Hashx Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Hi Guys, I have a BMW e46 320D, I only recently heard of the swirl flap problem and im afraid i got a feeling that my ones have broken. I haven't had a chance to actually take a look a them as I am waiting to get the blanks i ordered off Ebay. The reason i think they have broken is because when the engine is idle I can hair a tapping/rattling noise. The car itself drives fine like there is nothing wrong other than black smoke from the exhaust which is leading me towards a injector being damaged by the swirl flaps. Anywho the question I have for you guys say the swirl flaps have damaged my injector what is the best option for me to fix this? Regards, Hash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 As far as I know if a swirl flap breaks off - it goes into the combustion chamber and destroys pistons/valves etc.. Not injectors! Or at least if it does the injector will be the least of your worries.. It's a case of stop car, turn off engine and don't dare turn it back on again until you've opened it up and checked scenario if a flap has broken. From what you're saying it sounds more like a pulley/bearing that's failed around the aux belt system. Especially if it drives ok! Either way get it towed to a garage or park it up and remove the manifold and have a look. Don't turn it back on until you've inspected it. Hashx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashx Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 2 minutes ago, momo said: As far as I know if a swirl flap breaks off - it goes into the combustion chamber and destroys pistons/valves etc.. Not injectors! Or at least if it does the injector will be the least of your worries.. It's a case of stop car, turn off engine and don't dare turn it back on again until you've opened it up and checked scenario if a flap has broken. From what you're saying it sounds more like a pulley/bearing that's failed around the aux belt system. Especially if it drives ok! Either way get it towed to a garage or park it up and remove the manifold and have a look. Don't turn it back on until you've inspected it. Thanks for the info! I shall take a look at it tomorrow, As far as i remember the noise was coming from the rail pressure area where the injectors are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve320cd Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I had a swirl flap failure and there was no smoke when it happened, just a horrific noise where it ate away at one of the cylinders when it fell in at 50mph, needless to say a new engine went in so get those swirl flaps taken off asap mate! I learned the hard way Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Hashx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashx Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Thanks steve, Well i have received the blanks however my mechanic is trying to charge me £130 to put in the blanks :/. As a DIY job is it any difficult? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markos_46 Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Done mine (330d) and was the 1st diesel I worked on, took me about 30-40 mins and just a case of unbolting the inlet manifold and un-screwing the swirl flaps and popping a blank in its place - dont need any special tools, just a socket set and a phillips screwdriver. I wouldnt pay £130 to have it done but depends on the book time for the job I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasa Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 On 01/03/2016 at 07:16, Hashx said: Thanks steve, Well i have received the blanks however my mechanic is trying to charge me £130 to put in the blanks :/. As a DIY job is it any difficult? depends on his labour charge,but no way more than two hours,a mechanic should be doing it in less time though,go and get a few quotes,also a garage that has done it before will be able to do it quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BmEagle Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 I paid £120 inc parts for 6 cylinder so £130 is a tad steep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Judge_ Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Not sure how different the 320D is to the 330D but this may help. Let me know if the guide needs changing : http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/61747-removing-the-inlet-manifold-on-the-330d/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
