X3 starting issue.

[mrsimian]

Hi Guys.

Wonder if anyone could shed any light on my X3 starting issue? I have the 3.0i 2004 X3 and it seems a few weeks ago I started to get an occasional starting issue. The car has not failed to start yet, but it seems to be taking longer to crank (as in normally you turn the key and it fires up, but when the issue occurs it turns over a few times 6-7 and then fires). Just to rule one thing out straight away, I always turn the key to the first position to let the fuel pump prime for about 5-10 seconds then attempt to start the car.

It is really odd because the car is fine once it is started, idle is good as is performance. I am trying to figure out exactly when this happens because I had BMW look whilst they were going the MOT and couldn't replicate the issue (nor are any error codes being logged). What seems to happen is in the morning the car will usually start fine (think it has had trouble once or twice) but once I get to work and leave it (a 40 min drive) for the day when I come back 8/10 times it will take longer to crank. It is left in the sun as there are no shaded spots and the car does get very hot, so I was wondering if this was a factor at all.

I am pretty sure it is not the starter motor because there is no hesitation on the start, it just takes longer to catch. I would doubt it would be the battery because it would surely be a bit more consistent and I would have noticed other battery related issues (although I don't know how old the battery in this car is).

Reading some forum, people seem to talk about a fuel pressure regulator. Does anyone think the above symptoms fit in with this?

Thanks a lot for anyone that could shed a bit of light on this, or even if they could give a suggestion for BMW to look at when trying to fix it!

[mrsimian]

Forgot to add that if it is just short trips, the car starts fine each time.

[mrsimian]

A video of the issue (although this is not as bad as it has been, it can sometimes take 6-7 seconds to start).

Just for information the car is cool in the morning and started fine. However this was taken after work where it has been sitting in the sun for a good 8 hours. Drove home and went to two places within a short distance, again started fine first time.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cA1pquFQvQ[/youtube]

[pvr]

My initial thought is engine valve clearings as that causes a delay in starting but no other effects except for higher fuel consumption.

Is that something you are seeing as well?

[gchristofi]

When you started describing the issue my initial thought was fuel pressure regulator too. This is like a non return valve that maintains pressure to injectors even when fuel pumps are not running. If it were the FPR, it would there fore follow that the longer you leave the car off, the more cranking needed to start next time but otherwise normal running.

Reading on though, the fact it starts ok in the morning when cooler means it is less likely to be the FPR. More likely a temp sensor failed so engine trying to start with incorrect air / fuel mixture etc.

[mrsimian]

Well that is the weird thing, the engine would be pretty cool I would have thought (for an engine anyway). If it was temperature related would it not occur when the engine is turned off and started again a shot time later?

[gchristofi]

Very true. I wonder if there is a state between hot and cold I.e warm that causes the issue. When you have the problem, can you ever then immediately replicate it by switching of and starting again?

Has this only started with warmer ambient temps now summer has finally arrived?

[Horizon]

Used to get the same on my E60 530i. It had the one touch start on the key I E turn the key and let go. The engine would turn over  for 8 seconds or so before it started. I think the auto cranking time limit was 10 seconds, but it seems to crank forever, especially as you let go of the key and it still keeps trying.
It never failed to start though, even though it felt like an age to start sometimes.
I'm sure it im proved when I replaced the battery after it kicked a few active Steering Inactive faults on the IDrive.
Maybe time to replace your battery. ( unless you already have, and have mentioned it in your post. )