[Len_Beach]

I have a 2009 330d LCI with the N57. I have a glow plug fault as the car is shortly due a service; I started to look into carbon cleaning as the car is in 78k and the manifold would be off anyway.

This then got me onto removal of the swirl flaps. I decided to buy a second hand inlet from eBay and I had it sent to James at SF3 Engineering who makes the N47 swirl flap bungs.

James took a look at the manifold and established that the swirl flap setup is completely different to the N47. The N57 flaps are located on a dowel that runs from the swirl flap actuator. Removal of the dowel allows removal of the flaps and the actuator and DDE will know no different.

The carbon build up around the swirl flaps particularly ports 1 & 2 nearest the inlet is clear to see in the first photo.

After removal of the flaps and some vigorous clearing; it's clear how unrestricted the manifold and ports now are.

I've yet to remove my manifold so I'm not sure how coked up the inlet and head will be but this manifold was from a similar mileage car and at points there was 1/2 inch of oily carbon build inside the manifold.

In photo 2 you can see the lobe that links to the actuator then in photo 3 you can see the internal side if the lobe that locates the dowel. Photo 4 is then the view of the dowel locator with the port surround refitted.

[elbutio]

Nice write up. Did he make a bung or did you just put the cam back to seal? I'm looking to use a bung on the old mans n47 soon which is leaking through this flap motor to dowel entry.

Considering this on my n57 for piece of mind but would be very interested in your feedback after fitting to make sure no errors or I'll behaviours??

Cheers

[elbutio]

Just read your other post, no bung needed then?

[Len_Beach]

No bung needed Buddy. The cam lobe will remain attached to the actuator so the car won't know the flaps aren't in situ.

All being well; I'm having this fitted next week so should get the car back on Saturday the 3rd so I'll keep you posted.

If this works; I'll be selling my existing manifold if you fancy doing what I've done and cleaning up, de-flapping etc ready for a straight swap.

[elbutio]

Nice one. I would have been very interested but I got a new manifold about 1 month ago due to a dodgy flap control cam on the old one. I'm getting plausibility errors still so I guess my cleaning wasn't as amazing as I thought! I will probably remove the flaps soon

[Len_Beach]

Originally Posted by elbutio

Nice one. I would have been very interested but I got a new manifold about 1 month ago due to a dodgy flap control cam on the old one. I'm getting plausibility errors still so I guess my cleaning wasn't as amazing as I thought! I will probably remove the flaps soon

What errors are you getting?

This manifold came with an actuator which I plugged in yesterday to test but it threw 4 errors so that could be your culprit.

[elbutio]

I get swirl valve controller position sensor signal. And swirl valve plausibility when hooked upto rheingold.
Cheers

[Len_Beach]

Originally Posted by elbutio

I get swirl valve controller position sensor signal. And swirl valve plausibility when hooked upto rheingold.
Cheers

I'll check what mine throws up; it sounds similar.