I know you don't and I've read your DIY it's great . I know it's expensive but...it's my bimmer ... I'm not saving on it . As you said never any problems but....you never know.

 

I totally understand. I was also considering the new manifold back then but ended up to remove the swirl flaps.
Good luck with the new flaps !



Haha! Just kidding man !

- Antti -

 

Can you or someone here explain why this swirl flaps are there? I strongly belive that BMW engineers know what they doing and that there is a reason for this flaps .Thanks

 

They are there to reduce emissions when the engine runs lower than 2000rpm. This has been done to reach the EU4 emission regulations. However, these emissions here don't show up in an annual vehicle inspections (MOT tests). In MOTs they measure only the smoking rates in diesel cars, not particle emissions. You can only imagine how would the diesel cars without a particle filter manage these tests if they measured the particle rates!

The swirl flap system works so that the flaps are closed until the engine reaches 2000rpm --> the air flows into combustion chamber only via one duct per cylinder and makes a "special" swirl to burn the diesel more purely --> less particles.

When the engine runs over 2000rpm the swirl flaps will open and let more air to the combustion chamber.
So, in a car that has had its swirl flaps removed, this is the case all the time.

- Antti -

 

I recently had my car MOT'd in the UK and i can confirm that the removal of the flaps made no difference, my car has blanking plates instead of flaps and it passed no problem. I am enjoying driving my car without the thought of having to shell out for a new engine due to flap failure . I guess i just need to worry about the million other things that can go wrong with a diesel .

I just bought new wheels for it so i guess i better keep the car abit longer, or at least till a nice M3 or Z4 catches my eye at the right price .

 

So keeping this flaps means, I'm green and saving planet. COOL . I always knew saving enviroment means spending money .

 

Czesc Dawidoku, pozdrawiam ze Szwecji

I'm originally from the same country as dawidoku for those who wondering what the fuzz above is about.

I had my mechanic check the diy guide and he said that it was absolutely not a problem. So I will have them removed as soon as we will have the time. I have reached the decision that i will keep the car.

 

Czesc Martin.T, pozdrawiam z Polski!

Good decision, the car is fantastic, especially engine (nevermind those flaps).

 

Just joined the forum now. Cannot believe what im reading. I never heard of a swirl flap till two weeks ago and the only reason I found out about them was because car was sick. Heres my story

Have just started reading about swirl flap failures.
Just had mine go while entering a roundabout. Car had no power to pull away. Had two young kids in the back of car and luckily the on comming car was able to stop. Had independent garage check out car and they had immediate suspicions which were confirmed after removing manifold. Two flaps gone and exhaust gasses burnt hole through inlet manifold as inlet valves damaged. not sure about turbo damage either. Was on to BMW Ireland and I have to pay a dealer ?1500 to have damaged assessed and BMW say they probably wont cover any costs. Just wondered about anyones dealer experience. Have approached the media here to have it broadcast as I do believe theses engines are accidents waiting to happen. Trying to find anyone who has received goodwill from BMW to try prove they knew about the problem. They are still denying it is a problem. That is why I am pushing the safety issue. Two miles later and I would have been entering the motorway. If you could help it would be very much appreciated. Will probably end up scrapping car which is full leather etc and pristine.
Thank you in advance.
This car was a credit to BMW up to two weeks ago. Never used a drop of oil, no bad smoke from exhaust gave 45mpg on motorway and was totally original. Battery is still original one and has never been touched. Not bad for a 2001 with 151000 miles on the clock.
Have posted a video of flap failure results on you tube just to let people see first hand what a failure can cause. Just google beemer530dee or search for same on you tube.

 

So sorry to hear about the damage.

Unfortunately I haven't heard about BMW helping with costs in any case. If you're ought to rebuild your engine, don't run it anymore. I'm sure some individual workshop would rebuild it cheaper than a BMW dealer, so try find someone. You can also buy a "new" used engine from Germany. Here's an example: http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E46-330d-E39-530d-E38-730d-X5-3-0d-Motor-M57-/150629173736?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item231232c9e8
- Antti -