[bigguy42]

Hi all, recently had the dreaded swirl flap problem. Started a few months back on me way home, suddenly had loss of power, so pulled over then heard a mettalic rattling noise from the engine. After revving a few times it disappeared and drove normally after that. However i did notice the car wasn't starting as normal. Got it checked at a garage and the swirl flap fault was found, had blanking plugs fitted but no sign of missing flap! The garage test drove it and said it seemed ok, this was the case until now. When i heard the dreaded rattling noise again. This time however the engine felt like it was gonna come out of the car so switched of straight away. Removed the head (what a night mare that was) anyway foundthe missing flap sitting on top of No1 piston. Had the head checked and the valves re seated and apart from a bit of pitting no major damage all cleaned up ok. Same with the pistons a bit of pitting and denting but no holes or crack's. So i'm hoping that i might have got away with it fingers crossed. Can post pics before i reassemble if anyone wants to give a second verdict.

 

[Xmak 330d]

Hello welcome :thumbsup

Yep post some pics, best go buy a lottery ticket! You've got some good luck.

Will of put some nasty shock loads through the piston con rod and crank so longevity of those parts might be shortened? But sounds like you did the correct thing in turning it of asap when that happend.

 

[SlowTech]

Sorry to hear of your woes bigguy42 :frown but welcome to the forums

I think posting picks will not only benefit yourself initially but also other members in the future, fingers X'd it fires up and runs AOK :thumbsup

Guide to posting pics should you need it http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f69/how-to-post-pictures-and-add-signatures-or-t2957/

 

[bigguy42]

2004 320d E46 wont start after rebuild

Hi all,
Finally rebuilt the engine after the swirl flap fiasco!
Only trouble is car wont start? \had to remove the battery as it had gone flat, topped up oil and water levels dont think i've forgot to connect something.
Anyway engine turns over but wont start, also the heater fan is not working no matter what setting its on! The oil light stays on as does the engine management light.
Any help please, as after all the hard work would like to hear the car running again.

 

[Trixxz]

Hi all,
Finally rebuilt the engine after the swirl flap fiasco!
Only trouble is car wont start? \had to remove the battery as it had gone flat, topped up oil and water levels dont think i've forgot to connect something.
Anyway engine turns over but wont start, also the heater fan is not working no matter what setting its on! The oil light stays on as does the engine management light.
Any help please, as after all the hard work would like to hear the car running again.

Might want to start a new thread matey that way people will see it rather than a swirl flap problem

Im clueless on the diesels but im sure someone will jump in soon

 

[dailydoggy]

diagnostics equipment required..

worth checking fuses tho if youve had an engine failure tho..

 

[ally999]

Did you have the injectors out and if you did, have you replaced them in the same location if not you will have to have them relocated to the correct cylinder or recoded

 

[Kevin Whittaker]

Fingers crossed for you mate, one lucky dude if ya manage to "get away" with it as it were....:thumbsup

Please post up some pictures, very interested to see the damage and repair....:thumbsup

 

[Brimstone]

diagnostics equipment required..

c.o.d.e 445 = s-e-l-l i-t q-u-i-c-k

 

[6891_seb]

Welcome to the forum mate, gutted for you! such a common problem Im afraid :mad

Will keep my fingers crossed for you! If all is well defo go buy yourself a scratchcard!! :cool

 

[basherboy]

had exactly the same fault mate....rebuilt my engine and couldnt start it...went on for ages and drew blanks...turned out the ECU was knackered....changed that then it was fine...also had to change the turbo after a while too as my swirl flap had managed to work its way out via that.....hope it helps if you havent already sorted it

 

[bigguy42]

Thanks mate,
God i hope its not the ECU, that's not gonna be cheap to replace! If i have no luck starting it i'll have to get someone in to run a diagnostic check on it.

 

[basherboy]

its worth a try...i tried absolutley everything and it wouldnt start..just rumbled with a bit of easy start...think it cost me £250 and i had my immoboliser chip put in the new ECU

 

[bigguy42]

250 thats not as bad as i thought it would be!
Spoke to a mechanic mate of mine, he said to check the crankshaft sensor? Might have loosened it when removing the the locking tool to set the timing. So its back out in the morning to check that.

 

[basherboy]

yep quite possible.....do post your findings please mate....although not sure that would cause the other faults