[michaelalex17]

Hello,

Recently I have noticed that my N52 takes an extra second or two to start after sitting for a day or longer. If I start it up and drive around for even 5 minutes and turn it off and back on it fires up no problem. Battery is only 3 or so year old. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[michaelalex17]

Bump

[E92_William]

What if you leave the key in the slot with the start button pressed with foot off the brake for like 10 secs before starting? Does it do the same thing? Would be worth scanning too

[michaelalex17]

Scanned and no codes and I actually already did that when starting it I just didn't film the beginning part. I always wait a few seconds with the key in and powered up before starting because was told it helps prime the fuel pump and makes it start easier.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

Hello,
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

My 5c would be not to worry about it, at least for now.

My E91 does exactly the same, no codes, 2 year old battery

You could spend countless hours replacing spark plugs, coils, fuel pump & fuel regulator, CCV, starter, etc.

Mine does "feel" better next morning after long 3 hour drive up in the mountains a day or two before.

I also have 3 diesels - all fire up instantly - and my brain wants the older NA gasoline engine to do the same.

3 years ago I was told that my WP is dying and will give up any moment.
Since then I replaced the battery (WP code went away) and driven 25K miles.
When it (WP) dies - I'll replace it.

If it bothers you too much, I'd probably start spending time and $ on the fuel regulator.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by POBEP

My 5c would be not to worry about it, at least for now.

My E91 does exactly the same, no codes, 2 year old battery

You could spend countless hours replacing spark plugs, coils, fuel pump & fuel regulator, CCV, starter, etc.

Mine does "feel" better next morning after long 3 hour drive up in the mountains a day or two before.

I also have 3 diesels - all fire up instantly - and my brain wants the older NA gasoline engine to do the same.

3 years ago I was told that my WP is dying and will give up any moment.
Since then I replaced the battery (WP code went away) and driven 25K miles.
When it (WP) dies - I'll replace it.

If it bothers you too much, I'd probably start spending time and $ on the fuel regulator.

Thanks! It does seem like it's fuel pump related because I feel like if it was the starter motor it would happen every time I start the car. If it was a ground issue it would be intermittent. If it happens after one day or one week then it's probably not the battery. And I replaced the coils and plugs recently.

If it only happens after sitting 24 hours plus I feel like the theory of it being fuel pump related makes sense, but I'm certainly no mechanic.

[POBEP]

michaelalex17


New data point.
I let my E91 / N52K sit parked for 5 days.

Ambient temperature was approximately 5C yesterday.
I let ignition stay ON for good 15 seconds.
It fired up right away, no delay.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by POBEP

michaelalex17


New data point.
I let my E91 / N52K sit parked for 5 days.

Ambient temperature was approximately 5C yesterday.
I let ignition stay ON for good 15 seconds.
It fired up right away, no delay.

Thanks for sharing! I have a strange data point too which is I left the car for several days and when starting this time I removed the ancillary cig lighter charger and turned the headlights off and it seemed to start faster. Maybe that stuff was drawing juice from the battery on startup? Will keep updating on developments.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

Thanks for sharing! I have a strange data point too which is I left the car for several days and when starting this time I removed the ancillary cig lighter charger and turned the headlights off and it seemed to start faster. Maybe that stuff was drawing juice from the battery on startup? Will keep updating on developments.

michaelalex17 - I do not think headlights or the cig charger have anything to do with long crank. The lighter socket relay cuts power when car goes to sleep, headlight power is being cut off during starter operation.

New data point for my E91
- 22 hour rest time
- 11C outside temp
- start/stop button pushed immediately after opening the car
- the starter spinned fine, but took nearly 5 seconds to fire up the engine

At this point, I choose to believe that my E91 has issue with fuel delivery for the following reasons
- battery is new and has 80% or more charge
- starter spins fast, even during long cranks
- no rough idling (not a CCV/ignition issue)
- ambient temps does not seem to be a factor
- keeping ignition on for 10s before startup after overnight rest always helps

However, I am going to hold on to repairs, at least for now.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by POBEP

michaelalex17 - I do not think headlights or the cig charger have anything to do with long crank. The lighter socket relay cuts power when car goes to sleep, headlight power is being cut off during starter operation.

New data point for my E91
- 22 hour rest time
- 11C outside temp
- start/stop button pushed immediately after opening the car
- the starter spinned fine, but took nearly 5 seconds to fire up the engine

At this point, I choose to believe that my E91 has issue with fuel delivery for the following reasons
- battery is new and has 80% or more charge
- starter spins fast, even during long cranks
- no rough idling (not a CCV/ignition issue)
- ambient temps does not seem to be a factor
- keeping ignition on for 10s before startup after overnight rest always helps

However, I am going to hold on to repairs, at least for now.

I didn't think it was draining the battery when sitting, I was wondering if the added juice to keep them powered on while also tasking the battery of starting the car had any impact. Could be placebo, but it seemed to start easier when I switched all the ancillary stuff off. I'm with you though it's likely fuel related. All of your current symptoms perfectly match mine.

[mike5124]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

I didn't think it was draining the battery when sitting, I was wondering if the added juice to keep them powered on while also tasking the battery of starting the car had any impact. Could be placebo, but it seemed to start easier when I switched all the ancillary stuff off. I'm with you though it's likely fuel related. All of your current symptoms perfectly match mine.

Hello,

I was wondering if you have any updates on the situation? I'm also experiencing slow cold starts. I have a 2006 325i with 176k miles. I have reason to believe it's the starter but I'll take any inputs. I'm thinking about posting a video to see if that helps.

[michaelalex17]

Funny you posted since my car is at the shop as we speak getting this issue diagnosed. Will update once I hear anything

[michaelalex17]

Alright so the shop is pretty sure it's the crankshaft position sensor. Have them replacing that and will report back

[michaelalex17]

Been awhile since updating this thread. So far have replaced the crankshaft position sensor, battery, spark plugs and none of those have helped. My last ditch effort is to replace the fuel pump and fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator. Will let you guys know if that ends up finally fixing the problem.

[cghempel]

My N51 E90 experiences this same issue. If it sits for a few consecutive days, it will crank a bit longer than the OPs car.

I'm interested to see what others find here, but a well trusted shop looked into mine and didn't find any immediate issues. They recommended waiting to see if it gets any worse and so far, it has remained steady.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by cghempel

My N51 E90 experiences this same issue. If it sits for a few consecutive days, it will crank a bit longer than the OPs car.

I'm interested to see what others find here, but a well trusted shop looked into mine and didn't find any immediate issues. They recommended waiting to see if it gets any worse and so far, it has remained steady.

How long has that been the case? Mine actually didn't start once so far. Then I pressed the start button and it fired right up. Felt like wasn't getting enough fuel. Hoping the fuel filter is clogged. Will keep you guys posted following the install

[cghempel]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

How long has that been the case? Mine actually didn't start once so far. Then I pressed the start button and it fired right up. Felt like wasn't getting enough fuel. Hoping the fuel filter is clogged. Will keep you guys posted following the install

A few months. Car has always started on the first try, however. Please do let us know what you find.

[cheerio]

Had a similar issue. Seems to be fixed after replacing fuel pressure regulator and throwing in a bottle of fuel system cleaner

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by cheerio

Had a similar issue. Seems to be fixed after replacing fuel pressure regulator and throwing in a bottle of fuel system cleaner

That's good to hear! Should be doing install at some point this week.

[PS2N54]

sounds like fuel side issue based on everything else you eliminated. (rare case being valvetronic motor, essentric shaft sensor or crankcase sensor, if u getting rough idle after the long crank too)

try running some fuel treatment/injector cleaner for atleast 2 tanks if havent already, you'd be surprised. i used Lucas, made noticeable difference when i was getting low RPM hesitation, even after doing plugs/vanos/checkvalves etc...

[mike5124]

Hi

Just wanted to chime in again, after a succession of slow cold starts my starter decided to give out. Went to replace it and it fires up immediately every time.

Hope this helps.

[bluewater328]

Grounding straps under car near fuel line and on passenger side of engine bay near exhaust manifold still look crisp and not weathered?