02 3.0i reverse to drive issue (cold weather)
 

It is getting cold out and I have noticed that when I let it warm up when I back out of the driveway as soon as I shift from reverse to drive the engine dies.

What should I be looking at on what could cause this?

It has a 4 month old battery in it and that doesn't seem to be the issue as it is holding a charge just fine.

Thanks,

Are you new to driving a manual transmission?

No I know how to drive a manual, But this X5 is an automatic :)

Definitely cold weather as this morning it was about 40 degrees and I didn't have any issue.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

Is your idle speed normal? Any roughness to it? You might check for an intake boot air leak.

2002 X5 3.0 241,000 miles
2004 325i 107,000 miles

You mentioned you let your X warm up before you back out of the driveway. Does it stall if you just jump in and go and does it stall any other times other when it is cold out--whatever cold is in MT. 40 in Dallas would be a new event. Any other symptoms?

It seems to only do it when it is cold outside below 40 and I let it warm up to defrost the windows. Back out of driveway come to a stop, shift to drive, boom engine dies.

If it is cold out but the windows are not frosted I can just get in and reverse/drive just fine. It has not ever stalled other than when it is cold as mentioned above.

I assume there are no other symptoms that may be associated?

Can you check for fault codes? That would be my first step. If no fault codes---

I would clean the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner. Very easy,inexpensive to do and a good idea to do once in a while because it is part of controlling fuel/air mixture and can be the source of problem you are having.

I would do have a pressurized smoke test for vacuum leaks after checking visually because vacuum leaks are frequent causes of engine issues. I seldom am lucky enough to hear or find a vacuum leak. A smoke test wipes that off the list or finds it.

Then I would check to see if the CCV hoses are clogged or restricted because the more miles driven the more likely it's happening.

There are other potential causes or approaches. I think these are a reasonable course toward pinpointing the problem and are easy on the budget.

Thanks for the ideas i'll take a look and report back.

It has been warm the last few days so I haven't had the issue happen.

Idle seems fine I don't notice any roughness at all. And I can't really tell if there is an RPM drop as the engine just dies so obviously there is an RPM drop (to zero) :)