Swirl flaps..?

[SP33DYV]

Andy1GP has done this to his 330d, and I am sure he would be willing to give advise.

 

[///Moose]

I have the 22mm ones.

A bit skeptical about the plastic ones :fencelook:

Ok cool, if I have the 33mm then I'll a spare set for you.
I was sceptical bout the plastic ones as well but triple checked this and it's made from the same material of the engine cover so was reassured that it will outlast the engine, no risk of melting under heat or damaging anything.

 

[ChefDJ]

I have the 22mm ones.

A bit skeptical about the plastic ones :fencelook:

Ok cool, if I have the 33mm then I'll a spare set for you.
I was sceptical bout the plastic ones as well but triple checked this and it's made from the same material of the engine cover so was reassured that it will outlast the engine, no risk of melting under heat or damaging anything.

Yours has 22mm as well I'm afraid :rollsmile:

I'm going to order the plastic ones for now then :fencelook:

 

[Clownshoe]

My plan was just to remove the flap and the screws and re-install. This is a no cost option.

 

[ChefDJ]

My plan was just to remove the flap and the screws and re-install. This is a no cost option.

How will this affect the vehicle performance? As far as I understand, you need to fit the blanking plates after removing...

I haven't read any DIY where they left them open :fencelook:

---

Around R400 for an aluminium/alloy set from eBay :thumbs:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-swirl-f...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c31dd0ee8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22mm-BMW-Sw...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd3f04bae

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-SWIRL-F...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20cb466adb

 

[ChefDJ]

Have ordered a set of aluminium blanks from eBay for R450 and shipping was free :rollsmile: Should be here within 32 days :rollsmile:

 

[Clownshoe]

I retract my previous advice. Seems that the flap may actually secures the spindle. So the with it removed the spindle is loose... according to another forum.
Another alternative:
by removing the spindle and using a 10mm screw to close hole.

 

[ChefDJ]

But what would the difference be, leaving it open or closing it?

 

[Flash-Gordon]

Effects of faulty swirlflap operation:

Swirl flaps stuck in open position: Deterioration in exhaust gas characteristics in lower speed ranges otherwise no effect.

Swirl flaps stuck in closed position: Power loss of approx 10 % at higher engine speeds

Swirl flaps operational function basics

Closed at low engine speeds and low injection volumes (map-controlled)
The swirl flaps generally open when:
• the coolant temperature < 14 °C OR
• the amount of fuel > 24 mg OR
• engine speed > 2250 rpm OR
• the intake temperature < -5 °C.

The solution remove the swirlflaps and fit blanking plates, performance change is minimal and probably no difference will be noticed and the car will still pass a MOT and drive as normal.

 

[ChefDJ]

10% power loss????????

 

[Flash-Gordon]

Swirl flaps can be removed safely and in most cases when removed properly there is no noticeable loss of performance, but if some performance change is noticed this can be overcome with a tailored remap to compensate for any noticed performance issues and is advisable to have the flaps removed anyway before proceeding or planning a remap of the car as the increased boost pressure will fatigue the swirl flaps even faster.

:fencelook:

 

[zubzparker10]

Have ordered a set of aluminium blanks from eBay for R450 and shipping was free :rollsmile: Should be here within 32 days :rollsmile:

please provide your link .

 

[ChefDJ]

Have ordered a set of aluminium blanks from eBay for R450 and shipping was free :rollsmile: Should be here within 32 days :rollsmile:

please provide your link .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121095655144?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[ChefDJ]

:fencelook:

 

[Clownshoe]

But what would the difference be, leaving it open or closing it?

Are you referring to my link that uses a screw to close the hole? If you are: Leaving the hole open would mean you have 6x 10mm holes in your inlet manifold. And all the turbo pressure would escape.

---

Effects of faulty swirlflap operation:

Swirl flaps stuck in open position: Deterioration in exhaust gas characteristics in lower speed ranges otherwise no effect.

Swirl flaps stuck in closed position: Power loss of approx 10 % at higher engine speeds

Swirl flaps operational function basics

Closed at low engine speeds and low injection volumes (map-controlled)
The swirl flaps generally open when:
• the coolant temperature < 14 °C OR
• the amount of fuel > 24 mg OR
• engine speed > 2250 rpm OR
• the intake temperature < -5 °C.

The solution remove the swirlflaps and fit blanking plates, performance change is minimal and probably no difference will be noticed and the car will still pass a MOT and drive as normal.

So by removing the flaps you are simulating the effect of flaps open all the time the effect is:

Swirl flaps stuck in open position: Deterioration in exhaust gas characteristics in lower speed ranges otherwise no effect.

 

[ChefDJ]

Thanks Clownshoe. Just wanted to clarify.

I've ordered the aluminium plugs, so will do the "operation" properly :thumbs:

 

[tyronzn]

I could be mistaken but according to this pdf document only these engines were affected which rules out E90's,although reading some forums i read conflicting answers saying E90's have also suffered swirl flap failure?

http://www.pmwltd.co.uk/swirl_flaps.pdf

 

[ChefDJ]

Not too sure about the E90 engines, although I believe only post 2009 engines were rid of the swirl flaps

 

[tyronzn]

Not too sure about the E90 engines, although I believe only post 2009 engines were rid of the swirl flaps

strange thing is i cant seem to find the swirl flaps on my 2006 e90 when using real oem though

 

[ChefDJ]

I really have no idea.

I had a program installed which would tell me, but haven't re-installed it since loading Windows 8 on my PC. Will try later