e53 M57 3.0d 2006 intermittent starting

[Titan4.8iS]

I know this post is a bit old, and you may not even come round here anymore...

But I too have been dealing with the same issue (even down to the low pressure readings off the sensor being the same values...)

I've found by unplugging the pressure sensor off the front of the common rail that the indicated pressure value and target value both set to 400bar and the truck fired straight up.

I've been reading around the last few days about people having similar issues and going down the injector leak down testing route to establish leaky injectors too....

I've noticed on mine, if i let the truck sit for a while and then start it, it's quite heavy on diesel fumes and gasses out the back, so the leaky injector path is my next place to start looking.

I'm not sure how that would play into the fact of the low pressure on crank apart from them leaking that badly they don't allow pressure to build up at all...

I may have two separate issues at play here, one being leaky injectors leading to the smoke on start-up
And two being the pressure sensor off the rail being faulty.

Just thought I'd give you some information from my own experiences of dealing with this same issue...

[AUSBMX]

Good reminder to post an update!

It turns out my issue was the low pressure fuel pump intermittently failing - diagnosed by just hitting it with a socket extension (you can -just- access it through a small hole in the shroud) during a period where it wouldn't start (or pump fuel out the quick connector), and it whirred into life. Ended up pulling it apart, and the brushes were worn down so the springs weren't providing the required preload for a good connection. New fuel pump installed, and haven't had an issue since.

Good luck with your issue!

[wpoll]

Thanks to you both for the additional information - follow-ups on issues like this can be a life-saver for someone...

And well done to Clavurion for picking the likely fault early on!

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by AUSBMX

Good reminder to post an update!

It turns out my issue was the low pressure fuel pump intermittently failing - diagnosed by just hitting it with a socket extension (you can -just- access it through a small hole in the shroud) during a period where it wouldn't start (or pump fuel out the quick connector), and it whirred into life. Ended up pulling it apart, and the brushes were worn down so the springs weren't providing the required preload for a good connection. New fuel pump installed, and haven't had an issue since.

Good luck with your issue!

Is that the fuel pump near the fuel filter? Was it difficult to replace?

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by deepblonde

Is that the fuel pump near the fuel filter? Was it difficult to replace?

Yes it's near fuel filter. Worth renewing the filter at the same time if you change the pump. The pump itself is quite easy to change. Removing the plastic bottom covering is the time consuming part. Make sure you have new hose clamps (preferably stainless) to replace the original ones.

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Yes it's near fuel filter. Worth renewing the filter at the same time if you change the pump. The pump itself is quite easy to change. Removing the plastic bottom covering is the time consuming part. Make sure you have new hose clamps (preferably stainless) to replace the original ones.

Thank you;
My only issue is my e53 takes longer to start than my e70; a longer crank .
Even cold , my e70 will fire after cranking for only one second.
I know the e70 has more modern piezo injectors ; but it’s made me notice how long it takes my e53 ( about 3 or 4 seconds cranking when dead cold. Hot start is faster.)
So , In my e53 , I’ve changed the fuel filter, glow plugs ( but I didn’t change the glow plug controller) I fitted a new injector, and dismantled and cleaned the other injectors;
But no change.
I’m thinking I should change the controller and maybe the inline pump in case it’s just tired . And maybe the starter motor ?

[andrewwynn]

Long crank diesel e53 is almost always the starter.

I've seen at least a dozen threads, only maybe two weren't the starter.

Get an amp reading at start and see what the current is: I think it's supposed to be about 250A. I've seen over 400!

Usually people first replace the battery and it will start much faster they think they resolved the problem until the starter pulling 50-100% more current is killing the battery.

If not the starter it will be a good data point to consider options.

I haven't worked on diesels or done any work on high pressure fuel pumps yet (though both mine and wife's cars both have them (gas not diesel). The hpfp is very pricy, hope it's not that.

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Long crank diesel e53 is almost always the starter.

I've seen at least a dozen threads, only maybe two weren't the starter.

Get an amp reading at start and see what the current is: I think it's supposed to be about 250A. I've seen over 400!

Usually people first replace the battery and it will start much faster they think they resolved the problem until the starter pulling 50-100% more current is killing the battery.

If not the starter it will be a good data point to consider options.

I haven't worked on diesels or done any work on high pressure fuel pumps yet (though both mine and wife's cars both have them (gas not diesel). The hpfp is very pricy, hope it's not that.

I replaced the starter with a Bosch and it’s a million times better!

I’d already replaced starter with the same original Denso BMW years ago but it was always slow cranking.
It was difficult to find a Bosch that fit ; and I had to drill out the hole for the locating pin to make it fit . It bursts into life almost instantly!

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by deepblonde

I replaced the starter with a Bosch and it’s a million times better!

I’d already replaced starter with the same original Denso BMW years ago but it was always slow cranking.
It was difficult to find a Bosch that fit ; and I had to drill out the hole for the locating pin to make it fit . It bursts into life almost instantly!

Was that replaced Denso a used part or brand new original?

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Was that replaced Denso a used part or brand new original?

Refurbished. Actually my ‘new’ Bosch has ‘remanufactured in China’ printed on it , so I was initially disappointed as I thought it was going to be new , as I’ve seen new Bosch starters advertised as made in Hungary or made United Arab Emirates .
But everything on the outside looks brand new , the body appears completely new and I can’t imagine that it had ever been put on a car before as the hole for the locating pin needed to be just a fraction larger .

In the photo the pin has to go into the smaller of the two holes and it would not , even when I tried to force it in by tightening the bolts .
But I’m happy as it starts lightening fast , I hope it lasts in my E53 .