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Hello, my gf has just bought a 2.2 HDi executive estate- ex airport/taxi car so millions of miles but runs well.

Just doing a standard service on it and I noticed there's an actuator/linkage rod of some kind that connects to the top right of the engine(looking towards the engine from the front of the car), next to the corrugated bit of air-box pipe and the plastic engine cover. It disappears downwards behind the engine -It has a plastic socket moulded to the end of the rod which is broken so it won't connect to the metal ball/flap assembly on the side of the engine. Can anyone help with what this linkage is/does and how essential it is?

I've enclosed a pic with the location... cheers!

I think it is part no. "1180 J6", "Re-suction pipe", part of the "oil filler decanting unit", i.e. the crankcase ventilation system.

I think you're describing the swirl flap actuator, (used to blank off half the inlet valves at low engine speed). From your description the end has snapped off the rod.

The part is described as a diaphragm, I believe see this post: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24471&p=246006&hili ... ap#p246006

Normal operation is all 8 valves open/rod extended with engine stopped, start engine, rod retracts, rev to over 2100 RPM, rod extends. (Frequently the diaphragm splits and messes up the vacuum system). If you can rotate the swirl flap spindle to the all-valves-open position, it'll run fine without it.
(I don't use mine since fitting the 6=speed 'box as it's virtually always below 2100 RPM).

Hi, welcome.
Yes, sounds like the little black end has broken off the swirl flap actuator rod - it's not a separate part so you would need to replace the whole thing which is about £20 on eBay.
The swirl flap is as Doggy says rests in its closed position - and without the actuator moving the arm then you are only using 8 valves even at higher revs.
Truthfully, I didn't really notice when mine was broken, and I couldn't really tell the difference when it was fixed either..
It's worth testing to see if the rod is pushed up when you rev the engine - as if it doesn't then there may be a split in the diaphragm - which may affect the rest of the vacuum system (turbo, EGR etc) and throw up a fault.

Thanks to all, very helpful knowing what this part is actually for!

I think I'll opt to fix it as I like everything working as it should

Now just to get the dreaded 'anti pollution fault' light off...