x5 3.0 diesel 05 cold starting

[mikebrown]

Hi all,

I have just bought this x5 3.0 diesel 05, and yesterday it was -5 deg c here. on turning the key The preheat message came on and the engine ran for 1 second then stopped. I tried 5 times to start it, finally it sputtered into life. Today it was 0 deg c and it started 1st time although with a rough run initially. This car has a warranty for 2 months and I want to make sure the cold start bits are working, could this be a preheat fault? any ideas if this is normal?

Many thanks

[powers1]

Originally Posted by mikebrown

Hi all,

I have just bought this x5 3.0 diesel 05, and yesterday it was -5 deg c here. on turning the key The preheat message came on and the engine ran for 1 second then stopped. I tried 5 times to start it, finally it sputtered into life. Today it was 0 deg c and it started 1st time although with a rough run initially. This car has a warranty for 2 months and I want to make sure the cold start bits are working, could this be a preheat fault? any ideas if this is normal?

Many thanks

Not normal!!
Could be your glow plugs in your pre-heating system.The glow plugs only need to come on at temperatures below freezing and this would explain why it started today.
Next time before you start it give it ,say 20 seconds before you crank it as this will help heat up the glow plugs more .
Having said this ,you X5 is too new to be needing glow plugs!Do you get white smoke exiting on the back when you start it first thing in the morning?
But since you have warranty,take it back and see what they say..then report here again

[ks1]

This is really interesting , my x5 54 plate has been experencing similar problems and was told that it may be one of the glow plug or more....

In regards with the white smoke first thing when car is started, i get this too ....

are we saying that , that is due to the glow starter ?? ny ideas.....would be appreciated !

[powers1]

Originally Posted by ks1

This is really interesting , my x5 54 plate has been experencing similar problems and was told that it may be one of the glow plug or more....

In regards with the white smoke first thing when car is started, i get this too ....

are we saying that , that is due to the glow starter ?? ny ideas.....would be appreciated !

Maybe!Just try and leave ignition on longer before yor crank it,like 20 secs,and have someone at the back check if it still smokes white...

[Makus]

hello, I have the same symptoms, glow plugs replaced but there is still a problem starting the engine when it is cold

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Makus

hello, I have the same symptoms, glow plugs replaced but there is still a problem starting the engine when it is cold

Did you also replace the glow plug controller (if LCI) or check the glow plug relay (if pre-LCI)?

Any codes from a proper BMW scanning tool (INPA, DIS, ISTA-D, BMW Scanner, etc.)?

[Makus]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Did you also replace the glow plug controller (if LCI) or check the glow plug relay (if pre-LCI)?

Any codes from a proper BMW scanning tool (INPA, DIS, ISTA-D, BMW Scanner, etc.)?

thanks for the quick reply, I didn't replace the controller and I have zero errors
For now i changed:
Glow plugs
Fuel filter
Fuel pump (next to filter)
And new battery

Do you think replace fuel pump in tank will change something ?

Thanks

[Makus]

just as they write in the post and answers, when the engine is cold, I will switch on the ignition and wait quite a long time or even repeat it 2-3 times, the car will start immediately, but day by day it is getting worse and for example this morning the car did not start, cranks but does not start, with the help of a friend who helped start the car on cables, engine fired without much problem but in the afternoon when it was warmer. that's why I'm wondering if maybe the fuel pump is nearing the end and there is no more power to supply fuel

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Makus

thanks for the quick reply, I didn't replace the controller and I have zero errors
For now i changed:
Glow plugs
Fuel filter
Fuel pump (next to filter)
And new battery

Do you think replace fuel pump in tank will change something ?

Thanks

When you say "zero errors", what are you using to read the DDE errors?

And if you car is LCI (born >09/2003) then the glow plug controller is known to fail more often than the glow plugs.... it's best to change the glow plug AND the glow plugs as a set on LCI cars... saves much work (removing the intake manifold again etc.).

Dunno about your fuel pump, sorry - not enough info. to make a guess.

Does it start OK when the temps are warmer?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Makus

just as they write in the post and answers, when the engine is cold, I will switch on the ignition and wait quite a long time or even repeat it 2-3 times, the car will start immediately, but day by day it is getting worse and for example this morning the car did not start, cranks but does not start, with the help of a friend who helped start the car on cables, engine fired without much problem but in the afternoon when it was warmer. that's why I'm wondering if maybe the fuel pump is nearing the end and there is no more power to supply fuel

Failing fuel pump would cause issues when running, not just with start up....