E61 525 diesel poor starting in cold (ish) weather
#21
Car still at garage, in bits, well not really but they have cleared the error codes and want to start it tomorrow in the cold and see what new error codes come up. The error codes on the car when it went in were from when the weather started to get cold, they include EGR, mass air flow meter, injectors, cold start valve. Knowing my luck it will be all of these, but I expected the EGR due to cold running.
See what happens tomorrow.
See what happens tomorrow.
#22
Turned out to be the glow plug control unit, sits under the manifold and due to an oil leak was getting covered in the stuff, hence why it failed. Even though it was this unit that failed the error code was still reporting inefficent glow plugs, even though they were only a month old. Simple solution to be honest, oil problem to be fixed next week.
#23
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Glad you've got to the root of the problem. We're away at the moment but just before leaving the garage fitted a new temperature sensor to try and solve the problem on the basis that if it didn't work I wouldn't pay! God only knows what we'll return to. By then it will have stood for four weeks in fairly regular minus temperatures from what I've been told.
Chris
Chris
#24
its almost always glow plugs or glowplug module this....
I recently changed glowplugs on mine myself. I found 3 dead plugs, but found that all 6 plugs got voltage from the module, hence I did not change the module.
If you are unable to check whats dead/change things yourself I suggest a change of glowplugs AND module as quite some work to get down there to be able to change any of it.
I recently changed glowplugs on mine myself. I found 3 dead plugs, but found that all 6 plugs got voltage from the module, hence I did not change the module.
If you are unable to check whats dead/change things yourself I suggest a change of glowplugs AND module as quite some work to get down there to be able to change any of it.
#26
If it's freezing and the starter spins strong but the engine barely starts and then dies, you can be sure it's one or more dead glow plugs or upstream hardware.
The glow plugs and/or glow plug module are a big part of it, but it's not the be all and end all of a clean idle at startup. even with new plugs and a new glow plug module, a somewhat older engine can still run rough for half a minute or so when it's cold out.
Can't say I know why though. I figure it's not abnormal for a somewhat older engine, might be down to some compression leakage or perhaps a somewhat disrupted injector spray pattern because of injector fouling.
> as my mpg has fallen to less than 25 mpg from being above 30 mpg
There's a thread on here somewhere about bad thermostats causing poor milage. I'm betting it's someheting you want to look into.
The glow plugs and/or glow plug module are a big part of it, but it's not the be all and end all of a clean idle at startup. even with new plugs and a new glow plug module, a somewhat older engine can still run rough for half a minute or so when it's cold out.
Can't say I know why though. I figure it's not abnormal for a somewhat older engine, might be down to some compression leakage or perhaps a somewhat disrupted injector spray pattern because of injector fouling.
> as my mpg has fallen to less than 25 mpg from being above 30 mpg
There's a thread on here somewhere about bad thermostats causing poor milage. I'm betting it's someheting you want to look into.
#27
I also own a 525d (e61 from 2005 with approx. 170.000km). Here in Holland temp. dropped to minus 10 last week. My glow-plug only lites up for 1 or 2 seconds and the engine starts just fine (car stands outside all night).
My problem is that after 15 ~ 20 minutes driving I always end up in a traffic jam (no, this is not the actual problem however, if someone also has a solution for this.....) and then the car starts to stutter. It does that in the area from 1500 ~ 2000 rpm. driving in 2, 3 or 4 gear.
My car will go to the dealer within two weeks from now for an oil change, perhaps this might already solve this problem.
My problem is that after 15 ~ 20 minutes driving I always end up in a traffic jam (no, this is not the actual problem however, if someone also has a solution for this.....) and then the car starts to stutter. It does that in the area from 1500 ~ 2000 rpm. driving in 2, 3 or 4 gear.
My car will go to the dealer within two weeks from now for an oil change, perhaps this might already solve this problem.
Hi Brains,
my E60 525d is the same - did you get a cure? what did the BMW agents define as the problem?
Any help gratefully appreciated
Damien
#28
Just had a question. Did you guys try to heat the plugs more than once before you turn the starter? In -32 that was the only solution for me. Helps by heating the air above the piston. Worked wonders on a vw.
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