swirl flaps removal

katie.g · 08-31-2011, 03:41 AM

hi

well i tried to remove the inlet manifold, but failed...nearly did it

got it all stripped down, just like doing the air filter replacement, all electrical connections off, dipstick, egr uncoupled, manifold bolts undone.

there are some vacuum pipes under the manifold, i just could not see them, and was worried that if i removed them blind, i'd never get em back on properly, plus they are a really tight fit and removing them would prob tear the rubber tubes.

"woman with spanners "

i used to have a boyfriend who was a great mechanic, with him peering over my shoulder and helping a little i could do so much mechanical stuff, now he's passed, the confidence is gone too.

miss him soo badly. R.I.P. " m"

kathy

AlwynMike · 08-31-2011, 04:57 AM

From memory, there is only one pipe that connects to the manifold from elsewhere - the rest can stay on - that pipe is the one that actuates the swirl flaps. some people remove the pipe and plug it (so it doesn't matter if you break it!) and others (like me) just remove the actuating lever.

I'm pretty sure that there is a "how-to" on one of the 5 series forums - try 5series.net - it will be the same job on a 5er.

Mike

Giff · 08-31-2011, 04:59 AM

Has there actually been any reported failures on the E9X?

katie.g · 08-31-2011, 08:32 AM

thanks mike, you led me to this very helpfull thread

http://forums.5series.net/topic/70452-removing-the-swirl-flaps-in-a-diesel-engine/

giff, according to pmw, where i bought the swirl flap covers from, yes plenty of E90'S had problems

regards katie.

lesfinnie · 08-31-2011, 04:38 PM

Can we get pics of you doing the job please Katie and I mean of the car, just before anyone with a warped mind comments lol

F31-340i · 08-31-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katie.g

thanks mike, you led me to this very helpfull thread

http://forums.5series.net/topic/70452-removing-the-swirl-flaps-in-a-diesel-engine/

giff, according to pmw, where i bought the swirl flap covers from, yes plenty of E90'S had problems

regards katie.

They do have a vested interest in saying that - pmw business dries up if e9x dont have the problem. I'm happy to see evidence that there is a problem, but still not seen any yet - here or on bmwland.

Giff · 08-31-2011, 10:46 PM

I did a lot of searching for problems prior to buying my 320d, the e9X seems to have plenty but I've yet to read about a single one with swirl flap failures.

Katie, I think you have quite a high mileage older car with the non-Garrett turbo, if you really want to get your hands dirty then regular oil changes and fuel and air filter replacement would make your time better spent.

Removing the clutch delay valve is also an excellent and simple job that makes the car much more fun to drive.

katie.g · 09-01-2011, 03:31 AM

ah, interesting comments Gif and ajd

maybe i've been worrying about something there is no need to worry about !!

gif, i do the oil regularly and also done the fuel filter the other week

whats the clutch delay valve...will look into it , mines an auto, and i love the way it drives

hoping to change it for a 330d before too long though.....am finding that there are not too many 330d touring auto's around at the right price/colour / mileage etc....bmw dealers just too expensive for me.

anyway looking forward to a long, long drive to the alps next week, to fullfill a desire to run and cycle up the col's.... i think the car is ready now.

thanks for your comments

kathy

AlwynMike · 09-01-2011, 03:36 AM

There may not have been any (many?) documented failures of swirl flaps on E9x cars, but there have been plenty of failures of both new and later type flaps on E6x cars. My car hasn't done a lot of miles, but was out of warranty, and for me it was a no-brainer to spend half a day ripping the car to pieces and removing the flaps, if only for my own peace of mind.

As was said, PMW have a vested interest in selling flap plugs - they were not really on the scene when I did mine, so I have the old school method of plug - a screw in the shaft hole (no pun intended).

When I eventually find an E91 that both me and my wallet like, when it comes out of BMW warranty, I will be dumping the flaps.
Why wait until it's out of warranty? Just in case something else goes and Mr. BMW can't blame the lack of flaps on the other failure!

08-31-2011, 03:41 AM	#1
katie.g woman with spanners 18 Rep 122 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: cheshire iTrader: (0)	swirl flaps removal hi well i tried to remove the inlet manifold, but failed...nearly did it got it all stripped down, just like doing the air filter replacement, all electrical connections off, dipstick, egr uncoupled, manifold bolts undone. there are some vacuum pipes under the manifold, i just could not see them, and was worried that if i removed them blind, i'd never get em back on properly, plus they are a really tight fit and removing them would prob tear the rubber tubes. "woman with spanners " i used to have a boyfriend who was a great mechanic, with him peering over my shoulder and helping a little i could do so much mechanical stuff, now he's passed, the confidence is gone too. miss him soo badly. R.I.P. " m" kathy
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08-31-2011, 04:57 AM	#2
AlwynMike Lieutenant Colonel 354 Rep 1,685 Posts Drives: F36 440i GC. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands iTrader: (1)	From memory, there is only one pipe that connects to the manifold from elsewhere - the rest can stay on - that pipe is the one that actuates the swirl flaps. some people remove the pipe and plug it (so it doesn't matter if you break it!) and others (like me) just remove the actuating lever. I'm pretty sure that there is a "how-to" on one of the 5 series forums - try 5series.net - it will be the same job on a 5er. Mike
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08-31-2011, 04:59 AM	#3
Giff Lieutenant 7 Rep 499 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wirral iTrader: (2)	Has there actually been any reported failures on the E9X?
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08-31-2011, 08:32 AM	#4
katie.g woman with spanners 18 Rep 122 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: cheshire iTrader: (0)	thanks mike, you led me to this very helpfull thread http://forums.5series.net/topic/70452-removing-the-swirl-flaps-in-a-diesel-engine/ giff, according to pmw, where i bought the swirl flap covers from, yes plenty of E90'S had problems regards katie.
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08-31-2011, 04:38 PM	#5
lesfinnie Panzer 19 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 335d SE Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335d se [0.00]	Can we get pics of you doing the job please Katie and I mean of the car, just before anyone with a warped mind comments lol
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08-31-2011, 10:46 PM	#7
Giff Lieutenant 7 Rep 499 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wirral iTrader: (2)	I did a lot of searching for problems prior to buying my 320d, the e9X seems to have plenty but I've yet to read about a single one with swirl flap failures. Katie, I think you have quite a high mileage older car with the non-Garrett turbo, if you really want to get your hands dirty then regular oil changes and fuel and air filter replacement would make your time better spent. Removing the clutch delay valve is also an excellent and simple job that makes the car much more fun to drive.
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09-01-2011, 03:31 AM	#8
katie.g woman with spanners 18 Rep 122 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: cheshire iTrader: (0)	ah, interesting comments Gif and ajd maybe i've been worrying about something there is no need to worry about !! gif, i do the oil regularly and also done the fuel filter the other week whats the clutch delay valve...will look into it , mines an auto, and i love the way it drives hoping to change it for a 330d before too long though.....am finding that there are not too many 330d touring auto's around at the right price/colour / mileage etc....bmw dealers just too expensive for me. anyway looking forward to a long, long drive to the alps next week, to fullfill a desire to run and cycle up the col's.... i think the car is ready now. thanks for your comments kathy
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09-01-2011, 03:36 AM	#9
AlwynMike Lieutenant Colonel 354 Rep 1,685 Posts Drives: F36 440i GC. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands iTrader: (1)	There may not have been any (many?) documented failures of swirl flaps on E9x cars, but there have been plenty of failures of both new and later type flaps on E6x cars. My car hasn't done a lot of miles, but was out of warranty, and for me it was a no-brainer to spend half a day ripping the car to pieces and removing the flaps, if only for my own peace of mind. As was said, PMW have a vested interest in selling flap plugs - they were not really on the scene when I did mine, so I have the old school method of plug - a screw in the shaft hole (no pun intended). When I eventually find an E91 that both me and my wallet like, when it comes out of BMW warranty, I will be dumping the flaps. Why wait until it's out of warranty? Just in case something else goes and Mr. BMW can't blame the lack of flaps on the other failure!
	Appreciate 0 Quote