Fitter removed throttle actuator plate - effect?
Fitter removed throttle actuator plate - effect?
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Discussion

keemaklan

Original Poster:

418 posts

174 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
quotequote all
Recently, I had two new shiny hybrid turbos sent back to me from Finland for a 535D (E61). The turbos have been proved to be good for 450hp ++ at 3.2 bar

Whilst at it, I asked the garage to fit a few other stuff: Wagner cooler, new vacuum lines all round, etc.

One of the fitters (not a mechanic per se) told me he had removed the throttle actuator plate from my car, because it served no purpose and it would help my car to breathe when I got her remapped etc.

So, once everything was put on the vehicle, and I drove around for a few days prior to the remap, It felt awfully sluggish up to about 2k rpms, and then felt a tad lethargic up to redline.

Remap time came and it pulled a pathetic, heartbreaking 260 BHP on the rollers prior to the map when it ought to have been closer to 286 hp.

I thought perhaps it’s because the ecu doesn’t know the turbos are bigger/larger inter cooler etc.

After an exhaustive day at Unicorn Motor Developments in Manchester (I’m in London) it pulled another heartbreaking max of 360 BHP, at 2.7 bar.

Rick from Unicorn made the comment that throttle actuator fault was logged on the ECU and although the turbos were very happily providing the boost, there seemed to be some sort of “blockage” in the engine that wasn’t allowing the air to reach the Pistons.

I ought to add that prior to the work and removal of the actuator plate, my car drove perfectly fine and performed “normal” for a standard 535d.

Did the removal of the actuator plate hinder my remap? Did the engine put some sort of restriction so Rick couldn’t work more magic on my car?

One thing that the fitter didn’t do as asked was clean my inlet manifold, so I will be doing that shortly but hoping to go back for round 2 at 3.2 bar with a car that gives me no issues.

Thanks in advance for any replies given.

Mr Fox

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
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What is a 'throttle actuator plate'?

keemaklan

Original Poster:

418 posts

174 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
quotequote all
The metal flap/butterfly/plate/disc inside the throttle body/actuator.

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
quotequote all
So you're finding that under conditions where the throttle would normally be partially closed the engine runs less well? I guess that indicates the throttle was doing something useful under those conditions.

stevieturbo

17,968 posts

271 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
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Who removed it and why ?


227bhp

10,203 posts

152 months

Friday 8th March 2019
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stevieturbo said:
Who removed it and why ?
keemaklan said:


One of the fitters (not a mechanic per se) told me he had removed the throttle actuator plate from my car, because it served no purpose and it would help my car to breathe when I got her remapped etc.
I can predict two things happening:

1. Someone finding out what this thing actually does.
2. Probably putting it back on.

There must be BMW forums for this kind of thing, it is a bit niche and obscure.

stevieturbo

17,968 posts

271 months

Friday 8th March 2019
quotequote all
So one of the fitters...whatever that description is. And "not a mechanic" randomly said to remove bits of your car, because he doesnt know what it does.


Maybe slap random fitter about a bit and tell him to fix your car.

And were you a guinea pig for this or has this "fitter" done this to other vehicles ?

keemaklan

Original Poster:

418 posts

174 months

Saturday 9th March 2019
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Essentially a guinea pig.

I think he was trying to be helpful, by removing what he felt could be a restriction.

Instead I've ended up with a more sluggish engine.

Going to look for a new throttle actuator now!

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Saturday 9th March 2019
quotequote all
keemaklan said:
Going to look for a new throttle actuator now!
Why?

You already own a perfectly good one, it just isn't on the car.

Steve_D

13,801 posts

282 months

Saturday 9th March 2019
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Is this a Variable intake system he has dismantled?

Steve

keemaklan

Original Poster:

418 posts

174 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
keemaklan said:
Going to look for a new throttle actuator now!
Why?

You already own a perfectly good one, it just isn't on the car.
No, the actuator is on the car. The throttle plate inside the actuator is no longer there. He threw it away once removed!

keemaklan

Original Poster:

418 posts

174 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
quotequote all
Steve_D said:
Is this a Variable intake system he has dismantled?

Steve
No idea, but I don’t THINK so?

stevieturbo

17,968 posts

271 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
quotequote all
keemaklan said:
No, the actuator is on the car. The throttle plate inside the actuator is no longer there. He threw it away once removed!
Well if said idiot cannot fix the car by other means, he needs to go and look for it and refit it to your car, as from what you are saying he has caused this issue.

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
quotequote all
keemaklan said:
The throttle plate inside the actuator is no longer there. He threw it away once removed!
Then he was an idiot, and now owes you a replacement.

E-bmw

12,349 posts

176 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
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^^^^ Wot 'e said.

Then tell him he is an idiot & should be a cake decorator rather than fitter!

anonymous-user

78 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
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THe throttle plate on a diesel is used for smoothing out regular shutdowns, shutting down the engine in the case of a diesel run-on, and to create intake vacum for proper functioning of the EGR. Not impossible to see that it might bugger about with the engines behaviour if it's asking for intake vacum and airflow and isn't getting it.

He just broke it and chucked it out, the monkey.