finding a solution with better longevity, per se.

I'm not losing any sleep over this anytime soon.

[Fume]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

It's not a wide spread problem, the St|g is just measuring up the issue and making it known. This is more about being preemptive and finding a solution with better longevity, per se.

I'm not losing any sleep over this anytime soon.

+1. It doesn't seem widespread and St|g is doing good work informing us of these potential issues. I would rather know and have the option of taking preventative measures. I'm assuming this problem exists in the DISA in N51 cars?

[andrey_gta]

Oh yay. Thanks for the PSA.

When I swapped manifolds I wiggled the DISA to check if it was stable. Should be good for abit

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

It's not a wide spread problem, the St|g is just measuring up the issue and making it known. This is more about being preemptive and finding a solution with better longevity, per se.

I'm not losing any sleep over this anytime soon.

Exactly. It's a wonderful engine in a a great car. I'm just the type of guy who always wants to be prepared.

Originally Posted by Fume

+1. It doesn't seem widespread and St|g is doing good work informing us of these potential issues. I would rather know and have the option of taking preventative measures. I'm assuming this problem exists in the DISA in N51 cars?

Yes, should impact both equally.

[TheSt|G]

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

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

It's not a wide spread problem, the St|g is just measuring up the issue and making it known. This is more about being preemptive and finding a solution with better longevity, per se.

I'm not losing any sleep over this anytime soon.

You're right! Haha I just got frustrated for a moment there! On a serious note. Are you guys talking about the disa valve in the manifold swap? So the stock us spec n52 in the e82 don't have the valve issues in the stock manifold?

[631twentyeighteye]

Yup, the valve/flap that broke off is the DISA actuator flap that controls the air flow that optimizes power. Stock manifolds on US spec 128i's won't have this issue.

[MarkkyyMan]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

On a serious note, all cars have issues. The difference is whether to you know what they are or not. I'm all about planning ahead to avoid expensive problems.

Adding more moving parts that have a potential to break or break apart is inviting expensive problems. The beauty of the naturally aspirated six was its smoothness, sound, & reliability. Over time the addition of secondary systems adds weight and in long term decreases reliability.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

Adding more moving parts that have a potential to break or break apart is inviting expensive problems. The beauty of the naturally aspirated six was its smoothness, sound, & reliability. Over time the addition of secondary systems adds weight and in long term decreases reliability.

You have to go back 15 years to get a non-DISA I6.

[MarkkyyMan]

I understand that, but doesn't the 3 stage manifold add another DISA valve?

[128]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You have to go back 15 years to get a non-DISA I6.

St|g,
I thought the N52N did not have a DISA valve in the 128i!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

I understand that, but doesn't the 3 stage manifold add another DISA valve?

Stock 128i has zero DISA valves, 3 stage has two.

Originally Posted by 128

St|g,
I thought the N52N did not have a DISA valve in the 128i!

I just meant to get an engine that was not offered with it.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Exactly. It's a wonderful engine in a a great car.

Generally agree, I bought one.

But engine reliability, particularly auxiliary systems, seems to be the one place where the Japanese thrash BMW. I'm baffled why BMW fails to fix known issues, like water pumps and VANOS bolts, for years. Now this. It took them quite a while on the HPFP. The Japanese may have problems, but they are all over them. Does BMW not understand basic principles of quality improvement?

I'm really glad to have a CPO, with a total of six years of warranty on this kind of stuff. Hopefully, any weak/poorly installed parts will fail before then.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

Yup, the valve/flap that broke off is the DISA actuator flap that controls the air flow that optimizes power. Stock manifolds on US spec 128i's with N52s won't have this issue.

Fixed that... I'm one of the poor sots in a SULEV state.