I'm in a flap

[rstoughy]

Genuine question here,

Now i have spent the morning going through all the flap releated posts on here and would like to know if its ok to run without it?

last night i noticed the car was a little quiet when giving it some hoof so once home got the missus to jump in and give it a good old rev up to 5K.

No flap operation seen with sport on or off.

Now the mechanic that done my Insp II the other week commented that there was a fault code there but it was operating fine at the time of the service. He also said (as most do) if it stops working again just whip it off.

So if i remove it will the engine blow it's headgasket into 1000's of bits, spit the crankshaft out through the watter pump and smash the SMG box to bits or...... will it just be fine as long as i dont drive through any swollen rivers?

opinions please

[Dan]

Paul, I know Rob runs without his and he does a lot of miles without issues, I'm sure other's do too, I think it will be fine mate

[glendog74]

If still under warranty get BMW to repair the actuator motor. Then remove it!

[rstoughy]

Yeah thats what i thought Dan, can't see any difference running it without one other than the noise as the engine will only suck as much air as it needs.

Rob,
No warranty on the car, it's +60K now so have been to scared to price it up this year

Flap will be off within the hour

[glendog74]

Mine has been off for almost 2 years with no problem. Only side affect is that air filter element gets dirtier a little quicker with the flap removed.

[Dan]

Just a quick one, when does the flap usually open, I thought it was above 6.2k normally and from 3k upwards in Sport mode?

[SpineOnABap]

No difference without it. I ran without for about 100 years. Infact now you've mentioned it, and I've sold the car, I realise the flap is still in the garage on a shelf

There used to be some nonsense going around that without it the engine would be "getting too much air"

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by SpineOnABap

and I've sold the car, I realise the flap is still in the garage on a shelf

when!?!

[rstoughy]

Originally Posted by glendog74

Mine has been off for almost 2 years with no problem. Only side affect is that air filter element gets dirtier a little quicker with the flap removed.

Thought that might be the case so an air filter at the same time as the oil change between service intervals is on the cards.

Originally Posted by Dan

Just a quick one, when does the flap usually open, I thought it was above 6.2k normally and from 3k upwards in Sport mode?

Dan, mechanic at BMW told me anything above 4500rpm and it should open. I took it he was meaning with sport on.

Originally Posted by SpineOnABap

There used to be some nonsense going around that without it the engine would be "getting too much air"

hmmmmm need a bigger hole in the bumper for that i'm affraid

[Dan]

Originally Posted by rstoughy

Thought that might be the case so an air filter at the same time as the oil change between service intervals is on the cards.




Dan, mechanic at BMW told me anything above 4500rpm and it should open. I took it he was meaning with sport on.




hmmmmm need a bigger hole in the bumper for that i'm affraid

Am I missing something or is there actually any point in running the flap? What's it's advantage when it's working?