X3 2.0D late 2006 cold start issue (glow plugs replaced)

[jarv75]

Hi,
I've inherited the good wife's e83, having sold on my 4.2L V8 mid-life crisis, and with it some cold start issues.

Basically, on cold start it takes a few attempts to get going. It appears to crank and start ok but quickly cuts out after a second or so. I thought it was just old glow plugs (vehicle is 80K miles), but having changed them the problem still persists. When warm or slightly warm it starts completely fine.

The only fault via my generic OBD2 reader is "P1247 turbo boost pressure low" which I'm kinda assuming isn't related.

Would a fault with the glow plug control unit relay generate any faults? I don't really want to replace things willy nilly (like I've just done with glow plugs  ::)

My gut feeling is something fuel related, but the filter was replaced reasonably recently and I'm assuming a fault with fuel pump would also have generated some faults.

Any thoughts?

[kkx5]

Control unit/ relay will generate an error.

[jarv75]

[quote="kkx5"]
Control unit/ relay will generate an error.
[/quote]

Ok, thanks, maybe I can rule that one out then. Do you know if fuel pump/pressure issues would generate an error?

[Alan Gunn]

Sounds like a problem i had some time ago and it was a fuel pipe seal letting air in the system over night.

[jarv75]

[quote="Alan Gunn"]
Sounds like a problem i had some time ago and it was a fuel pipe seal letting air in the system over night.
[/quote]

Interesting, do you know whereabouts the leak was?

[Alan Gunn]

It was on the fuel filter but your car is not the same setup as mine.
My filter is on the left of the engine under the bonnet.

[jarv75]

Ok thank you.

[jarv75]

Bought a newer scanner and hey presto a bunch of previously unseen faults appear, including the glow plug relay which at least explains the problem.

Looks a pita job due to location.

[jagr]

Glow plug controller location

[jarv75]

Thanks for this, I think my engine might be a bit different to the one pictured. I've got a coolant inlet/outlet right under the intake ports and the oil filter and dipstick are in different positions.

In that location, I just do have a bunch of cables and connectors, but no controller!  :blink:

[jagr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQn5J47ElwU