Cold Start Issues (update 24-02)

[Insight G40]

Over the last couple of months my 3.0D has had issues starting in the morning when cold.

It had got to the point where I have to crank it for 20 seconds or so a couple of time, before it starts on the third of fourth attempt.

However today, it refused to start and drained the battery requiring a jump to start it.

I did think it might be due to the lack of long journeys, as the car is not used for commuting, but I've been doing longer trips this week.
Wondering if 18 months of predominantly local mileage, done less than 10k in since I bought it, has led to the demise of the battery.

I'm thinking it is probably the battery, but are there any other likely culprits? Would you recommend replacing the battery as a start?

Looking at this, seems to meet the requirements
http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/varta-h3.html

Did a search on the forum, and saw reference to battery needing to be coded to the car, does this apply for the E53 or can I just swap it out?

[X5Sport]

E53 is a straight swap out.

Have you had your glowplugs checked to see if they are working?  A cold Diesel engine on a frosty morning will struggle without the plugs working correctly.  If the plugs gave recently been changed, then the controller may have failed too.

As long as the battery dimensions match an '019' type (that's the design standard) it will fit.  Remember to also connect the vent pipe at the same time.  This vents charging gases - mainly hydrogen - overboard and often gets forgotten about.  That Varta battery looks about right although I may have missed an 019 reference in the dimensions spec.  Electrically it's fine.

[Insight G40]

No, not had them checked? Not been replaced in my ownership, and no paperwork to suggest this happened before I bought it.

Reason I think battery is that it jumps started first time.

[henrym3]

If as you suggested you have been churning it over for 20secs a couple of times recently you will certainly have reduced the battery's capacity. Once started and run does it start ok when warm, if so, my first port of call would be getting the glow plugs checked out. I'm sure a code reader would confirm if they are faulty.

[Insight G40]

It only has issues first time I start it each day, even if I drive mile or two before stopping, it restarts without issue, first time, every time.

[X5Sport]

That's what I would expect with a diesel.  As soon as there is any warmth in the engine the fuel will fire under compression.  Glowplugs are typically needed at 5°C or less, and the colder you go the more you need them, but only the first start of the day.

It's when the whole thing is stone cold that the lack of heat makes it harder to get that initial fire going.  It's also why cold Diesel engines emit a puff of smoke on first start - no firing so unhurt fuel.  Hence diesels being fitted with glowplugs to encourage that first 'bang' in each cylinder.

If the plugs are original I suspect you may have lost most, or all by now.  Often losing plugs causes the controller to die too, so worth checking both.

[Insight G40]

Thanks for the info.

Assume that I'll need a fault code reader to check the glow plugs and controller.

How hard is it to change the glow plugs?
I'm a pretty competent with the spanners, but I'm more used to early 90's petrol VW's, and never worked on a diesel, or anything this new, aside from fitting a Westfalia tower and swapping summer and winter wheels.

[Alan Gunn]

I have just fitted this battery to my x5 3.0d.
They now have 6 years guarantee not 5.
http://www.autosessive.com/products/561 ... ar-battery

[grumpywurzel]

According to my scanner I have 4 duff glow plugs and touch wood I haven't had an issue starting mine in the 3 yrs apart from  when my battery fell on its arse.

Must get around to having them changed I guess,  I have seen pics on here somewhere of someone doing the plugs and it looked more like open heart surgery!

[ianst0028]

as a recipient of open heart surgery ...... i'd definitely rather change glow plugs on an x5 ...... at least with the x5 you dont cut your way through the bonnet  ) )

[henrym3]

ianst0028, I laughed when I read that, glad you retained your sense of humour.
InsightG40, Sorry I can't offer any decent advice on changing X5 glow plugs, changed plenty on other cars, but don.t know what needs removed to get at the X5 ones.

[grumpywurzel]

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1106.0.html

Not sure if this thread helps? Yeah I don't fancy heart surgery either!

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Insight G40"]
Over the last couple of months my 3.0D has had issues starting in the morning when cold.

It had got to the point where I have to crank it for 20 seconds or so a couple of time, before it starts on the third of fourth attempt.

However today, it refused to start and drained the battery requiring a jump to start it.

I did think it might be due to the lack of long journeys, as the car is not used for commuting, but I've been doing longer trips this week.
Wondering if 18 months of predominantly local mileage, done less than 10k in since I bought it, has led to the demise of the battery.

I'm thinking it is probably the battery, but are there any other likely culprits? Would you recommend replacing the battery as a start?

Looking at this, seems to meet the requirements
http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/varta-h3.html

Did a search on the forum, and saw reference to battery needing to be coded to the car, does this apply for the E53 or can I just swap it out?
[/quote]

Do you know hold old the battery is. Six years or so is about the normal lifespan. If you change it then get one that comes with a guarantee (you will need to keep the receipt for any claim), and ideally stick with a good name Bosch ExidecVarta etc. Ive heard of Bosch having had some quality issues recently but as long as you have the receipt you can claim a new one (ive done it successfully before). But ......if you. Elieve the driving style ie short distances contributed to the demise of the battery then get yourself a battery conditioner. I have an 8 stage CTEK conditioner and it is great for keeping the battery in excellent condition.
A battery that is on the way out will start to cause other electrical problems, so even if it is the glow plugs (and concontroller), then consider changing the battery anyway.
Smee

[jonnyivy]

I recently had this problem too,...used to flatten my new battery slow cranking in the mornings. Diagnostics showed 1,2,3,&4 glow plugs were out so I took the inlet manifold off (half hour job) and fitted new ones,... unfortunately never made any differance. Next was suggested fitting new glow-plug controller, although it is recommended to again take off the inlet manifold you can indeed work it out through the numerous pipes and hoses if you are carefull with inlet manifold in place. I did this and although it stopped the small amount of grey smoke on start-up there was still the sluggish starting on the colder mornings. I took some advise off the members of this forum and stuck a brand new starter on it,..... bingo !!!,... starts within milli-seconds,... freezing cold mornings is just a 3-4 second pause to allow glow-plugs to warm up and then it just bursts into life.
Its cost a few bob to get it right with new glows / control box / brand new exide battery and starter motor,...but well worth it,..all easy enough for a competent DIY er by the roadside !!

Hope that helps you bud,

Jonny

[X5Sport]

It's worth getting a starter check done as there is a known problem with Magnettii Marelli made starters.  The check is simple enough to get done by a competent auto-electrician using a current clamp.  If the starter is drawing much more than 180A then it is suspect.  I have had two done.  One drew over 900A and the other 550A.  Both were replaced with Bosch units.  It took a BMW dealer multiple attempts to find the faulty one on the E53 but the E46 one I found (and replaced) myself.