BMW 2013 535d Touring — Swirl Flaps Question

[Mchatelier]

Hi I'm looking at the above model. Would swirl flaps be an issue on this model? The seller hasn't had them deleted in his ownership but wanted to check if they are common to failure for this year/engine and cost to remove if indeed required. Many Thanks

[bigdom]

Anything can break, but whether it will/does nobody knows.

I had mine removed and an E series car in August as the inlet manifold was leaking at 145k, it had a new one at 70k miles. It was part of other works, so I'd expect a specialist to charge in the region of £300 to remove & blank.

[d_a_n1979]

Mchatelier said:

Hi I'm looking at the above model. Would swirl flaps be an issue on this model? The seller hasn't had them deleted in his ownership but wanted to check if they are common to failure for this year/engine and cost to remove if indeed required. Many Thanks

From reading when I ran my F01 730D (N57 engine also); you're best to leave the swirl flaps in place to get the best out of the engine

It's all down to how well the engine/car has been maintained etc; it maybe worth a look and give the intake a good walnut blasting etc

But worth doing some further research on Google to see the pros & cons of the swirl flaps removal

[mr sagman]

I have an E61 LCI 09 plate 535d and hadn't considered the swirl flaps a concern ( as I believed it was a pre LCI issue) The vehicle has been regularly

serviced by prior owners and drives superbly well and is on 168k miles ( recently had a big service at a BMW specialist) without anything flagging up as

needing attention (Not that they would be checking the Swirl flaps in any case) Just wondering if I should be having these removed as a precautionary ?

Would appreciate any advice on this whatsoever. (As an afterthought is it a big job to check if a previous owner has has them removed)

Edited by mr sagman on Monday 8th January 21:55

[bigdom]

LCI cars got a better inlet manifold, thicker spindles on the flaps.

I believe the flaps in the inlet manifold are now deemed to have a 60k/ 6 year life. The build up of crap stops them opening and closing as originally designed, then prone to breakage.

Mine had a new manifold circa 70k as it developed a split, but that starting leaking last year (145k), taking out the glowplug controller, melted a few wires. When the gaskets were changed, the swirl flaps were removed last July.

The car doesn't see many miles anymore, it's well down the pecking order in the household. So far, no issues. I changed the thermostats last month, and the EGR valve was spotless. I assume it's still running well.

[657]

I have an LCI E60 535d with just over 300k miles. Last year I took the manifold off to fix oil leaking from it and replace the rubber gaskets. Flaps were not impeded by crud etc but were worse for wear. I decided to remove and blank rather than replace the manifold. I had flap ingestion on a previous 530d and would not wish to repeat.

So pay your money etc. I’d factor in at least an inspection.

[helix402]

Mchatelier said:

Hi I'm looking at the above model. Would swirl flaps be an issue on this model? The seller hasn't had them deleted in his ownership but wanted to check if they are common to failure for this year/engine and cost to remove if indeed required. Many Thanks

That will have the N57 engine. Swirl flaps are not a problem on that engine. Main bearings and timing chains are.

[Aluminati]

helix402 said:

Mchatelier said:

Hi I'm looking at the above model. Would swirl flaps be an issue on this model? The seller hasn't had them deleted in his ownership but wanted to check if they are common to failure for this year/engine and cost to remove if indeed required. Many Thanks

That will have the N57 engine. Swirl flaps are not a problem on that engine. Main bearings and timing chains are.

This man actually knows what he’s talking about.

[mr sagman]

Cheers for all the reply's guys, I may get them removed just to be on the safe side.

[rottenegg]

helix402 said:

That will have the N57 engine. Swirl flaps are not a problem on that engine. Main bearings and timing chains are.

Except when they melt from EGR cooler failure.

Main #1 - yes, when the vibration damper fails and driven like that for ages.

Chains - less so on engines with start/stop disabled and more regular oil changes done.