I'm asking for a bit of help from those in the know about these things please. The orange rubber seal that sits inside the inlet air pipe to the turbocharger on the compressor side on my Sep 2007 Dooper is shot, it's split 2/3 of the way around. The part that I got from BMW, selected by me and the parts fella looking at the MINI drawing is very different, it's labelled as a swirl generator, although it sits in the right place on those drawings and it fits perfectly into the intake pipe and onto the turbo on the car The part number from the orange seal doesn't show up on the BMW OEM site, but when Googled came up of a French Citroen forum discussing the turbo/intake seal on the Picasso1.6 HDi, same engine (well that's what I think they were talking about!). Is the swirl generator an upgraded part or do I need to source an orange seal from somewhere? Thanks in advance.
No, it's not the swirl generator that you want, it's the Citroen part. Mini wants you to buy the entire intake piping section from the MAF to the turbo in order to get the little orange seal that is available here:
EDIT: I got curious about the swirl generator. Since my Mini is going in on Saturday for some work, I asked the dealership to order and install the swirl generator (not an expensive part). Apparently it is supposed to increase the turbocharger efficiency and decrease engine noise.
Okay, as promised I had the swirl generator installed today. I confirmed with the service tech that it's an upgraded part for the orange seal. It's made of a much harder plastic material. It's quite rigid, almost like a rigid kind of silicon. However, the fins are flexible and change angle with airflow. It's supposed to generate a swirl/vortex in the air that increases the momentum of the compressor vanes, thereby increasing turbo efficiency. It's quite sturdy so I have very little fear of anything breaking off and being ingested by the turbo.
It's supposed to improve turbocharger efficiency/performance and produce a quieter engine. I've driven about 75km with it today, various ups and downs, highway, etc... First impression is that it does increase the response of the car a little bit and definitely there is an increase in the pull in the lower revs. Not much difference in the higher end range I would say. Nothing major but for the price you can't go wrong.
Also, engine is quite noisy by nature, but I have to say it's slightly quieter under full acceleration. Not much, but definitely a little.
Probably the best bit is that I was charged €2.45 for the part and it is sold separately from the intake piping making replacement a cinch. It seems to grip the turbo inlet better than the orange rubber as well. I expect that it won't lead to the notorious splitting issue with the current orange seals.
Couple of photos attached. Happy to answer any questions.
Part number is: 13 71 7 807 061
Part name (in German) is: Drallerzeuger (even sounds cool!). English name is "swirl generator".
Sorry, this has confused me.
I have a diesel engine Cooper.
Should I not use the model code R56? uzzled:
Can anyone send me a link for where I can buy one in UK/Europe?
Sorry for any confusion. The part will fit your diesel engine Cooper. The model code is irrelevant and the swirl generator with the above part number will fit both R55 and R56 Mini's.
I ordered mine through an authorized dealer. I have not seem them available on the internet. Took 1 or 2 days for the dealer to get it and cost me just under 3 euros. Installing it is really easy.
Hi, I refitted the swirl generator after I originally replaced the orange seal and I agree. I think the engine is a little less 'roary', it seems smoother and i think the consumption has improved slightly...I could of course be just kidding myself but for less than a fiver it's worth a go and very simple to swap.
cheers
I finally found someone selling the 'swirl seal' online and ordered one.
I only renewed the standard seal two months ago, but I'm curious about the swirl one.
Given that it's cheap and so easy to fit, no harm giving it a go.
I'll report back any difference.
Swirl seal received and fitted last night.
First impression is that it makes the engine quieter, I've no idea how, but it does.
Second impression is that I would say I have LESS low down power, but the power is more progressive.
With the old seal, I would say there was more low down shove, but the shove then tailed off quickly.
I would say the new seal gives a more progressive power delivery.
hi, having just bought a 2007 cooper Diesel and seen your post, i have now purchased the swirl generator and wondered if it is fitted the same wayas the orange seal is done like you have posted on the thread. just me making sure which way it goes. probably obvious when i do it but thought i would ask
hi again sorry for not replying much earlier than planned. been working all the time lol.
anyways, have got it fitted now and there is increased performance at the bottom range and fuel consumption has gone down considerably. I have noticed however, at the top end of the spectrum, the top speed is now only 110 mph. could be other factors of the car but this wouldnt effect it that much would it?
mine is the first of the next generation cars i believe, april 2007 so am assuming its a 108 bhp engine and only does an average of 50.8mpg although not done a proper run as yet so the tally goes up and down all the time.
an update on the swirl generator upgrade. now had it fitted for awhile and it seems to have improved the take off and also combined with fitting a K and N filter, has improved the miles per gallon by 2.4 so now getting an average of 53.2 mpg. one question though, I seem to get a lot more soot deposits on top of the metal casing just after the connection. is this normal road use or something more?
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