Swirl Flaps Delete Code?

e90Noobie · 01-31-2020, 10:23 AM

I was able to remove 3/4 of the old threads and then insert a one size bigger self threading screw. The stupid hardware store only had them in Flathead so it was a PIA to screw it in. In hindsight I probably should have drilled out 100% of the old threads first. The new screw is about 97% in due to the old threads bunching up I assume, but it seems to be ok. It did thread in and I doubt it will come out, added some loctite as well. I got the car put back together enough to start it up last night and everything seems copacetic, no SES. Will have to take it for a drive this weekend to see if it comes on. Fingers crossed nothing blows up

Tambohamilton · 01-31-2020, 11:53 AM

Sounds good, well done!

BB_cuda · 01-31-2020, 11:53 AM

Sounds like you didn't have time to wait but could have got the preferred screw head style from Mcmaster or other online source. They would make you buy a pack of 10 (or more) though. I hadn't seen that area in a long time so i don't recall the OE screw head type. The larger screw should be fine. Sorry for your difficulty but we all should be careful with how tight we screw these back in. My swirl flap blanks are staying put and will only come off if i need to soak the intake in cleaner again (but i shouldn't).

e90Noobie · 01-31-2020, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Sounds like you didn't have time to wait but could have got the preferred screw head style from Mcmaster or other online source. They would make you buy a pack of 10 (or more) though. I hadn't seen that area in a long time so i don't recall the OE screw head type. The larger screw should be fine. Sorry for your difficulty but we all should be careful with how tight we screw these back in. My swirl flap blanks are staying put and will only come off if i need to soak the intake in cleaner again (but i shouldn't).

I honestly think it was from removing the screw at an angle because as I inserted the screw while installing the blank it was only about 1/4 of the way in and I saw black plastic in the threads of the screw. If I had to do this again I'd almost be tempted to dremel the bar into separate pieces so that I don't have to remove those bottom screws at an angle.

DougNBodie · 03-02-2020, 03:14 PM

Swirl flaps.....This might have been asked but I cant find much info at all on the subject, but why not just spot weld the screws on the swirl flaps so the flaps never come off in the first place?

Tambohamilton · 03-02-2020, 04:46 PM

Give it a go, if you like! Fatigue is a crazy thing though, let me tell you.

Only old engines (of the M57 family) had bare metal flaps. I think all e90 ones had their flaps coated in plastic, and a rubber seal co-molded around the outside. So the screws holding the flap to the shaft were encased in plastic. Well, that's what mine look like anyhow, and the part number for my manifold goes back to 2005 or something.

01-31-2020, 10:23 AM	#23
e90Noobie Private First Class 16 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Nunya iTrader: (0)	I was able to remove 3/4 of the old threads and then insert a one size bigger self threading screw. The stupid hardware store only had them in Flathead so it was a PIA to screw it in. In hindsight I probably should have drilled out 100% of the old threads first. The new screw is about 97% in due to the old threads bunching up I assume, but it seems to be ok. It did thread in and I doubt it will come out, added some loctite as well. I got the car put back together enough to start it up last night and everything seems copacetic, no SES. Will have to take it for a drive this weekend to see if it comes on. Fingers crossed nothing blows up Last edited by e90Noobie; 01-31-2020 at 10:41 AM..
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01-31-2020, 11:53 AM	#24
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Sounds good, well done!
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01-31-2020, 11:53 AM	#25
BB_cuda Brigadier General 764 Rep 3,555 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you didn't have time to wait but could have got the preferred screw head style from Mcmaster or other online source. They would make you buy a pack of 10 (or more) though. I hadn't seen that area in a long time so i don't recall the OE screw head type. The larger screw should be fine. Sorry for your difficulty but we all should be careful with how tight we screw these back in. My swirl flap blanks are staying put and will only come off if i need to soak the intake in cleaner again (but i shouldn't).
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03-02-2020, 03:14 PM	#27
DougNBodie Private 27 Rep 92 Posts Drives: BMW 335d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Orange County , CA. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [10.00]	Swirl flaps.....This might have been asked but I cant find much info at all on the subject, but why not just spot weld the screws on the swirl flaps so the flaps never come off in the first place?
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03-02-2020, 04:46 PM	#28
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Give it a go, if you like! Fatigue is a crazy thing though, let me tell you. Only old engines (of the M57 family) had bare metal flaps. I think all e90 ones had their flaps coated in plastic, and a rubber seal co-molded around the outside. So the screws holding the flap to the shaft were encased in plastic. Well, that's what mine look like anyhow, and the part number for my manifold goes back to 2005 or something.
	Appreciate 0 Quote