Long crank on cold start

[DBE]

The battery solution seems to have solved my misfire and code throwing but the starts are still dodgy.....

[MLOREY]

ive had this issue on and off for about a year - i also had the car diagnosed by BM Autoworks in Melbourne, they couldnt find anything either.

It does seem to happen somewhat randomly but in general when it is cold and/or the car has been left idle for a few days.

A few times it has been very close to not ticking over by the sounds of things...

Stumped.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by EarthboundMisfit

Updated the first post.

Have considered a new starter?

[DuaneTh]

Here is a link to mine. This one was particularly bad.

Manual E92 '07 build, bearings have been replaced. Just started this about a month ago.

I am going to test a theory the problem is worse when my fuel levels are low. I had no issue on a full tank of Shell 98 and then it slowly returned. I know it is a long shot but I will see.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by DuaneTh

Here is a link to mine. This one was particularly bad.

Manual E92 '07 build, bearings have been replaced. Just started this about a month ago.

I am going to test a theory the problem is worse when my fuel levels are low. I had no issue on a full tank of Shell 98 and then it slowly returned. I know it is a long shot but I will see.

Oh boy!

Have any of you got aftermarket air filter like BMC, K&N etc?

[DBE]

Originally Posted by DuaneTh

Here is a link to mine. This one was particularly bad.

Manual E92 '07 build, bearings have been replaced. Just started this about a month ago.

I am going to test a theory the problem is worse when my fuel levels are low. I had no issue on a full tank of Shell 98 and then it slowly returned. I know it is a long shot but I will see.

I've also noticed the problem is worse with low fuel
Bad low pressure fuel sensor ?

[American Dave]

yikes that's terrible

[CooLeh7]

I wonder if its to do with the priming of the fuel line prior to starting. If fuel line not pressurised could cause delay in engine availability to start.....

[MFKN3]

Originally Posted by CooLeh7

I wonder if its to do with the priming of the fuel line prior to starting. If fuel line not pressurised could cause delay in engine availability to start.....

Mine was checked and no problem

[EarthboundMisfit]

Originally Posted by MFKN3

Mine was checked and no problem

Same here.

Received a revised ECU file from BPM overnight, but no change.

Next thought is coils and plugs. Plugs aren't old, but I'll swap the lot and see what happens.

[DuaneTh]

Fuel theory busted, was a long shot anyway

I had thought plugs and coils too. Mine were done 3 years ago 70k klm.

[cplagz]

Mine has stopped doing it after a new battery. Plugs are due to be done soon (55,000km ODO). I have noticed with the M3World exhaust start up is nicer if I close the valves prior to starting, seems to struggle a bit more without some exhaust backpressure? I also changed my start routine that I power (Ignition 2) on first instead of just jumping in and foot on brake + press start button.

[DBE]

Originally Posted by cplagz

Mine has stopped doing it after a new battery. Plugs are due to be done soon (55,000km ODO). I have noticed with the M3World exhaust start up is nicer if I close the valves prior to starting, seems to struggle a bit more without some exhaust backpressure? I also changed my start routine that I power (Ignition 2) on first instead of just jumping in and foot on brake + press start button.

Would be interesting to know how many of the owners having the problem have done the primary cat delete

[DuaneTh]

Mine is stock except bearing replacement.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by DBE

Would be interesting to know how many of the owners having the problem have done the primary cat delete

I have primary cat delete but no issues.

[DBE]

I think we can say that theory is busted

[fontana302]

I had that problem with Akropovik X-Pipe as well as standard. I reckon I could hear the bearings rattling it took that long too start..... I only had 8000km on it when I sold it. That was one of the reasons I got rid of it, as it was getting worse & I couldn't find an issue. Car probably only got driven once a month & was continuously on trickle charger, so forget the battery fable as well.

[tony3211]

I had the same problem. Bone stock with only 15K kms on the clock. It coincided with filling up the night before so I knew it was fuel related. Car only started rough with a long crank. Once warmed up and idle settled it drove like a champ, it also only happened after the first start in the morning.

Emptied the tank, put a full tank of v-power and problem totally gone. I have a before and after vid will post it when I get a chance.

[MFKN3]

Nothing like a long crank on a cold morning.

Wonder if this problem is limited to Australia. I use different fuels and it doesn't make any difference.

[aussiem3]

Like bearing failures are predominantly seen in NA, we have cold start issues bugging Australian cars. What's next ... E9x Gen M3s are a ticking bomb?

[EarthboundMisfit]

Originally Posted by MFKN3

Nothing like a long crank on a cold morning

Sometimes, the longer the better...

[Ski1]

no probs now for me - I turn my lights off for start in cold weather. Fixed