hard start problem!!!!!!!

MESTRE · #1 10-13-2009, 12:18 AM

I've been having a problem with my 2002 x5 4.4i, it has a hard time starting for the first time everyday, I have already replaced all the spark plugs, fuel filter, and battery...

If I remove the plug on the throttle body, it will start, but it starts in "ENGINE FAIL SAFE PROGRAM", then for the rest of the day it will start fine, until the next day it all happens again, I have removed the throttle body to clean, and noticed oil in the INTAKE MANIFOLD, after reading a lot of threads here I thought of checking the oil separator valve, and upon removing it, I noticed that the lower hose, that goes to the return pipe was already broken off completely...

I would like to know if anyone has any information on this problem or ever had a similar problem and how it was solved???

I appreciate all replies and comments.

killcrap · #2 10-13-2009, 08:26 AM

did you check if there is any oil in the engine? cuz there is supposed to be! same idea with the intake. if the return hose is broken, you have a vaccum leak. if your crank case vent valve diaphram is torn, and its the original, replace all the hoses and the valve. and reseal the intake manifold.

MESTRE · #3 10-13-2009, 08:57 AM

Engine has oil, on normal level, last oil change was done after spark plugs were replaced, about 2 months ago roughly 2k miles. I have not removed the ccv yet, had to stop working on it yesterday, and today is a crappy rainy day, and car is outside.
basically I was wondering if I'm on the right track or if there is something else I should check for, what else could cause this problem??

Thanx for reply.

Isambard · #4 10-25-2009, 08:51 AM

Funny, I have just stumbled on your post while I was looking for info on the oil separator hoses, and your problem is how I started my discovery of the defective hoses!!!

In response to your question, I had problems starting, not everday like you, but every now and again, particularly when the engine was hot. I got it diagnosed by an indy, and it turns out the camshaft sensor was defective on bank 2 (I have a 4.4). I have changed the sensor and she fires up everytime without fail, and no more jerkiness when cold. I discovered both my hoses were a goo-like mess when I changed the sensor!! And so I am here now...

hope this is of SOME use to you

MESTRE · #5 10-25-2009, 04:52 PM

Hey thanks for the reply!! I'm glad you got yours fixed, I actually found the problem on mine and It looks like it has been fixed, I actually had tested camshaft sensors and crankshaft sensor, all the relays, fuel pump and just about everything else you can imagine, I had never thought that the spark plugs which I had replaced only about two months ago were the problem, I read a lot about the plugs and everybody seems to condemn the BOSCH platinum +4, and they are what I had...
Anyways I decided to check the plugs once again, and turned out they were looking very bad, a couple of the actually had the center electrode loosened inside the plug itself, so I went to the parts store and got the cheapest NGK's 2.49 each, gaped them to between .028 in. and .032 in. put them in and can started, let it run for a while to charge the battery which had gone dead after so many tries of starting it, car ran fine, warmed up normally....
Turned it off after about 10 mins and tried to start, car started right up, I think I finally nailed this one, haven't taken it on the street yet though, I had broken the sucking jet pump when removing one of the hoses and glued it back with some strong glue I got, even though it has no impact on the way the car runs it set the traction control and abs lights on, so I want to get this fixed before going on the road with it, might do it this week.

Well once again thanks everyone and I hope this experience may help someone in the future, and if you ask what I have learned from it, " Stay AWAY from the bosch platinum +4". After I get some miles on these plugs I'll let everyone know what they feel like.

2002 X5 4.4i 120k miles.

MESTRE · #6 10-26-2009, 11:29 AM

Well just to do a quick update on the abs and dsc lights issue, I took the car on the road today to check how it ran without replacing the sucking jet pump, and actually the lights went away before I even left the driveway, I guess the sensors just needed to get a full rotation of the wheels to adjust everything, I had been lifting the car on the jack and taking out fuses, so I think it messed with the records a little, so I will postpone the replacement of jet pump valve a little further.
Other than that I just need to get some miles on these plugs to really test them out.

2002 x5 4.4i

m5james · #7 10-26-2009, 12:47 PM

You still should have gotten the NGK Iridiums @ $8 vs the stealership priced ones@ $25. While those cheaper NGK's you got are doing the job, I think you're going to need to replace them again after you do some more driving. I'm just guessing, but you're probably going to feel a loss in power since you used the cheapest base NGK's you could get instead of getting the cheapest NGK Iridiums you could get.

Keep us posted.