Swirl Flaps

90MSP · 02-22-2014, 06:43 AM

Guys, I have a 330D E90 55 plate with 57k on it. Brief history has been clogged DPF and knock effect due to town only driving by a previous owner (hence low mileage).

So having done the most part to correct 'things'... I am now pondering the great 'Swirl Flap' removal question. Has anyone has any experience with this ?, read stories of power loss / poorer mpg etc after blanking... is that true? . It is worth having them removed and what is the impact ?

Cheers

e91boi · 02-22-2014, 05:55 PM

Checked my when did the glow plugs mine is a 2006 330d with circ 94k removed them cleaned and refited with new sealant nothing wrong with them.

Mine had the new spec swirls fitted

joeyt · 02-22-2014, 06:23 PM

Iv heard mpg is better and the car feels the same. My 535d has the pmw blanks and feels fine as far as im concerned.

90MSP · 02-23-2014, 04:09 AM

Thanks. It's one of those things.... BMW obviously put them there for a reason so what would the impact be of taking them out. They present that risk which is why people take them out. Given my cars history i'm inclined to go for it, don't know what condition they will be in.

parapaul · 02-23-2014, 04:18 AM

AFAIK this problem was only really an issue with the 320d, and primarily the E46.

I'm almost certain I've never seen a reported problem with any E90.

Jase 320d · 02-23-2014, 04:32 AM

Yup wouldn't worry about it

Mpg suffers with swirl flap removal

90MSP · 02-23-2014, 04:42 AM

Ok, you have made my mind up. I'll have them looked at and cleaned if needed for peace of mind and leave them in place.

john-vfr · 02-23-2014, 07:05 AM

For what its worth I did mine on my e46 02 model just before they let go.It was a proven issue on that year .I didn't notice any difference whatsoever in performance or mpg to be honest but great peace of mind.I haven't seen or heard of any issues on e91,so I am not worrying about my 09.I agree with para n jase

oldbilly · 02-23-2014, 08:16 AM

from circa 2005 they upgraded to the cartridge type swirl flap with no further know failures apart from the seals leaking and an easy fix.
Originally I removed mine and put them back as I found it had an annoying slight hesitation at low speeds so I still had my original flaps in at 140k although I have installed some lower mileage ones now, the later vehicles have updated software for the swirl and tumble technology which I believe is very different from the e46 models.

02-22-2014, 06:43 AM	#1
90MSP Private First Class 14 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 330D M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330D M Sport [0.00]	Swirl Flaps - in a flap ! Guys, I have a 330D E90 55 plate with 57k on it. Brief history has been clogged DPF and knock effect due to town only driving by a previous owner (hence low mileage). So having done the most part to correct 'things'... I am now pondering the great 'Swirl Flap' removal question. Has anyone has any experience with this ?, read stories of power loss / poorer mpg etc after blanking... is that true? . It is worth having them removed and what is the impact ? Cheers Last edited by 90MSP; 02-22-2014 at 02:20 PM..
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02-22-2014, 05:55 PM	#2
e91boi Private 2 Rep 60 Posts Drives: E91 330d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North East iTrader: (1)	Checked my when did the glow plugs mine is a 2006 330d with circ 94k removed them cleaned and refited with new sealant nothing wrong with them. Mine had the new spec swirls fitted
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02-22-2014, 06:23 PM	#3
joeyt Banned 5 Rep 380 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: essex iTrader: (0)	Iv heard mpg is better and the car feels the same. My 535d has the pmw blanks and feels fine as far as im concerned.
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02-23-2014, 04:09 AM	#4
90MSP Private First Class 14 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 330D M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330D M Sport [0.00]	Thanks. It's one of those things.... BMW obviously put them there for a reason so what would the impact be of taking them out. They present that risk which is why people take them out. Given my cars history i'm inclined to go for it, don't know what condition they will be in.
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02-23-2014, 04:18 AM	#5
parapaul Colonel 118 Rep 2,216 Posts Drives: E91 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stoke on Trent iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E91 330D MSport [0.00]	AFAIK this problem was only really an issue with the 320d, and primarily the E46. I'm almost certain I've never seen a reported problem with any E90.
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02-23-2014, 04:32 AM	#6
Jase 320d Wheelbarrow Edition 60 Rep 1,608 Posts Drives: Arctic 320d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dumfries and Galloway iTrader: (1)	Yup wouldn't worry about it Mpg suffers with swirl flap removal
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02-23-2014, 04:42 AM	#7
90MSP Private First Class 14 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 330D M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330D M Sport [0.00]	Ok, you have made my mind up. I'll have them looked at and cleaned if needed for peace of mind and leave them in place.
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02-23-2014, 07:05 AM	#8
john-vfr spender of the kids inheritance 18 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW xdrive touring Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	For what its worth I did mine on my e46 02 model just before they let go.It was a proven issue on that year .I didn't notice any difference whatsoever in performance or mpg to be honest but great peace of mind.I haven't seen or heard of any issues on e91,so I am not worrying about my 09.I agree with para n jase
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02-23-2014, 08:16 AM	#9
oldbilly Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 330d e91 M Sport Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: cambridgeshire iTrader: (2)	from circa 2005 they upgraded to the cartridge type swirl flap with no further know failures apart from the seals leaking and an easy fix. Originally I removed mine and put them back as I found it had an annoying slight hesitation at low speeds so I still had my original flaps in at 140k although I have installed some lower mileage ones now, the later vehicles have updated software for the swirl and tumble technology which I believe is very different from the e46 models.
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