[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by makkan00

That make sense now. I though rivit was the axis around which the flap spins but after your explanation, it all make sense.

Looking forward to see the photos of clean part.

B/w does any body know which size blanking plates fit in 330d/335d?
33mm or 22mm?
And has anybody cleaned manifold and if yes, what have you used to get the gunk / soot out?

you want six of the larger ones, re the flap it's in the parts washer get it cleaned/photographed Monday all being well

[tmarshall57]

I haven't personally cleaned the manifold - it will be a really messy job - but, given that it will be coated in partially burned diesel and carbon deposits, a good oven cleaner should do the job.

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by tmarshall57

I haven't personally cleaned the manifold - it will be a really messy job - but, given that it will be coated in partially burned diesel and carbon deposits, a good oven cleaner should do the job.

We give them a clean but it's messy and your right it's coated in crap, stinks and is a nightmare to get off your fingers.

But a good if your regularly getting dirty is to try to obtain of all things BMW hand cleaner tubs which the workshops use it's superb and knocks spots off swaffega. It's like a paste and is great. BMW Parts Dept can order it

[old grey steve]

One cleaned(as best as I could swirl flap)



This picture is a bit blury but you get the picture the shafts clearly visible. When looked at from the other side where I've circled looks like the bottom of the flap has causght the housing slightly as ther's a grove just about visible as I've tried to circle below



Again below you can see one of the "rivits"as I call them visible



Look carfully the head on the other side appears to be erroded, its difficult to see in this blury photo its still there but not as visible as the one circled. Another view from another angle to back this up.



Hopefully this one below helps a bit



Like the standard old school flaps oil etc. has started to errode the make up of this flap, though more durable than the earlier ones produced it shows that over time these ones though far better constructed aren't immune from suffering the deluge of oil and other things that are thrown at the inlet manifold.

Now that this flap was clean touching it the mocvement side to side wasn't that smooth plus there was a small amount of upward/downward movement when you "wiggle"the flap. The photo below shows the medal pin thats slightly exposed



and when "wiggled" you can cover/expose this pin which as you can see is clean metal.

Maybe there designed to have a small amount of play the others were no different on this car TBH this flap though was the better one to show and cleaned up the best hence it was used to photograph.

For the sake of 4 or 6 blanks wouldn't you say its not worth the risk

[Phil325i]

Boy am I glad my engine doesn't have these! Seeing the cr*p coated all over the flaps, is another very good reason to fit an oil catch can...

[mistryn]

Thought I would update this thread -

I had my inlet manifold removed, cleaned by my garage - he inspected the swirl flaps and said they were relativly clean, moving freely and no play. However I did have the whole inlet manifold and swirl flaps replaced at 100k. He did recceomend to fit blanking plaes but I have decided to keep them in for now.

the Orange gasket seals were replaced as cylinder inlet 3,4 and 5 were weeping oil around the seals. car feels transformed now so much low end grunt, I believe i was loosing boost pressure with the failing seals (I dont think they have ever been replaced)

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by mistryn

Thought I would update this thread -

I had my inlet manifold removed, cleaned by my garage - he inspected the swirl flaps and said they were relativly clean, moving freely and no play. However I did have the whole inlet manifold and swirl flaps replaced at 100k. He did recceomend to fit blanking plaes but I have decided to keep them in for now.

the Orange gasket seals were replaced as cylinder inlet 3,4 and 5 were weeping oil around the seals. car feels transformed now so much low end grunt, I believe i was loosing boost pressure with the failing seals (I dont think they have ever been replaced)

Glad you got it sorted. Good move re the seals we inspect and advise accordingly wise choice to replace when there on the condition described.

[mistryn]

I will probably check the flaps again in 20k miles to see the condition and fit blanking plates then

[dy63]

whats best to buy plastic blanking plates or aluminium?