Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227

    Terrible loss of power 4000 rpm and beyond

    Hey guys. Had to ask this after today. I can't take it anymore.

    When I downshift and punch it to pass someone or merge on a highway, the car pulls great until exactly 4000 rpm, where it literally feels like the car falls flat and someone is pulling against it from behind. It maybe gets mildly better higher in rpms, but the car just has nothing after 4000 rpm, that I actually shift earlier to drive it below that. The pull down below is much better.

    This flat spot is way worse than the 2800-3000 rpm sputtering that I also have, and improved greatly since getting the car.

    So I've read about the DISA causing this and various other things. I've seen BMW service bulletins to address this that says to replace the DISA and reflash the DME to reset the knock adaptations.

    Link 1: https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showth.../285819?page=2

    Link 2: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...highlight=4000

    Link 3 (fixed with new DISA only): http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...highlight=4000

    My question is what should I do? Replace DISA and flash DME? Can that be done not at a dealer? It sounds like if the full flash doesn't happen, then the knock adaptations don't get reset.
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 111k
    '98 740il | Schwartz 2 | Sandbeige | 5AT | 238k | lowered on Bilsteins w/ B&G springs
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 120k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 215k | one owner, all original

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3,130
    Definitely sounds like a malfunctioning DISA. I'd swap that with a used one and see what happens.

  3. #3
    You can buy a DISA valve repair kit. They’re relatively cheap, and replace the parts that tend to fail on the DISA with better ones.

    This assumes the core of your DISA is ok. Check amazon or ebay to find one.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227
    Just watched a youtube video on how to test it -- apply a vacuum and then 12v to the plug. So I should probably pull the DISA and test it. I already bought o-rings to replace the original. It surely isn't leaking through that o-ring, because I smoke tested the car, but if the unit is leaking vacuum, that would be a problem. If it tests good, then I can do the rebuild.

    How can I tell if the problem is just a bad DISA or the DISA-knock sensor problem that the service bulletins address? I guess just replacing/rebuilding it? (I do need to flash my DME for the 2800 rpm stumble at some point anyway.)
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 111k
    '98 740il | Schwartz 2 | Sandbeige | 5AT | 238k | lowered on Bilsteins w/ B&G springs
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 120k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 215k | one owner, all original

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    588
    The only issue my ZHP has had (in my possession) is a rattling DISA. I rebuilt with GAS which resolved the issue. If the DISA falls apart, it can cause catastrophic failure of the engine.
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP (52k miles), Jet Black with black leather, MFactory LSD (3.38) with Z4 cover, 18"x8.5" ET38 APEX Arc-8's (Anthracite) with 245/40 Michelin PSS', Koni Sports with factory springs and front and rear reinforcement plates, Shark Injector, Corsa TSE3 cat-back exhaust, TMS under-driven pulleys (water & steering), CDV delete, TMS CF strut brace, K&N CAI, GAS DISA rebuild, TMS pedals, Wheelskins steering wheel cover, roller tray center console, black-out grilles, and WeatherTech mats

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227
    So I pulled the DISA today to check it and make sure my engine wasn't going to ingest a metal pin. It is actually in great shape and is the updated DISA part number, which was another reason I wanted to pull it. Was relatively clean compared to some others I've seen. Pin was in good and tight. I could not pull it out. Flap is perfect with no chips. Vacuum holds the flap closed. Maybe it was replaced at some point. So for the short term here, I can drive with some peace of mind. I will order the GAS kit and plan to do that. It is clearly heavier-duty and won't fall apart.

    I don't know how the old o-ring wasn't leaking (smoke test showed no leak), but it was smooshed flat. I replaced with a new o-ring, based off some measurements I found online. I bought a 25 pack of silicone o-rings from Amazon for like $8: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    I had to stretch the o-ring around to get it on (wasn't too hard), but once it was on, it fit in the groove great and had just enough o-ring sticking up out of the groove to require some silicone grease on it to get it in. With a little work, I was able to push it on with my hands, instead of needing to crank it on with the screws. So I would recommend them.

    Now what I'm working on is flashing the DME with Balidawg over on E46fanatics. That should hopefully fix my 2800 rpm stumble and this 4000 rpm dip.

    The 4000 rpm thing is clearly related to the knock sensors and DISA valve opening, since that is specifically what the BMW service bulletin talks about:
    -- Service Measure B12 209 05 dated 4/6/2005 -- states there is an improved DISA part #11 61 7 544 805 and that a "deep flash" clears the long-term knock adaptations. Link: https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpo...9&postcount=12

    -- Then, service measure B12 209 05 was superseded by Service Information Bulletin SIB 12 17 05
    This one states not to replace any parts, but rather send the DME in for "MS45.1 DME KNOCK ADAPTATION RESET"
    Link: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...913#post536913

    So that should hopefully take care of it, but I can't help wondering if this will become an issue again, as the car continues to sense the DISA opening. Has the software coding been reworked to tell it to ignore "knocks" when it is activating the DISA? That's the only thing I can think of other that BMW expecting people to keep sending their DMEs in for this adaptation reset.
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 111k
    '98 740il | Schwartz 2 | Sandbeige | 5AT | 238k | lowered on Bilsteins w/ B&G springs
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 120k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 215k | one owner, all original

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    588
    Have you ever considered a Shark tune?
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP (52k miles), Jet Black with black leather, MFactory LSD (3.38) with Z4 cover, 18"x8.5" ET38 APEX Arc-8's (Anthracite) with 245/40 Michelin PSS', Koni Sports with factory springs and front and rear reinforcement plates, Shark Injector, Corsa TSE3 cat-back exhaust, TMS under-driven pulleys (water & steering), CDV delete, TMS CF strut brace, K&N CAI, GAS DISA rebuild, TMS pedals, Wheelskins steering wheel cover, roller tray center console, black-out grilles, and WeatherTech mats

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227
    Have a read about the shark tune.

    But I'll tell you what. I flashed the DME with Balidawg's help to the most recent BMW software and man this thing drives freaking great!!! It pulls hard and all hiccups and issues are GONE. I wish I did this day one, but wow it is a joy to drive now. It rips right up to 6000 no issue. Car feels like it gained 20-30 hp now that it doesn't have those studders and stupid dip at 4k.

    Highly recommend to everyone to flash your DME. Mine was 6 versions older than the newest software, so if yours is older than that I can only imagine the improvement.
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 111k
    '98 740il | Schwartz 2 | Sandbeige | 5AT | 238k | lowered on Bilsteins w/ B&G springs
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 120k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 215k | one owner, all original

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    18,064
    Nice!

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
    Randeaux/Rando/John/jr - '06 Cic ZHP; Southern California
    "ZHP or not, I still like you"


    ZHP Performance Package, Cold Weather Package, Leather, Jet Black/Black/BlackCube, NAV, Anthracite Black "my individual" interior trim
    ESS Stage 1 Twin Screw Supercharger, Sprint Booster, BMW Perf Intake, Magnaflow Exhaust, Dinan TB & STEP S/W, UCC Sway Bars, Apex EC-7 18x8.5 ET38
    Suspension: AST 44100 dampers, Bimmerworld front adjustable end links, Swift springs (8K front, 10K rear), Vorshlag camber plates
    Dynavin D99+, Hardwire V1 (w/V1 Connection), BSW Stage 1 Speakers, Kicker Amp/Subwoofer
    BMW Performance Strut Brace, Orion V2 Angel Eyes, No-holes License Plate, SMG Paddle Shift Mod, Besian VANOS, Gold DISA, Fan Delete, M3 Side Mirrors
    Note: Actual car no longer resembles signature picture

  10. #10
    I wish cars didn’t require software updates

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