Swirl flap confusion

Gazdkw · Dec 15th, 2018, 19:36

I know it's been talked about alot but I'm a little confused.

Is there different swirl flap set ups?

The arm on mine has been hanging since I purchased the car over a year ago. I've decided to try and just buy a new arm and connect it up. The mechanism that connects to the engine seem to be rocking back and forth which would indicate there is movement?

Anyway, the swirl flap arms online are all different. Mine looks like this

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F283276452289

Is there a way to make sure the entire set up is working ok once I connect the new arm up?

nickh1978 · Dec 19th, 2018, 09:53

I don't have an answer specifically to your questions but:

- the arm connected to the swirl-flaps on my D5 also moves very easily (in the engine block, not the 3-inch arm that connects to the stepper-motor) - I wonder whether the arm has become disconnected from the flaps themselves. Without taking things apart, I am not sure how I check this.

- In terms of seeing whether re-attaching the arm fixes the problem, I have read that on start-up the engine is much smoother and also on acceleration when the swirl-flaps are working (I have no proof here, just what I've read) BUT, I do know that I get an engine management warning light when I go over 3k revs directly related to my lack of working swirl-flaps, so that might be a good indicator?

I will be interested to see if you have any other replies to this one.

Cheers, Nick.

Gazdkw · Dec 19th, 2018, 10:11

I'm debating taking it all apart next year and sorting it out.

Not sure how big of a job it is though

Clan · Dec 19th, 2018, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazdkw

I know it's been talked about alot but I'm a little confused.

Is there different swirl flap set ups?

The arm on mine has been hanging since I purchased the car over a year ago. I've decided to try and just buy a new arm and connect it up. The mechanism that connects to the engine seem to be rocking back and forth which would indicate there is movement?

Anyway, the swirl flap arms online are all different. Mine looks like this

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F283276452289

Is there a way to make sure the entire set up is working ok once I connect the new arm up?

£12 for the link ? a rip off they were £4 when I last changed one ..

dickiemint1312 · Dec 19th, 2018, 18:11

the arm on mine has been disconnected and the swirl flaps lockwired open for two years. The arm kept coming off even after I tried a new one. Cant say I've noticed any difference in performance and its given no problems or any warning lights and I tow a caravan too. Been all over Europe with no problems.
Its when they are not 'open' it will give engine management lights etc. I obviously do get a fault shows up relating to the motor (because its not connected to anything) if the car is scanned with a diagnostic tool but no running issues etc.
'open' is with the lever pulled toward the front of the car. The lever in the engine does move very easily, like its not connected to anything.

Gazdkw · Dec 19th, 2018, 19:16

Well I don't have any performance issues. Shall I just leave it then?

TiredGeek · Dec 19th, 2018, 20:21

Like Clan says, that's a complete rip off. Go to the stealers, give 'em your chassis number and get the correct part for ~£5

I did a little mod on the last one I fitted as it was a bit loose on the flap end.
I cut along the ball cup to effectively split it down the middle, then drilled a small hole just above the cup for a screw making sure it would fit freely through one side.
Fit it over the ball on the swirl flap end, pull it forward to get access and put a small screw in the hole and tighten. This pulls the cup tight over the ball and opens it slightly down the slot so it now sits tightly on the ball.
Clip the other end on the motor. Hey presto, no more coming off

(I thought I had photos but I can't find them at the mo)

dickiemint1312 · Dec 20th, 2018, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazdkw

Well I don't have any performance issues. Shall I just leave it then?

as long as the flaps are open i.e. lever pulled forward it shouldn't give you any trouble. volvo do a repair kit which consists if a little pin and star clip. you need to carefully drill a 2mm hole trough the ball and socket. push the pin through and fit the star clip. It didn't work for me so I lock wired through the hole I drilled and secured it round the stud for the engine cover. I wanted to make sure the flaps stayed open because its when they close too much you'll get the limp mode and warning light. I'll get a picture later.

dickiemint1312 · Dec 20th, 2018, 07:40

this is the 'repair kit'

Cornish Expat · Dec 28th, 2018, 13:43

Just a quick thanks to everyone for posting on here as this thread has save me over £100 for a diagnostic at the dealer during that awkward Christmas new year gap.
Reversing into my driveway on Christmas Eve after a spirited drive home and I got “engine system service urgent message” and the engine started rough running. After calling out the RAC (why pay the garage and hours labour to plug it into a computer) they did a diagnostic which highlighted the swirl flaps, the “technician” then had a brief poke around, couldn’t find them so emailed me the fault code and said try googling it.
10 min on here and I’d worked out the actuator arm was missing. When the dealer opened after Xmas I had the part and the “service kit” by lunchtime. Arm is now installed and the car is back to normal. Started the engine 5 times and the message cleared itself. Now I just need to work out a way to drill the hole for the pin given the restricted access to the butterfly. I’m thinking right angle drill attachment.

For anybody who doesn’t need the part there and then they can be sourced here, and work out about a £1 cheaper than the main dealer. This is for a V50 but the other style arm is available. This also allowed me to give the dealer the part number. As I didn’t order from here I can’t endorse the website.

https://www.volvopartshop.com/volvo-...60-20800-p.asp

https://www.volvopartshop.com/swirl-...91-12423-p.asp

Dec 15th, 2018, 19:36	#1
Gazdkw Master Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 21:14 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Leicester	Swirl flap confusion I know it's been talked about alot but I'm a little confused. Is there different swirl flap set ups? The arm on mine has been hanging since I purchased the car over a year ago. I've decided to try and just buy a new arm and connect it up. The mechanism that connects to the engine seem to be rocking back and forth which would indicate there is movement? Anyway, the swirl flap arms online are all different. Mine looks like this https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F283276452289 Is there a way to make sure the entire set up is working ok once I connect the new arm up?

Dec 19th, 2018, 18:11	#5
dickiemint1312 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 4th, 2019 13:01 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: wigan	the arm on mine has been disconnected and the swirl flaps lockwired open for two years. The arm kept coming off even after I tried a new one. Cant say I've noticed any difference in performance and its given no problems or any warning lights and I tow a caravan too. Been all over Europe with no problems. Its when they are not 'open' it will give engine management lights etc. I obviously do get a fault shows up relating to the motor (because its not connected to anything) if the car is scanned with a diagnostic tool but no running issues etc. 'open' is with the lever pulled toward the front of the car. The lever in the engine does move very easily, like its not connected to anything. __________________ 2006 V70 D5 SE geartronic. 426 silver 2002 C70 2.0 Lpt in Moondust Last edited by dickiemint1312; Dec 19th, 2018 at 18:18.

Dec 19th, 2018, 20:21	#7
TiredGeek Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2022 20:46 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leeds	Like Clan says, that's a complete rip off. Go to the stealers, give 'em your chassis number and get the correct part for ~£5 I did a little mod on the last one I fitted as it was a bit loose on the flap end. I cut along the ball cup to effectively split it down the middle, then drilled a small hole just above the cup for a screw making sure it would fit freely through one side. Fit it over the ball on the swirl flap end, pull it forward to get access and put a small screw in the hole and tighten. This pulls the cup tight over the ball and opens it slightly down the slot so it now sits tightly on the ball. Clip the other end on the motor. Hey presto, no more coming off (I thought I had photos but I can't find them at the mo) __________________ Defected to BMW. 335d xdrive.

Dec 28th, 2018, 13:43	#10
Cornish Expat Junior Member Last Online: Jul 5th, 2023 21:11 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Lybster	Cheers and links Just a quick thanks to everyone for posting on here as this thread has save me over £100 for a diagnostic at the dealer during that awkward Christmas new year gap. Reversing into my driveway on Christmas Eve after a spirited drive home and I got “engine system service urgent message” and the engine started rough running. After calling out the RAC (why pay the garage and hours labour to plug it into a computer) they did a diagnostic which highlighted the swirl flaps, the “technician” then had a brief poke around, couldn’t find them so emailed me the fault code and said try googling it. 10 min on here and I’d worked out the actuator arm was missing. When the dealer opened after Xmas I had the part and the “service kit” by lunchtime. Arm is now installed and the car is back to normal. Started the engine 5 times and the message cleared itself. Now I just need to work out a way to drill the hole for the pin given the restricted access to the butterfly. I’m thinking right angle drill attachment. For anybody who doesn’t need the part there and then they can be sourced here, and work out about a £1 cheaper than the main dealer. This is for a V50 but the other style arm is available. This also allowed me to give the dealer the part number. As I didn’t order from here I can’t endorse the website. https://www.volvopartshop.com/volvo-...60-20800-p.asp https://www.volvopartshop.com/swirl-...91-12423-p.asp

Dec 19th, 2018, 09:53	#2
nickh1978 New Member Last Online: Oct 17th, 2021 18:50 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ipswich	I don't have an answer specifically to your questions but: - the arm connected to the swirl-flaps on my D5 also moves very easily (in the engine block, not the 3-inch arm that connects to the stepper-motor) - I wonder whether the arm has become disconnected from the flaps themselves. Without taking things apart, I am not sure how I check this. - In terms of seeing whether re-attaching the arm fixes the problem, I have read that on start-up the engine is much smoother and also on acceleration when the swirl-flaps are working (I have no proof here, just what I've read) BUT, I do know that I get an engine management warning light when I go over 3k revs directly related to my lack of working swirl-flaps, so that might be a good indicator? I will be interested to see if you have any other replies to this one. Cheers, Nick.

Dec 19th, 2018, 10:11	#3
Gazdkw Master Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 21:14 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Leicester	I'm debating taking it all apart next year and sorting it out. Not sure how big of a job it is though

Dec 19th, 2018, 19:16	#6
Gazdkw Master Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 21:14 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Leicester	Well I don't have any performance issues. Shall I just leave it then?

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