Flap Removal
 

Found these pics id taken while removing my flap earlier this year so thought they might come in handy if anyone else wants to do the same.

Mine stopped working hence the reason it's now oot.

1st off find it, looks like this when closed ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...DSC_1572-1.jpg


Remove the electrical connector from the bottom of this and also from the one on the opposite side.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...L/DSC_3099.jpg


Remove the 3 allen screws from the side and pop the motor out (might take a little tug to get it free)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...L/DSC_3103.jpg


You can now manually rotate the flap to gain access to the retaining screws.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...L/DSC_3104.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...L/DSC_3105.jpg


Basically you just remove the 3 allen screws to release the flap from the spindle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...L/DSC_3107.jpg


Once done simply remove and store the flap and 3 screws in a safe place should you ever need to re-fit it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...L/DSC_3108.jpg


Rotate the spindle back into it's original position, refit the motor and plug back in the 2 electrical connectors.
This allows it to operate as normal (now and then as in my case)
Hope this helps.

Flap removal
 

Did it effect the performance or how well the engine runs a lower revs? I take it it makes it louder at low revs???

No effect at all just a little louder while pootling around, basically the CSL noise all the time.

Only removed it as it had the common intermediate fault with the motor pointothingiemijiggie.

What's with the uncovered yellow wire coming out of your Xenon control unit? :smt017

cool
 

Hmm, I might try it as the noise is addictive and Im worried about my licence! (having to nail it to get the sound)

Car originally had poverty lights ;) guessing it makes them work as the previous owner had them fitted.

Was about to ask this myself as my mate who has an E46 M3 didn't have the wee boots protecting the cables and fitted them afterwards. Might be an idea Paul. :thumbs: Just had a wee look for the part number but couldn't find it, thought it might have been an idea to cover it.

Baz,
That wire has annoyed me since day 1 :bigcry: :bigcry: :bigcry:

Was always going to get it covered but.......... well no excuses really :smt053:smt069

I'm on it now, it's bugging me now Paul....

Right, that's nipping my head. E-mail sent to mate to see if he's got the invoice for it. Sounds stupid I know, but we'll get it and it's easily enough sorted. :thumbs:

my theory is that the flap fails due to the flap getting stuck in the opening and the motor struggling against it

so if you take it out with flap working it shouldnt fail during that time - anybody confirm or deny being as mine has failed when in every year so far