rattling noise

[ned coed]

i've got a rattling noise which comes from the black plastic cover/body which is located on the lower part of the aluminium intake(lower down the right side by dip stick ). it looks like it has two small bolts on the top edge where one of the bolts also carries the dip stick tube bracket. sorry i don't know the correct term for this alli induction box thing.
it makes the noise just after i blip the throttle. i've located it to this plastic cover area. can someone tell me whats behind this cover. i don.t want to disturb anything until i'm sure what i need to do. i need to fix it quick as i need the car for work - help?. it's a 318is 1997 model.

[WhoNew]

It's called the "DISA" It is a valve that opens and closes with engine rpm to take advantage of the long/short intake runners. They all rattle, unless they are new. I have only heard of one case where it actually failed. Hope this helps.

[ned coed]

whonew, thanks for your response. but i,ve had this car for two years and it's only now that it.s making this noise. i'm worried incase something might fall apart and get sucked up into the engine

[ned coed]

thanks for your advice, but i've had this car for two years and i,ve never heard it make this noise before. i'm worried in case something inside it might fall apart and the bits will be sucked up the intake- is this a possibility.perhaps i should remove it and check the unit out anyway but i'm not sure if i'll need any parts i.e. gaskets etc just to do this check.

[WhoNew]

Sorry for the late response. Yes, you can take the screws out and look at it. Now that you know what it's called (DISA), you can google it. Like I said, I have only ever heard of one failure--- Parts sucked into the engine. It is all plastic inside, even the shaft the butterfly rides on. I'm sure it has the ability to bend valves (or worse) if it happens. If it's not the DISA rattling, I couldn't tell you what it is.

[ned coed]

ok whonew. i'm going to take it apart next w/end and see if all is as it should be. i might just order up a new o ring where the valve fits. i'm hoping it's a straight forward job cos i cant be without transport. anyway thanks for you reply.