Swirl Flaps Removed

[Jontyp]

Well, I bought the blanking plates from PWM along with new rubber gaskets for the ports. Superb service by the way. For those that haven't done it, it is a really doable DIY job. My only problem came when I got the manifold onto the bench and noticed that a small part had gone missing. It was a small rubber bung whose purpose is to retain the clamping sleeve that mounts over the lower port studs. Its item 7 in the picture below (assuming I've attached it successfully)

I went back to the car and hunted all over the engine bay with no luck. My obvious fear was that it had dropped off and fallen into the engine via one of the ports  :blink: :'(, Checking the others I couldn't believe it would just drop off, they are so well retained (item 6 is a very firm push fit into it). So, I carried on and rebuilt everything. Given that the possible cost of disaster would very much the same as looking inside the motor for the errant part I crossed everything and started the engine...nothing, just a lovely 3 litre straight six burble. Took it for a drive and gave it some beans. All is fine so I assume it has fallen somewhere more benign (or maybe wasn't there in the first place if someone else had had the manifold off and lost it before me). Looks like I've dodged a bullet but I've still got everything crossed.

[X5Sport]

I had a rubber seal do this to me.  I eventually found it had dropped onto the top of the gearbox - well out of immediate sight!  Hugely relieved to find it after a 30 minute search!

[Jontyp]

Sneaky little devils aren't they. It'll be sitting somewhere laughing at me. Anyway, it can't have been eaten by the motor. I'm pretty sure it would have caused some problem or other. If I get the chance I'll take the undertrays off and see if its anywhere to be seen. If it was anywhere down there the chances are good its fallen out by now I suppose.

[kay323]

do the e70 3.0sd have issues with the swirl flaps too?  mine is a 58 plate.

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[X5Sport]

Swirl flap reliability has improved a lot since the disasters of the 4-cyl engines, but the risk will always remain.  Considering the numbers of cars now using them - and not just BMW - the failure rate is far lower.

[Jontyp]

I guess I decided to do the change just to remove any possible doubt. Mine's a '10 plate so has the later version but they are still held to the actuator shafts with teeny-tiny screws. I haven't had a close look at them yet but all parts were present and correct. I took the chance to have a look in the EGR valve and it was very clean indeed inside, as was the manifold. Mileage is 70,000 btw.