Swirl throttle linkage question

[Semnoz]

Sorry to raise such an age-old topic, but like many other D5s, my linkage arm has popped off and just hangs off the swirl arm. I have no idea how long it's been like this.

I'm not asking how to fix it, as there are loads of guides out there.

I just want to know what on earth the swirl arm assembly is for and what immediate effect it has on the engine if the linkage isn't connected (I'm not asking about the long term risks of the swirl flaps eventually breaking inside).

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Semnoz

Sorry to raise such an age-old topic, but like many other D5s, my linkage arm has popped off and just hangs off the swirl arm. I have no idea how long it's been like this.

I'm not asking how to fix it, as there are loads of guides out there.

I just want to know what on earth the swirl arm assembly is for and what immediate effect it has on the engine if the linkage isn't connected (I'm not asking about the long term risks of the swirl flaps eventually breaking inside).

the swirl flaps block off one of the inlet ports on each cylinder to increase the speed of the air and make it swirl which gives more torque for pulling away and getting going at low rpm ..

[Semnoz]

Originally Posted by Clan

the swirl flaps block off one of the inlet ports on each cylinder to increase the speed of the air and make it swirl which gives more torque for pulling away and getting going at low rpm ..

Many thanks for explaining that. Well, I have plenty of torque so that probably suggests they're working fine.

I'm assuming the black plastic arm with ball-joints at either end is just to prevent the swirl-arm motor from reaching it's own position limits ?

As I can never rest knowing that something doesn't look right, I decided to do a quick fix to stop this guide-arm from popping off the ball-joint. Machined the end to a thinner section to allow a small split-pin to be inserted through the ball (after drilling a hole through it):



I have no idea if it'll last, but it can't be worse than when it was hanging loose.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Semnoz

Many thanks for explaining that. Well, I have plenty of torque so that probably suggests they're working fine.

I'm assuming the black plastic arm with ball-joints at either end is just to prevent the swirl-arm motor from reaching it's own position limits ?

As I can never rest knowing that something doesn't look right, I decided to do a quick fix to stop this guide-arm from popping off the ball-joint. Machined the end to a thinner section to allow a small split-pin to be inserted through the ball (after drilling a hole through it):



I have no idea if it'll last, but it can't be worse than when it was hanging loose.

if it is disconnected and shut you will have plenty of torque at low rpm but it will restrict power at higher rpm and put the engine into reduced performance ( Limp) mode .
If the flaps fail open you will lack torque at low rpm but it usually does not put a message up , The flaps are free to flap in the air flow so could change from one position to the other .
Your repair is very similar to the basic volvo repair , they sell a pin and spring clip for £4

[Joe Harding]

I'm after the linkage that goes on the swirl flap axle. Anyone got one to sell?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Joe Harding

I'm after the linkage that goes on the swirl flap axle. Anyone got one to sell?

you mean the short link rod that goes on the motor and swirl arm ball joints? If so , about £4 from a dealer .

[Semnoz]

Originally Posted by Clan

you mean the short link rod that goes on the motor and swirl arm ball joints? If so , about £4 from a dealer .

Clan - before I attached the plastic link rod to the ball joint using a split-pin, I noticed the whole plate it was free to move back and forth on its pivot. There was no resistance, I could simply rock it forwards or backwards with no effort at all, which suggests it's not attached to anything other than the pivot. This isn't correct, surely ?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Semnoz

Clan - before I attached the plastic link rod to the ball joint using a split-pin, I noticed the whole plate it was free to move back and forth on its pivot. There was no resistance, I could simply rock it forwards or backwards with no effort at all, which suggests it's not attached to anything other than the pivot. This isn't correct, surely ?

It should turn the shaft inside along the head with 5 throttle flaps on , the bearings are plastic so could be a bit sloppy now or the shaft has snapped ?

[Semnoz]

Originally Posted by Clan

It should turn the shaft inside along the head with 5 throttle flaps on , the bearings are plastic so could be a bit sloppy now or the shaft has snapped ?

If the throttle flaps are very light, then I guess it might be OK. It doesn't look like a quick job to dismantle and have a look though....

[Joe Harding]

Originally Posted by Clan

you mean the short link rod that goes on the motor and swirl arm ball joints? If so , about £4 from a dealer .

No, the bit that attaches to the end of the swirl flap axle.