E46 320cd swirl flaps

[Fl0417]

Bought a e46 320cd sport coupe and was wondering is there any way to check if the swirl flaps has been done, without taking it apart.

Also looking to do an egr delete in the near future and possibly a remap

[helix402]

Don’t bother with an egr delete. It’ll use more fuel and have less power (I’ve tried it on an M57).

Remaps are good on these.

[mercedeslimos]

Done an EGR delete on an N47 and several M47s. Never had a moment's bother from any of them. As for the fuel consumption I find that hard to believe, EGR is designed to reduce cylinder combustion temps and reduce NOx and stifles combustion.

[Fl0417]

Okay will bear that in mind, however is there any way to tell if the swirl flaps had been done??

[mercedeslimos]

Fl0417 said:

Okay will bear that in mind, however is there any way to tell if the swirl flaps had been done??

You'd have to remove the manifold to check. Not hard job tbh, about 10 bolts.

[iSore]

mercedeslimos said:

You'd have to remove the manifold to check. Not hard job tbh, about 10 bolts.

And everything else. If you've never done one before, it's tricky. Rear pollen filter housing off, 4 Torx. Disconnect injector wiring, boost pipe top EGR, that sodding 10mm dipstick support bolt (fiddly to refit) this the manifold pressure sensor on the back, fuel rail pressure sensor plus the birds next of vac hoses and sensors underneath. They're a fiddly bd to do. Take lots of notes and photos and take your time.

I would be getting a set of swirl flaps at the ready and order a couple of metres of BMW braided vacuum hose as yours will all be shagged by now. Vacuum rail to the swirl flap actuator (keep this fitted and plugged in), another to the cooling vane unit on the radiator but a 320cd (six speed) will have the electronic turbo actuator, not the vacuum one. The stainless sleeves in the manifold bolt holes love to drop out if you tip the manifold upside down and the orange manifold rubber gaskets need 'gluing' in place with grease as they can drop out just as you're refitting it all.

I've done plenty over the years and I still find them a fiddly PITA job.

[red997]

ghood timing - I'm planning on doing mine this weekend;
been putting it off... but really need to get is sorted

[Fl0417]

Sounds like a pain to do, might just get it done at a garage

Another question, should i do an egr delete (egr delete kit) and drive around with a warning light on? or just software delete it when going for a remap?

[helix402]

Fl0417 said:

Sounds like a pain to do, might just get it done at a garage

Another question, should i do an egr delete (egr delete kit) and drive around with a warning light on? or just software delete it when going for a remap?

It’ll fail the MOT with an engine warning light on.

[Elliot2000]

helix402 said:

It’ll fail the MOT with an engine warning light on.

I’m not sure it will- I think engine light not fail is only after a certain year

[iSore]

If it has an EML, it will fail if it either doesn't work or comes on. EML's were phased in on BMW's around 1998 - E36's don't have them, E46's do for example.

It's all a crock of st, very difficult to apply (how does the tester know if it should have one?) and it's got fk all to do with safety.

[Richard-D]

You don't need to remove the manifold to check. Just buy one of those £6 USB endoscope cameras on ebay and shove it in the inlet. You'll see it easily with that and save yourself a load of effort/potential issues.

[mercedeslimos]

Richard-D said:

You don't need to remove the manifold to check. Just buy one of those £6 USB endoscope cameras on ebay and shove it in the inlet. You'll see it easily with that and save yourself a load of effort/potential issues.

I went and bought one of those today. Never realised they were so cheap

[vsonix]

I've just bought two. Wifi ones, HD, various hook and magnet attachments, and they're made with stiff wire so they can be made to go round corners etc easily. Basically so I can peer at my swirl flaps (or lack thereof).

Only trouble is, if you've never seen what they look like, even if you have a camera, how will one know if they're looking at a flap or not?

[Deano_BMW]

if you remove the engine covers you can just about make out if you have the blanks fitted, you can just see if you look past the EGR valve. Thats assuming someone has left everything plugged in but removed the bar.

[Fl0417]

Just had the swirl flaps done today, good thing i did, 2 of the flaps were bent slightly, should keep the car going for many more years now hopefully, currently on 154k.

[Fl0417]

Still got a lot more work planned to do though

Just had a new main thermostat done
Egr thermostat needs doing (if you get 1/4 tempreture and not on 12 o clock position replace both thermostats)
Gonna give it a service soon
After planning to get brake discs n pads n handbrake shoes done
Check for any worn suspension parts
Still not sure if i should get rid of the egr or not but planning to get the car remapped at some point

[helix402]

Leave the egr on. I’ve tested an M57 (6 cyl version of your engine) with and without egr fitted. Egr fitted better mpg. Feels more powerful.

I sold the egr delete kit.