Here we go again - Starter just cranks but no fire in cold weather

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Other issues that could cause the cold start problem.

You could have an injector leaking. Next time it happens try holding the accelerator to the floor. That shuts off the injectors and puts in a cold flooding mode.

It could also be a coolant temp sensor that is sending wrong message. The result would be an improper air/fuel mix.

How do these silly links happen, like the one if you click on the work injectors above when I didn't put them in?

[dannyx5is]

holding down the accelerator is how I have been getting it started,does this mean I have a fuel injector leak?

[bcredliner]

No, not necessarily. I agree that you should have a fuel pressure test done. The test should include letting the engine run so you can see the operating pressure. Then shut off the engine. The gauge should drop a little and then hold steady. If it continues to drop for 5-10 seconds you will eliminate several of the potential causes.

[Doru]

Roadkill, try to contact Fmugur - he's a member of this board. I am pretty much sure he had the same problem as you a few years back (we were talking about this for a few weeks - it was driving him nuts), checked with dealership & indy's (they had no clue), but in the end he figured out the problem. I can't recall right now what it was, but I am positive he can point you in the right direction. PM him

[Roadkill]

Doru, you're a saint. Thanks for the heads up.

[switchman]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

This is the second N62 X5 that has done this to me. Only does it in cold weather (under 32deg F). The car fires up in the morning no prob. Drive it to operating temperature and then shut off the motor for 2-3 hours. It sits in the cold and when I come back to try and start it up, it just cranks and cranks and cranks. It finally fires up after about 20 seconds of this. Very frustrating. Any ideas?

My X5 is having quite similar problem except it does it in the morning. Cold morning starts just cranks the engine; letting it rest for awhile fires up the engine. Did this for 2 days, 3rd day did not start at all so i had it towed to dealer. Fuel pump was replaced.

Now, after 3 days having hard start again on cold mornings. Its starts after 3 attempts, i'm thinking does the fuel line need bleeding after fuel pump replacement ? I know its done with diesel but what about gas engine ?

Looking for advice before i call dealer again, more $$$ to spend on this.

[upallnight]

If holding down the accelerator allows the engine to start then your engine is flooded. I would look at the fuel pressure regulator. The diaphragm could be torn allowing extra gas from the fuel line to enter the intake manifold via the vacuum line attach to the fuel pressure regulator.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

How do these silly links happen, like the one if you click on the work injectors above when I didn't put them in?

VigLink

[TiAgX5]

And those links are not BMW specific. If you open one for a "fuel pump", it shows stuff like Summit Racing parts for 426 hemi engines.

[Doru]

Roadkill, I just had a chat with Fmugur, and as I said in the previous post, he had the EXACT symptom as yours. What happens is, over time one or more injectors are leaking, and it floods the engine (once you turn off the engine). If the car sits for a longer period of time time (i.e. : you turn off the engine in the evening, and you fire it up in the morning), the gas will evaporate, and the car will start fine. if it sits only a few minutes to 2-3 hours, the pressure inside the fuel rail will make the gas leak into the combustion chamber and the car will have a hard time to start. This was very hard to pinpoint - he hooked up a pressure tester, but it showed good pressure. Fmugur will chime in and will tell how to test it, but be ready to get a new set of injectors. You might be lucky and have only degraded O-rings, which is easy & cheap (relative) to replace.

Cheers