DIY: Golf tee mod / exhaust flapper disable w/ pictures

[backtoreality15]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhiteMan

Is there any diff between the cable tie method and the disconnect/plug method?

No. I assume the disconnect would have a better seal.

[AlpineWhiteMan]

ok im confused what size plug should i use 3/16th, 5/16th, 5/32 they have all been mentioned.....

[InsaneSkippy]

I just zip stripped my vacuum line and it worked perfectly. It was harder to find a zip strip than to actually do the mod.

[wmj73]

May sound like a stupid question but where can I get a vacuum plu? hardware store?

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by wmj73

May sound like a stupid question but where can I get a vacuum plu? hardware store?

You should be able to find them at a hardware store.

However if you have a zip tie/zip strip you can just kink the hose and tighten the tie/strip around the kink. This is what I did because I didn't have any plugs.

[wmj73]

Awesome, that means I dont have to unplug the hose? If thats the case it sounds pretty good!!!

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by wmj73

Awesome, that means I dont have to unplug the hose? If thats the case it sounds pretty good!!!

Yup, I didn't unhook/plug anything. The hardest part was finding a zip strip in my garage

[Johnnyr135]

Sticking two BB's is the easiest way to do it and the dealer cannot tell

[EmeraldRx]

I did zip ties yesterday and def. a different sound

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by Johnnyr

Sticking two BB's is the easiest way to do it and the dealer cannot tell

I'd have to disagree. I think the zip tie method is by far easier. You don't have to disconnect/reconnect anything. You just kink the hose then zip tie it. You just need a pair of cutters to take it off if you're worried about the dealership.

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by Johnnyr

Sticking two BB's is the easiest way to do it and the dealer cannot tell

What size ball bearings did you use and where did you get them from?

Originally Posted by InsaneSkippy

I'd have to disagree. I think the zip tie method is by far easier. You don't have to disconnect/reconnect anything. You just kink the hose then zip tie it. You just need a pair of cutters to take it off if you're worried about the dealership.

I have to disagree with you as well. It may be easier than having to pull off a single vacuum hose and insert some ball bearings but down the road, when the hose breaks from bending it that way, you end up having a vacuum leak.

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by MadMan77

I have to disagree with you as well. It may be easier than having to pull off a single vacuum hose and insert some ball bearings but down the road, when the hose breaks from bending it that way, you end up having a vacuum leak.

I doubt the hose would break from being kinked, but what I was talking about is the ease of INSTALLMENT. Imagine trying to get two BBs out of the line once they've been stuck in there for a while..

You cannot deny that it's MUCH easier to zip tie something than it is to disconnect the hose, buy the right sized BBs (after all who has an assortment of various sized BBs on hand?), then reconnect the hose (which now won't stay on as well because you've broken the factory seal on the line.)

[mistermojorizin]

Originally Posted by InsaneSkippy

I doubt the hose would break from being kinked, but what I was talking about is the ease of INSTALLMENT. Imagine trying to get two BBs out of the line once they've been stuck in there for a while..

You cannot deny that it's MUCH easier to zip tie something than it is to disconnect the hose, buy the right sized BBs (after all who has an assortment of various sized BBs on hand?), then reconnect the hose (which now won't stay on as well because you've broken the factory seal on the line.)

what i heard people do is use a screw instead of BBs. Then to get it out you just unscrew it.

i used a ziptie though. It was easy to get, got like 50 black ones for $0.99 at the 99 cent store. but, for me at least, it was a bit of a hassle actually kinking it and tying it. i found there was very little space to work under the exhaust and the hose had very little slack.

[backtoreality15]

Originally Posted by Phiberglass

To kink it just take a metal hangler and put it where you want the kink. Pull down so the hose dips into a U then put the zip tie around it and slowly pull in, once it gets semi- tight you can let go of the hanger but keep it in there. Pull the hose together and fasten the zip tie then pull the hanger out and your done. I did mine in about 20 seconds. If I had 2 people + a hanger you could do it in 5 seconds.

Negative. No room for two people under there. Already tried that, lol. Just patience is the key.

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by backtoreality15

Negative. No room for two people under there. Already tried that, lol. Just patience is the key.

I think what he was suggesting was someone could hold the hanger from like 3 feet away (fully straightened hanger with a hook on the end) and have them keep the tension while he zip tied it.

I could be wrong though.

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by InsaneSkippy

I doubt the hose would break from being kinked, but what I was talking about is the ease of INSTALLMENT. Imagine trying to get two BBs out of the line once they've been stuck in there for a while..

You cannot deny that it's MUCH easier to zip tie something than it is to disconnect the hose, buy the right sized BBs (after all who has an assortment of various sized BBs on hand?), then reconnect the hose (which now won't stay on as well because you've broken the factory seal on the line.)

Yes, it is easier to ZIP tie the line but I am a big fan of clean "installs" if you will. A kinked hose and a ZIP tie are a temporary workaround in my mind.

I was speaking of LONGEVITY obviously. As for the ball bearings being stuck in the line I am not sure why you would want to take the ball bearings out but yes it would be nearly impossible.

However, I have no idea what you are talking about with the hose not being able to stay one because the "factory seal" is broken. It is a rubber vacuum line. They do not depend on actual vacuum to stay on the actuator nipple.

[ronnyek]

this is actually quite humerous... do it however you want, I really really doubt bmw cares about how "stock" that looks... its for quieting the car down in open loop and low rpms/speed... its not like making that mod is like yanking your boost control solenoid vaccumm lines.

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by ronnyek

this is actually quite humerous... do it however you want, I really really doubt bmw cares about how "stock" that looks... its for quieting the car down in open loop and low rpms/speed... its not like making that mod is like yanking your boost control solenoid vaccumm lines.

Exactly.

It's not like this would void your powertrain warranty..

[mistermojorizin]

bmw found the bb in one dude's lines and he said the techs were pissed.

there's a thread on e90post on it.

[Papito135]

Just do what the dealership will do if you get a BMW Performance Exhaust.

[1Ronnie]

Yes, that's "Open" and should stay that way with the mod, as soon as you start the car, and pressure is put into the system, it should flick to the closed position without the Mod.

If it isn't closing after removing the cable tie, are you sure there is no kink in the hose still?

[Zonian22]

I thought about the golf tee mod, but I don't think it's necessary, because when I cold-start my car, the flap will close and then reopen in about a minute (at this point I do not know if it closes off again while I'm driving, but everytime I get out of the car to check, it's in the open position). When I hot-start the car, the flap never closes while in idle. My conclusion: if the flap remains open all the time, except during the first minute of starting the engine, there is no reason to do the golf tee mod. :iono: