Waih98

Hi

I'm new to the forum and also worried about Swirl Flaps. I'm not too technically minded and wondered if there are any garages in the London area that will remove these flaps for me (obviously for a fee) Any recommendations? Thanks.

BMW E60 Orient Blue 530D SE 04 Plate with 101K Miles!!! Comfort Seats Heated & Ventilated.

AlwynMike

There is an Indy called PMW that are selling blanking caps for the swirl flaps - about ?90 (plus fitting) I think.
Have a look at www.bmwland.co.uk where there is an extensive thread on the flaps and these blanking caps.
You could buy the caps and get your local Indy to fit them. At London prices, it may be more cost effective to fit the caps, rather than pay the hourly rate for a Tech to cut off the flaps and then blank the holes.

Mike

Dr Dave

any garage would do this as its so easy, it took me (a layman) 2 hours.
follow anafins excellent "how to thread"

Phantom Mark

Whats the purpose in short of the blanking caps, dont wanna search pages of posts to find that out

TIA

Dr Dave

all blanking caps can be are "fancy self tapping screws" of sorts, because once the flaps are removed you just need to seal off the 4mm hole left by the flap rod.
it seams like a HUGE rip off to me. ?90..?? for what?
i paid ?3.60 for the screws/bolts and epoxy resin/araldite.
its only inlet....
i think they are riding a wave of paranoia here by owners who proberly will pay this because they know its peice of mind...do it yourself guys, or get the garage to fit screws..they still have to dremmel the flaps off whatever you blank the 4mm holes with? so its no more in time. (so a "tech" still has to cut the flaps no matter what) no time and/or money saved here.

Anzafin

+1 Well said.

MiamiPhill

Allow me.! http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=70452

Dr Dave

thanks phill.

AlwynMike

My suggestion about using the blanking caps as being more cost effective was based on the supposition that the caps were a direct replacement for the swirl flap unit itself. I've never seen the blanks in question myself, so I wouldn't know. To get a "Tech" to remove each unit, saw off the flaps, tap the shaft hole, screw in a bolt/screw as well as apply a sealant of some sort will take a reasonable amount of time - particularly if the "Tech" hasn't done it before. Factor in the cost of labour against the ?90 cost of the blanks, which again, I am assuming that you just remove the 2 screws holding the swirl flap unit and replace it with the blank. No messing with grinders, saws, taps etc. Also, there is no need to leave the sealant to cure before starting the engine.
Remember, the majority of us that have done the removal job have done it for the love of our cars, not for the cost involved. Has anyone on the forum actually had the removal carried out by a Professional??? What was the total cost, either with or without blanks??? The cost for me doing mine was just pennies as I had everything I needed already in my garage. The OP clearly knows his mechanical limits and wasn't prepared to do the job himself - fair enough. I'm not advocating the ?90 blanks as cheap - far from it - but in the OP's situation it may be the better option financially. Plus, a straight replacement job blank for flap unit requires less skill to do than our DIY methods. This may provide a less mechanically confident owner with more peace of mind as he's not concerned about the quality of the screws/tapping/sealant application.

If, as DrDave says, that the caps are just plugs for the 4 or 4.5mm hole, then yes, I would agree. Major Rip-Off.

Mike