Removing the swirl flaps in a diesel engine
02-10-2009, 12:34 PM
#31
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: london england
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cheers Phill . 
i have just driven about 100 miles and all is good.
no loss of power, sounds quiet, smooth as silk.
piece of mind.
that cyilinder 5 swirl flap would not have seen another 1,000 miles...so thank god.
i have just driven about 100 miles and all is good.
no loss of power, sounds quiet, smooth as silk.
piece of mind.
that cyilinder 5 swirl flap would not have seen another 1,000 miles...so thank god.
02-12-2009, 08:55 AM
#32
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: london england
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
picking up some parts today from my local main dealer, and low and behold on there ramps is a 2005 530d having an engine change, so i asked one of the tech's what the problem was and...he said it was swirl flap failure (poor bloke) how mad a coincidence is that?
sooo glad i did it.
sooo glad i did it.
02-12-2009, 10:05 AM
#33
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Kajaani, Finland
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: Bmw 530d 2004
Originally Posted by Dr Dave' post='791362' date='Feb 12 2009, 07:55 PM
picking up some parts today from my local main dealer, and low and behold on there ramps is a 2005 530d having an engine change, so i asked one of the tech's what the problem was and...he said it was swirl flap failure (poor bloke) how mad a coincidence is that?
sooo glad i did it.
sooo glad i did it.
.I hope at least all members here would notice this thread and act up somehow!
Possibly removing their swirl flaps...
02-12-2009, 12:48 PM
#34
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: london england
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i dont know if its just the "placebo" effect, but the car deffinatly feels smoother?
the idle on my 535 is much smoother also?
but....the fuel has dropped from 38-40 (mixed) to 35-37 could that be right?
the idle on my 535 is much smoother also?
but....the fuel has dropped from 38-40 (mixed) to 35-37 could that be right?
02-12-2009, 01:40 PM
#35
Members
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dr Dave' post='791362' date='Feb 12 2009, 05:55 PM
picking up some parts today from my local main dealer, and low and behold on there ramps is a 2005 530d having an engine change, so i asked one of the tech's what the problem was and...he said it was swirl flap failure (poor bloke) how mad a coincidence is that?
sooo glad i did it.
sooo glad i did it.
02-12-2009, 03:21 PM
#36
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Kajaani, Finland
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: Bmw 530d 2004
Originally Posted by eddie12' post='791580' date='Feb 13 2009, 12:40 AM
That's very interesting, because it probably had the modified 4.5 mm flaps. My 05 530D was built in July '04, registered in Jan. '05, and had the modified ones - it doesn't any more! Sooooo! Is this the start of the 4.5 flaps being swallowed too?
And David, I did a 500km trip and noticed no changes in consumption.
02-12-2009, 10:57 PM
#37
Members
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Kajaani, Finland
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 530iA, -04
Originally Posted by Dr Dave' post='791540' date='Feb 12 2009, 11:48 PM
i dont know if its just the "placebo" effect, but the car deffinatly feels smoother?
the idle on my 535 is much smoother also?
but....the fuel has dropped from 38-40 (mixed) to 35-37 could that be right?
the idle on my 535 is much smoother also?
but....the fuel has dropped from 38-40 (mixed) to 35-37 could that be right?
Can?t really tell about the economy, just got remapped!
02-13-2009, 12:43 AM
#39
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
.
Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
.
Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
I've been following this thread and thanks Anzafin for putting in all the effort to provide us with detailed info on the issue, as well as the DIY fix 
I don't have the confidence / experience to do the DIY myself, so would ask BMW or another garage. Any idea how much would this cost to have done?
I don't have the confidence / experience to do the DIY myself, so would ask BMW or another garage. Any idea how much would this cost to have done?
02-13-2009, 01:35 AM
#40
Members
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lincolnshire UK
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I removed my swirl flaps a couple of months ago and can definitely say there has been no detrimental side effects, both power delivery and fuel consumption have remained the same as before.
It is not good to hear that cars with the modified 4.5mm spindles are now appearing to also suffer with the problem, as it was widely thought that the problem had been solved from around the middle of 2004.
It is not good to hear that cars with the modified 4.5mm spindles are now appearing to also suffer with the problem, as it was widely thought that the problem had been solved from around the middle of 2004.