DISA Valve: what is this ?

[dnaiel]

Doing some general maintenance and got to the DISA valve and it was a bitch and a half to get off. Finally got it off and there seems to be some improvised gasket gunk all around the seal? I don?t know what I?m looking at. Wasn?t giving me any problems on that front so should I just throw it back on and run it?

[Oli77]

Is there tension on it? can you move the flap easily? I think that if the flap is easily turning, its toast.
It changes airflow distribution across the intake to improve performance. I am not sure what I am saying is correct. Someone correct me please.
The DISA is also known to break (the pin breaks) and it implodes into the intake and that is a very bad thing.
Hope the info I am giving you helpful. Should be plenty of youtube videos to check the function of it and what the symptoms of a bad DISA.

[Galapolis]

If it hasn't been replaced, replace it. I removed mine to inspect it, it looked almost like new and worked perfectly, so I put it back in. A year later, the flap broke off...

[Aeternalis]

i'd definitely replace that. at the very least, the sealing gasket (orange) near the base looks flat. it's probably why (someone) resealed(?) it using the liquid gasket. [loud incorrect buzzer]

[GeorgeH]

If I understand correctly your question is about the glue at the base where the DISA seals to the plenum?

In my experience the original o-rings always leak when reinstalled. BMW doesn't sell a replacement o-ring so the only fix is to replace the DISA as an assembly. What I do is smear a little bit of Hylomar Blue onto the o-ring surface and it seals up nicely and is still able to be easily serviced if needed. I'm assuming that is what they were doing with that heavy handed amount of sealant.

*Also GAS does make a replacement o-ring.