Swirl flaps

[pvr]

Was reading the the BMW Car magazine this month about the famous Swirl Flap failure and the associated catastrophic engine failure. One thing that was not clear, was what is defined as "high mileage" though, as BMW was doing goodwill repairs as long as the car is not high mileage.

Is the swirl flap removal a DIY job? Will have a look on the web, but in case someone had done it themselves I would like to know (and where to get the replacement parts from).

[535dboy]

Do a search on BMWLand - loads of people have done it on there, many DIY too

Don't ask me though as I don't even know where the bonnet release is

[X5Sport]

I'd seen that article too and wondered at what point this may need doing on our 2005 E53 and E46 as they both have the same engine (M57) and approx 45k miles on them. I wasn't sure if this issue is still an issue, and if so, how common. I'll go look at the recommended site.....

There seems to be some confusion as to exactly which vehicles are fitted with these damn things. I've seen comments that the X5 doesn't have them, and others that 'suggest' they do. Most of the sufferers appear to be 530d and 4-cyl engine owners. My engineers instinct says to get rid of thrm, but I'm not tearing things apart just to see if I do or don't have them. Our E46 330Cd is a July 05 build, so may have a later version, but then again it may not. Realoem makes no mention either, which is not helpful, unlrss it's a complete manifold job rather than just the 6 units?

[BL02WAS]

its not an intrusive operation to see if your x has them fitted, remove the cam cover housing etc, and all plastic shrouds, and you will see straight away if you have them, there will be lots of mechanical arma all operating off a connecting rod!! all externally fitted. my x has had them removed by previous owner!! however i would advise checking and definitely removing!! my local indy says he sees atleast 1 a month fir swirl flaps!! and just removes the flap completely!!! says engine runs perfect without them!!!


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[AW8]

Fwiw & with interests of diesel owners solely in mind I prior started a thread on the old site re this same topic. Reason being I was somewhat suprised nobody had prior expressed concerns re same depite me reading conflicting info re the prescence of same.

Iirc the thread yielded little interest & significantly less discussion ensued than re many other topics such as those focusing on mods.

On behalf of members I prior spoke to the proprietor of PMW, (the indy taking the lead in selling blanking plates &/or performing the work). He told me that a physical check is required to look for the prescence of the flaps as it is unclear which cars have same. Afaik to date there has not been any definitive info of build date VIN or other info to enable folk to be able to know re prescence or otherwise in abscence of a physical check.

If I had a diesel I would check this or cause it to be checked & act asap as an urgent priority.........No good having great toys if the turbo goes bang.

I used to take BMW car mag but it isnt easily available locally anymore & I dont have a current subscription...........Perhaps someone with the article to hand can post some more specific info re the stance from BMW as I cant see any discussion on BMW car or land forums re BMW positively responding,(despite lots of prior flap discussion on the later of the 2 sites)

[x555]

I was one that did read and reply to that said thread and also confirmed that mine did not have swirl flaps
I have read numerous threads on this issue and i'm still not 100% sure on which models etc...some say that x5's have never had swirl flaps....and i haven't ever read a thread/post that has had anyone saying that there x has been affected by this.
You can check as blowers said by removing the engine cover and looking for the two rods that run either side just above the manifold that operate the flaps.

here's some more info as we lost the last lot with the old forum

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=58436

http://www.pmwltd.co.uk/swirl_flaps.pdf

[x555]

[quote=""AW8""] Iirc the thread yielded little interest & significantly less discussion ensued than re many other topics such as those focusing on mods. [/quote]

Ironicly wouldn't it be a great 'mod' to the x to remove the swirl flaps and blank them off if only you had a derv AW8 ...you could then join the modding gang

[X5Sport]

Thanks for these.

I've now had a further look at RealOEM and specifically at the E60 and E46 with the same engines. The intake manifols specifically mentions 'EU3 or EU4 emissions with flap control' . The X5 E53 has nor mention of such an animal and selecting the same diagram as for the E60 or E46 results in 'There are no parts fitted to your car'.

I'm going to take that as - no swirl flaps!!

EDIT Forgot to add that our E46 330Cd does have these beasties, so discussions will be taking place to remove them.

[pvr]

I wonder what BMW's position would be if you took the car to the dealer to ask them to make a statement with regards to this. I.e. if your car has the flaps and you request them to be removed, I am pretty sure the dealer would state "No" as that would imply that there is a fault.

After having requested this, and if then the flaps disintegrate, would you have a good case for a FOC fix as the dealer / BMW have refused to prevent the failure from happening?

I know the answer of course as they will state it is just another component in a complicated engine and all components can fail.

[AW8]

Junkie - Yes I do seem to recall you were one of the few who looked into this , (using your old username). LOL re me joining the mod gang ; I am pretty conservative in that department. This is to some extent through choice in keeping things original & also that financial priorities make it easier for me to justify expenditure for maintenance items.

Pvr - As for f.o.c. repairs by BMW : A significant number of owners on the land have reported swirl flap & associated failures on E46 320d facelifts & simply had to pick up the repair bill themselves. The problem & historic BMW stance pretty well documented on the land & in the letters pages of the aforemetioned mag.
.........Any chance you can expand on the mag content on the subject ?

[pvr]

Mag was purely an article from a member detailing the failure, cost etc. Luckily for him, even though it happened abroad, managed to limp home.

Story said that BMW was not interested as it was a high miler (no indication what mileage was though) and that repair cost by BMW would be 10K or so. End result was that the engine swap was done by third party for a third of the cost.

[AW8]

Hmm seemingly No change in the stance from BMW then.

A chap at work was a facelift 320d & was singing its praises. I agreed that he had a fine car but advised him to get it deflapped asap. I even provided him with PMW details & links to chat on the land. He thanked me for the info & promptly did nothing. A few months later he just paid a bill for thousands. Needless to say he is not the first non enthusiast car owner who has failed to take my advice...............he has since indicated he should have given more consideration to my comments. From what he said I also believe his wife shares this view.

[pvr]

Not getting a single hit on X5 and Swirl Flaps anywhere. Strange?

[Darnicmax]

Been reading up on this today. Haven't yet found a definitive answer on the X5 3.0d engine.

RealOEM site implies it does not have swirl flaps.....however, a quick call to my main BMW dealer...and they say it has.

Only one way to find out...and that is to whip the manifold cover off this coming weekend and see if the actuating rods are on show....

Any 'top tips' from someone who has already checked theirs would be greatly appreciated!

[x555]

[quote=""Darnicmax""]Been reading up on this today. Haven't yet found a definitive answer on the X5 3.0d engine.

RealOEM site implies it does not have swirl flaps.....however, a quick call to my main BMW dealer...and they say it has.

Only one way to find out...and that is to whip the manifold cover off this coming weekend and see if the actuating rods are on show....

Any 'top tips' from someone who has already checked theirs would be greatly appreciated! [/quote]

Tip....don't drop the allen key bolts from the engine cover in the engine bay