TD4 Swirl Flaps and Blanking Plug Mod

Hi all,

Came across this interesting article, couldn't find owt in these threads and wondered if anyone has a better understanding, or may have done this mod?

Cheers, Mark

BMW M47 TUD20
Although an extremely well accomplished piece of engineering, the M47 TUD20 was not without it's flaws. A number of common failure points have been highlighted in the engines produced prior to the introduction of the M47 TU2D20, chief among which is 'swirl flap' mechanism employed within the inlet manifold. These consist of a number of butterfly valves within each individual inlet tract. These flaps are secured to an actuating rod via two small screws. It has become clear that over time these screws can come loose via vibration etc. When this happens they can end up being drawn into the respective cylinder, causing significant damage to piston, cylinder head and valves. If unlucky further damage can be caused to the turbo if the screw then makes its way through the exhaust valve into the manifold and subsequently into the turbo. These failures have occurred in such quantity that a number of specialist BMW magazines have featured articles on the problem including information on how to remove the swirl flaps. For those who wish to perform some preventive maintenance on the M47 TUD20 engine, there are companies who supply and/or fit blanking plugs to allow the removal of these swirl flaps altogether. Subsequent revisions of this engine involved the replacement of the mechanical method of securing these flaps by a one-piece moulded plastic flap.

Td4

Yes, this a catastrophe waiting to happen for unsuspecting owners of BMW E46 models with that engine. Also the 520D, I think.

In the Freelander 1 TD4 we have the BMW M47 R engine which was the same basic lump but designed for the FL1 and the Rover 75 / MG ZT range.

We don't have the pesky swirl-flaps - we have a variable vane Mitshubishi turbo which doesn't need such things.

The M47 R was never updated as the years went by and was produced in the same BMW engine plant in Steyr Austria as the other M47s for the BMW cars. (I have a relative who works in the factory)

There was a change to 1995cc around 2002 - but LandRover didn't get that increase either.

The engine code explains it:

BMW M47 D20 R the M47 is the basic design, D is diesel, 20 is the nominal capacity, and the R is for the Rover version, which was common-rail from day 1 - the BMW car did not have that technology originally.

The TU code in later versions was for Technical Update, making all versions common-rail.
TU2 was for Technical Update Two which was the last one, in which they changed the swirl-flaps.

So the bottom line is 'We ain't got no swirl-flaps'. Hooray!

Rest easy.

No worries for TD4 ... engine in this is M47R ..... not the M47 TU2 this stands for technical update 2 ..... where flaps were introduced to reduce emissions So no worries for old lumps!!! yes your richt for BM owners of 320d's this is a serious issue.

I'm back and smiling cheers guys

MJB said:

I'm back and smiling cheers guys

Click to expand...

I also have a TD4.Thank GOD that really cheered me alot Thanks everyone

At The risk of being shouted at for reopening an old thread! Does the freelander 2 TD4 have swirl flaps? and if so can they be removed?

Yes they do have swirl flaps on the 2.2

Not sure if they can be removed

Thanks td4van I wonder if there is another manifold that would fit?? More research to do then!

The FL2 TD4 has a completely different lump, being a Peugeot/Ford based design.

The TD4 moniker is a bit confusing, for the latest JLR vehicles such as the Evoke and Disco Sport still use it, but have completely different diesel lumps in their TD4 again. This time being the JLR design.