individual Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 basically took the flaps out and instead of the selt tapper that i was afraid would fall in anyway. once out i cut the rod (that holds the flap) at the tx screw hole and put it back in again, then i put 4 little 4mm spacer on the actuator rod and popped the rod back in place. the idea of the spacers was too hold the 4 rods (that the flaps used to screw onto) tightly in place and keep the seal does that make sense, stupidly i forgot pics, i might try and photo shop other pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singh Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 basically took the flaps out and instead of the selt tapper that i was afraid would fall in anyway. once out i cut the rod (that holds the flap) at the tx screw hole and put it back in again, then i put 4 little 4mm spacer on the actuator rod and popped the rod back in place. the idea of the spacers was too hold the 4 rods (that the flaps used to screw onto) tightly in place and keep the seal does that make sense, stupidly i forgot pics, i might try and photo shop other pics Sorry mate, lost me on that one - doesn't quite make sense. Pics might helps however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
individual Posted July 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 sorry this read didnt show up so i didnt elaborate on it this pic shows where i cut the rod. its cut just after the tx screw and left with a few mm of rod on the swirl flap then i put the swirl flap(or de-flap)back in as shown in the pic below. now the spacer is on the actuator rod because the flap(no.3 below) itself is what held the swirl flap unit together. the illustration below shows the swirl flap in 3 pieces. the rod...no.1.... and the flap...no.3... come at no.2 from each end and hold each other in place when screwed together via the black spots in the illustration. when i removed the flap...no.3... the rod...no.1...had nothing to hold it in place and make a seal. i put a spacer on the actuator rod to hold the swirl flap rod...no.1... tight against no.2 below to make the seal. a small nut will do also make sense??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Sounds ok.. Tbh though id always rather get rid of the problem completely than do something like this. Blanks are approx £10each so not too expensive and there's no chance at all of anything coming loose and destroying your engine. I think I understand what you've done and yes it'll help - but as above id rather just be done with it.. Another way of DIY'ing this is to remove the flap and replace it with a screw with some loctite type of bonding agent on there so the screw cant come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddenly drew Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 well im the latest to have the swirl flap failure. however i have lost the whole flap!! it hasnt got passed the valve yet so im halfway in to recover it!! can anyone help on the head removal side?? ie timing chain removal. do i need pins to set it?? have lots of pics if anyone wants to see i can post. cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy_b Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 cant you just remove the flaps of it or do u have to cut them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 i removed the whole flap shaft and was left with a hole. screwed a massive selftapper liberally dosed in oil resistant sealant to fill the hole. Self tapper was screwed from the outside so it will never come loose and make its way into the engine. blanks are dear enough and unless you want to go back to the flaps, not really needed. Have seen others use a bolt and nylock nut but even then something *could* come loose. Big brutal screw worked a treat for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy_b Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 but cant you just unsrew the flaps take them out an leave the rod in there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattwatson Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 Aware of this swirl flap issue I have attempted to read up on whether mine is a model at risk. When when i read things talking about different engines etc i get a bit lost as i dont know very much about cars. Is a 2005 320cd (55plate) also at risk? apologies in advance if the answer to this is obvious elsewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy_b Posted October 16, 2010 Report Share Posted October 16, 2010 dont worry mate im getin a bit lost lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted October 16, 2010 Report Share Posted October 16, 2010 For info on which cars are effected:- http://www.swirlflaps.co.uk/is-my-car-affected.html Yes I could've just told you I suppose.. lol Get em removed! If you're going to do it - do it properly! Get some proper blanks and get them removed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb78 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Is there any difference to low rev range performance once flaps removed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Nope! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb78 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Ok I just brought mine and flaps have alredy been removed but coming from a 1.9tdi passat it feels sluggish low down but then picks up and goes well. rickzsingh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Ok I just brought mine and flaps have alredy been removed but coming from a 1.9tdi passat it feels sluggish low down but then picks up and goes well. BMW's have a different power delivery to VAG's.. I know exactly what you mean but it's perfectly normal. VAG's seem to be good low down but run out of puff at the top end. With BMW's it's the other way around. I've driven 2.0ltr BMW's and VW's so can compare directly. Not driven a 3.0ltr Audi yet so can't compare those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb78 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 That's good to know then, the BMW definitely starts to move on 3k onward as like you say the VW dies away. Haven't had much time in the 320d yet as having some paint sorted but look forward too it. momo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickzsingh Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Ok I just brought mine and flaps have alredy been removed but coming from a 1.9tdi passat it feels sluggish low down but then picks up and goes well. Remap it and you won't miss the passat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb78 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Is yours remapped? I not far from Kettering, was it done locally? rickzsingh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickzsingh Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Yep, mines been remapped to 191 bhp but it wasn't done local as it was BW Chiptune in Middlesex, Hayes.. However, Motech performance in Earls Barton are very good who are local Whereabouts are you? dannyb78 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb78 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I am in Rushden. So not far away.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickzsingh Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 If you want it done local then I would defo recommend Motech performance in Earls Barton! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blclar Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Is it only Auto's that have the issue? Mines a 2004 (54) 320d Manual? Do you think it needs doing? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Is it only Auto's that have the issue? Mines a 2004 (54) 320d Manual? Do you think it needs doing? Cheers Yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJGREEN Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 I have bought the swirl flap blanks for my 54 320cd. Is that all I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steves100uk Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Hi All. I am new to the BMW seen. Is there an easy way to find out if the blanks have been fitted? Also if not what size would I need for a 06 320cd coupe. Are they easy to fit? Many thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
