Originally Posted by Anzafin' post='856331' date='Apr 23 2009, 10:22 AM

I would disconnect the battery just to make sure that I don't get any error codes or messages if some plugs are disconnected and connected during the job. Some people say that they didn't disconnect it and never had any problems, but I can't see any benefits to leave it connected. Like I said, just to be sure.

If the EGR is heavily sooted, I think it the engine doesn't get all the air that it should. When clean, the engine runs better. I cleaned mine by scraping the valve with a knife and used some solvent spray to get rid of the last residues of soot.

To clean the intake manifold itself I guess you have to let it soak in some solvent over the night. Some people have used petroleum.

Originally Posted by pauld30' post='856497' date='Apr 23 2009, 07:56 PM

Thanks for the swift reply.
looking at it again i might be able to do the job but leaving the plug connected just separate the unit appears to come in half with only 3 bolts. do you think it needs claening regularly every 10,000 miles or so ?
regards Paul

Originally Posted by Anzafin' post='856689' date='Apr 23 2009, 03:10 PM

Just disconnect the battery and everything would be much easier! Just unplug the minus cable and isolate it. All working would be much safer too.
I don't think cleaning the EGR after every 10000 miles would be necessary.

Originally Posted by pauld30' post='864293' date='Apr 30 2009, 10:05 PM

o.k thanks will take your advice and cleanout my egr soon.
by the way what side of the boot is the battery.
cheers paul.

Originally Posted by Anzafin' post='864296' date='Apr 30 2009, 03:06 PM

It's on a right side.

Originally Posted by pauld30' post='865426' date='May 1 2009, 09:59 PM

Thankyou. i read your thread about swirl flaps, with interest concerning the particulate filter in the exaust. could this be damage with out swirl flaps or prematurely end its life ? these are dear 2000 ponds in the u'k .
cheers Paul

Originally Posted by Anzafin' post='865562' date='May 1 2009, 05:29 PM

I pondered this also . I talked to a BMW mechanic a while ago and he said it shouldn't affect so much that it would dramatically shorten the lifetime of the particle filter. And now after few thousands of kilometers after the flap removal I haven't noticed any increase in filter self cleaning cycle. Neither have the kilometers in idrive service menu dropped.

Originally Posted by pauld30' post='866165' date='May 2 2009, 10:19 PM

Thats interesting. how do you know when the p/f is cleaning itself. and i was thinking maybe the idrive thingy just goes on mileage./ time. any thoughts.
thanks paul of england.

Originally Posted by Anzafin' post='866178' date='May 2 2009, 02:44 PM

You're maybe right about the idrive.
You can hear it when the cleaning process is going on. The exhaust gives a loud humming sound when pushing the throttle. And if you step out of car you can absolutely smell it .

Originally Posted by pauld30' post='867049' date='May 4 2009, 01:14 AM

just cleaned out my egr seemed quite dirty after 39 000 miles looks like new now. have to see if makes any difference tomorrow. how do you add photos to this site. cheers paul.