Sitting in the cold for 12+ hours = epic fail.

[guarnibl]

Guys --

Anyone else notice that when your car sits for a long time in the cold (< 35 degrees and 12 or more hours), that it will not start the first time? It acts like it's trying to start, and then just dies. The second attempt at starting it goes perfectly. Anyway, this is what's happening to me on a daily basis now. I bought the car with 2 miles on it and treated it properly through the break-in, and got the service right around 1200 miles.

I'm sort of assuming that there's just not enough fuel pressure in the beginning after sitting in the cold for that long. I've certainly seen this happen on other cars (My mustang does it -- I generally turn the key part way, let it sit until my fuel pressure gauge rises enough -- and then start it just fine). However, I'm not entirely sure if there's a similar way to do that in the M -- I guess I could just hit the button once, then wait 10 seconds, and then start. However, I haven't tried that yet.

Anyway -- just curious if anyone else has noticed this. My car is always garaged, but the garage is really cold =) Damn cars need a fuel pressure gauge in them =\

[xrayos]

could it be the oil?

[sparkyg]

nah, not oil.

Could be the fuel not being high enough vapour pressure.

As it gets colder fuel mixtures change and they add more light ends to get better cold weather starting.

Mine has started fine in 20 deg F weather but I never left it for 12 hours.

Could also be reduced pressure in the fuel lines and the first crank and the low vapur pressure fuel wasn't enough to light off.

[kronzprinz]

my car usually sits in the driveway over 18 hrs in this cold weather and starts right up every time...

[gemini330zhp]

Is your gas tank full??? I have had my car sit for a day or two or more and it starts fine. It has been in the 20s at night here. I would take it to the dealer and get it check out there was some posts on the fuel pump control module being replaced.

[eagletangogreen]

Mine does the same thing>>> but it start the second time.... it doesnt bother me hell its freaking cold out side.

[Ronin13]

No issues here.

[revmmm]

No problems here. I keep mine in the garage but it is still cold (-0C / 30F most mornings). I do normally hit the start button once to get the ignition and seats warming before I turn the car on as the garage fills with exhaust too quickly if I start it inside before I am ready to move it.

Now only if I had the heated steering wheel that is on my wife's X5.

[Eliminator]

Cold here and it sits for about 10 - 12 hrs when I work and park outside the office. Never had this happen yet. Tank has always been near full though...

[Big Windy]

mine sits 12 hours in 30 degree or colder weather every day while i'm at work. never had an issue with starting it at all, including both full and empty gas tanks. i get in and start up right away.

[Speedtrap]

Not a problem here either.....have it checked out...

[Blue0013]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

mine sits 12 hours in 30 degree or colder weather every day while i'm at work. never had an issue with starting it at all, including both full and empty gas tanks. i get in and start up right away.

Me too. No issues at all!

[414AW]

I've already begun to park my car for almost more than a week at times. Reason being that its winter here in Canada and it will snow and then melt within days. Temperatures have been below freezing at times even in my garage and my tank at varies levels...from full to less then half and I have never had ANY starting issues. Get it checked out!!!

[FStop7]

My E46 did this one time on a night when it was about 25 degrees in Atlanta. First time it cranked but didn't start. I waited 5 seconds and tried again and it started immediately. If it's happening a lot for you then you may as well get it checked out, better safe than sorry.

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

nah, not oil.

Could be the fuel not being high enough vapour pressure.

As it gets colder fuel mixtures change and they add more light ends to get better cold weather starting.

Mine has started fine in 20 deg F weather but I never left it for 12 hours.

Could also be reduced pressure in the fuel lines and the first crank and the low vapur pressure fuel wasn't enough to light off.

SparkyG, are you running yours in the winter?

[12:03]

garage much?

People without garages shouldnt be allowed to buy M3s

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by 12:03

garage much?

People without garages shouldnt be allowed to buy M3s

...

[NewM3driver]

My garage has heat (and hot water and drain) but the car has been out in the cold and starts perfectly every time.

Take it into the dealer, or at least call and talk to a tech.

Ask your dealer who the M specialist is in the service dept. Introduce yourself and treat him to lunch (give him a $20 tip) the next time he works on your car. When you have a question, call and talk to him. Once you develop a relationship, you will get much better service.

I have had a long relationship with my service guys. If I'm in a pinch in the winter I can always count on a safe wash and wax if I call ahead and drop by. Of course, we are lucky to have a great dealership... rated best overall in the COUNTRY by BMWna.

[spyderco10]

maybe your fuel is frozen?

[guarnibl]

I'm taking it to the dealer on Monday... something's really fucked up -- my oil level is already at 50% and I've only put ~2000 miles on it since the last service at 1500.

I'm assuming something's wrong though -- because it does it regardless of fuel level -- the car is always garaged, and I haven't even started beating on it yet Did the break in period properly too.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by spyderco10

maybe your fuel is frozen?

I live in Maryland -- not the Arctic

[armyav8tor]

Originally Posted by Blue0013

Me too. No issues at all!

me three, mine's been sitting for a week in the cold and it started right up yesterday.