[cssnms]

The car sat in the cold garage for a few days over Christmas. Today I went to start it and the engine was slow to turn over, then it fired up, but it was very rough and much louder for about 3 or 4 seconds. In fact the entire shook, but then it smoothed out and sounded/ran fine. No codes or check engine lights.

I've been through a winter already so I've started the car in the cold before after it sat, but never did this before.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

[Aaron Sweat]

Yes, it has happened to me a few times when the weather went from summer to late fall. After a couple rough starts, my SES light came on. Dealer said that one or more of my glow plugs had malfunctioned. All were replaced under warranty. My SES is back now, but my guess is something else, as I've had no other troubles.

[NotNormal]

Have your codes read, you might need either glow plugs or controller or both ?

How many miles ??

[GoRomeo]

I have to say this happened to me lately. In regards to rough/slow starts its a sign of a weak battery I think. I ve had slow cranks but starts all the time. I know I need a new battery since I am still on original battery now for 7 years. I think its time for a new one... In regards to rough starts my 330 have always run rough in the mornings while in garage.

I known for years shes not a morning car/person...LOL just saying...

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by NotNormal

Have your codes read, you might need either glow plugs or controller or both ?

How many miles ??

25k

Like I said, no codes, no lights - I already hooked up the BT cable.

[Socom]

Probably not cold enough to fire up glow plugs. I've had it happen only a couple of times with every BMW I've owned. My car is parked outside 24/7. Possible that your diesel is @ low end for cetane. Has it happened again?

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by Socom

Probably not cold enough to fire up glow plugs. I've had it happen only a couple of times with every BMW I've owned. My car is parked outside 24/7. Possible that your diesel is @ low end for cetane. Has it happened again?

I have not started it up today. I do not think it was cold enough either - inside my garage. Maybe it got down to low 40's at best. I fill up at the same Shell station and I've never encountered this problem before.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by cssnms

The car sat in the cold garage for a few days over Christmas. Today I went to start it and the engine was slow to turn over, then it fired up, but it was very rough and much louder for about 3 or 4 seconds. In fact the entire shook, but then it smoothed out and sounded/ran fine. No codes or check engine lights.

I've been through a winter already so I've started the car in the cold before after it sat, but never did this before.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

After a month i had a slightly louder start then louder for 3-4 minutes. No lingering issues.

[crazyinp]

Originally Posted by cssnms

I have not started it up today. I do not think it was cold enough either - inside my garage. Maybe it got down to low 40's at best. I fill up at the same Shell station and I've never encountered this problem before.

I just came back from vacation after 14days. Car sat outside during that period.This morning temperature in MA was 5F. Car started without any problem and ran as smooth as normal. I saw the heating icon for less than couple seconds. Actually Mini Cooper S had much hard time starting!!!

Btw I use Power Kleen add. all the time. With the last tank I switched to their winter version.

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by crazyinp

I just came back from vacation after 14days. Car sat outside during that period.This morning temperature in MA was 5F. Car started without any problem and ran as smooth as normal. I saw the heating icon for less than couple seconds. Actually Mini Cooper S had much hard time starting!!!

Btw I use Power Kleen add. all the time. With the last tank I switched to their winter version.

Yea I have not had a problem since to include the car sitting outside last night when temps dropped to the teens.

[Quasimodem]

I saw the glow plug symbol this morning. First time in 3.5 years here in northern california. Had to flip open the car's manual to find out whether that weird squigly symbol meant I was about to die or not.

[Got_Diesel]

I've had this happen to me as well. Cranked a little longer than usual, idled rough and the whole car shook then ran fine.

[kbsilver]

We've not had a single cold starting issue here in NJ, although the car is in a unheated garage. I have noticed a light diesel smell when first driving the car when very cold, which never happens during the non winter seasons. Probably should let it warm up a minute or 2 under these conditions before driving. Was treating like a gasoline engine which is to gently drive the car immediately after starting.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

We've not had a single cold starting issue here in NJ, although the car is in a unheated garage. I have noticed a light diesel smell when first driving the car when very cold, which never happens during the non winter seasons. Probably should let it warm up a minute or 2 under these conditions before driving. Was treating like a gasoline engine which is to gently drive the car immediately after starting.

You gently drive a car because the engine oil is not at peak effectiveness in lubricating the moving parts until it is up to temperature. Since diesels depend on oil to lubricate moving parts almost as much as gas engines, there is just as much reason to properly warm up your diesel vehicle before stressing it as with a gas engine. All this talk about driving your car like you stole it to avoid carbon build up shouldnt distract us from the need to warm up the engine before we "drive it like we stole it". All this makes me wish I had a engine temperature guage on the dash.

[dzlmoose]

I had a rough cold start today. It was -25C I pushed the button and the car hesitated also made a weird squeal.

I usually park in the garage but had to give my spot to the TDi.

[mact3333]

Mine starts up slow even in garage...sometimes I give up too early and it doesn't start but second attempt it always starts quickly....weak battery??