DISA valve removal help please

I have a 2004 x3 2.5l and I can't get the DISA valve out due to the hard plastic firewall..(i think that is what it is) I think this is my problem I get codes p0171 and p0174 all the time read some forums and thought maybe it's the DISA valve.... Can't get it out though. Is there a way to check it with out removing it all the way? I can get it out far enough to tell that it still has some pressure to it as I can move the valve with my finger... Help please...

Here are some pictures

If there is still resistance on the flapper in the DISA, it most likely is still ok. A broken DISA will flap around freely. The rubber air intake is probably cracked and is most likely the culprit IMO.

Hello --

Have a related question, or maybe another example of this, from another thread (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho....php?p=6392739). My 2004 X3 3.0 won't start, and my current hypothesis is a broken DISA (pic below). The engine turns over fine and tries to fire, but never really comes close to starting. This happened suddenly, not over time. The flap pictured in the DISA spins freely. Rubber air intake is 100% intact and actually looks like it's been replaced previously. Car has 90,000 miles. Thanks in advance.

the flap should never spin freely!
as for getting the DISA out, you need to pull the cabin air filter housing off and pry and twist and maneuver that rubber/plastic splash guard out (it is a PITA) then the DISA pulls right out. I had those same codes and the issue ended up being both a hole in my air boot AND a failed CCV....I had 62k miles on it

So I replaced the DISA and the intake boot(both of which needed replaced) and I still am getting the codes... Any help? Winter is coming and I have noticed when it is really cold sometimes the car doesn't want to start as well.... Any winter tips or things to check up on?

pull your oil filler cap off while the car is running, it should NOT be hard to get off and you should not get alot of suction, if you get alot of suction and its hard to get off your CCV is probably shot

Oil filter cap? Do you mean the dipstick or the cap where the oil goes in on top of the motor? And what is the CCV??

yeah the actual fill cap. the CCV is the crank case vent system, it is a valve and a few hoses that attatch to the intake, it is located behind the throttle body and the IACV. there are some pretty good DIY guides on the E46 forums, but its a PITA to replace (although if you checked the DISA and replaced the intake boot you are over halfway there) are you having idle issues?

Ok cool. No my idle issue went away but I still get the codes...

did you try clearing the codes? might take a drive cycle or 2 for the codes to go out on their own

Yeah I've cleared them twice

When you installed the new rubber intake boot did you make sure to line up the rubber alignment tab? Maybe there is still an air leak?

Did you install a new rubber gasket at the DISA valve? I've heard the 2.5 engine needs a seperate rubber gasket while the 3.0 engine has an integrated rubber gasket...

I'm pretty sure I got it on right I put it on the same way the old one was...

my 2.5 DISA had the same integrated orange seal on the housing. But I would check and make sure your intake boot is on the TB and elbow all the way and sealed good. Did you clean your IACV when you had the boot off? there was another poster that was having weird problems and a IACV cleaning or replacement (forget which) solved his problems. I would do the plastic bag test on your oil filler too, put a freezer or similar bag over the filler hole while running and the bag should BARELY be sucked in, if the engine wants to totally suck the bag into the valve cover then you have a failed CCV.