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Emergency
KNOWN FAULT · BMW

Intake swirl flaps (M47)

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

Engine / equipment
M47TU 2.0 diesel with swirl flaps (318d/320d E46 from 2001, 118d/120d E87, 320d E90 and 520d E60 until 2007, X3 2.0d)
Period mentioned
2001–2007
Symptoms
Loss of power, smoke or knocking, often with no prior warning: one of the flaps comes loose and drops into the cylinder.
Possible cause described
The small swirl flaps in the intake manifold work loose with vibration and can break off into the cylinder, damaging the piston, valves and turbo. BMW strengthened the flaps in 2006.
Check for the garage
Check whether they have already been removed or replaced with blanking plugs and inspect the intake manifold.
Cost cited in the source
€4,000–6,000 if the failure damages the engine; prevention costs far lessA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Has this happened to you?

Anonymous answer, no personal data.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to repair this fault?

€4,000–6,000 if the failure damages the engine; prevention costs far less

A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Calculate estimate
How is it checked?

Check whether they have already been removed or replaced with blanking plugs and inspect the intake manifold.

What are the symptoms?

Loss of power, smoke or knocking, often with no prior warning: one of the flaps comes loose and drops into the cylinder.

Which cars and years does it affect?
Brands
BMW
Engine / equipment
M47TU 2.0 diesel with swirl flaps (318d/320d E46 from 2001, 118d/120d E87, 320d E90 and 520d E60 until 2007, X3 2.0d)
Period mentioned
2001–2007

Taking it to a garage?

Find garages near you and, before you say yes, check whether the quote is reasonable.

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