[fresh_e92]

Hi guys,

Had my 2011 e93 330i for a couple of weeks now and I'm getting some issues which sound like the common problems I have been warned about.

On a cold startup there is a slight misfire of the engine with the revs bouncing around ever so slightly and a slight shake. It's not very pronounced at all, and compared to some of the youtube videos I have seen it's not bad at all.

When I drive out of my house it's a reverse out job with no throttle, then straight into drive with minimal throttle applied.

I noticed a few times when going from reverse into drive the revs drop right down and shoot up again. It also happened today when I went into reverse and very much felt like the engine wanted to stall.

After setting off the car is fine and on idling in traffic etc it is spot on....

The previous owner had the coil packs replaced so just wondering if you guys had any idea please?

Also do you know how I can find out if it has had any BMW recall work?

Thanks!

[Dormermike]

If mileage is sub 60k get a warranty (BMW warranty) onto it asap

[Phil325i]

The most likely cause of your cold start issues is one or more injectors leaking, which causes cold rough running until the excess fuel is burned off. But the only way to know for sure is to have your engine's fault codes read.

To find out your car's recall history, take your key to any BMW dealer service dept and ask them to put it in the key reader they will have on thier desk.

[fresh_e92]

Originally Posted by Dormermike

If mileage is sub 60k get a warranty (BMW warranty) onto it asap

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into it. Are there any pre reqs that you're aware of?

Sorry I know it's probably listed on the website but wanted to get the forum insider knowledge.

[fresh_e92]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

The most likely cause of your cold start issues is one or more injectors leaking, which causes cold rough running until the excess fuel is burned off. But the only way to know for sure is to have your engine's fault codes read.

To find out your car's recall history, take your key to any BMW dealer service dept and ask them to put it in the key reader they will have on thier desk.

Thanks Phil, appreciate the explanation of the issue. I'll get the fault codes read. Luckily I have a friend with a reader.

I take it injectors are an expensive fix?

[fresh_e92]

Sorry just one more question!

I understand that injectors are known weaknesses of the engine, does that mean I am likely to face this issue again?

[jamherber]

Injectors are around £150 each (if you shop around - most dealers will sting you for well over £200 each). If you're not going down the warranty route, keep an eye on ebay.

Chances are that some or most of yours will have been changed under warranty. The latest version for this engine is Index 11. The generally seem more reliable but time will tell how they last.

The are pretty straight forward to change and code - I've got it down to around 30 minutes without rushing.

[Phil325i]

Jamherber's advice is fair enough, but personally I would be wary of buying these injectors on eBay for two reasons:

1. As the design of these injectors has been modified 11 times, you really want to avoid previous versions (which someone might be getting shot of on eBay)

2. Avoid completely any injectors which have been previously used, even if they claim to have been refurbished. Piezo injectors can't really be repaired, and so-called 'refurbished' are very likely to fail again in a short time.

As to longevity, the jury's still out on how long the latest version will last. I'm almost coming to the view that changing injectors as a preventive measure every 50K may well be worthwhile if you're keeping your car long-term.

Oh and Cotswold BMW give a parts discount to members of this forum (see the UK Classified section).

[old grey steve]

From your description does sound like an injector related issue (think dripping tap)where they are not shutting off on command they basically drip fuel when they should be closed off, when you start up say in the morning the car will have to clear the excess fuel that's in effect for simplistic terms been dripping out of the effected injector(s) plus you'll have an imprecise spray pattern and other issue which will all contribute to the issues you're facing, been through it stacks of times before with numerous cars but from your description sounds injector related, but I've also seen the odd HPFP delivering day 5bar of pressure that's also come back as a lumpy rough idle as well where they should deliver 50bar. The other thing you need to know is don't replace 1 injector these cars are so finical you'll be best off though its hard on the wallet replacing 6.

But re injectors Euro's do offer genuine BMW supplied parts cheaper than you'll ever get off BMW

[richk84]

I have had all my injectors done twice now under warranty by BMW. So the warranty has more than paid for its self.

I had a slight misfire like yourself in the morning. After reading the codes, there was a misfire on 5 and 6. So I was surprised my dealer replaced all 6. I did enquire about them changing all 6 and they said BMW UK told them to do all 6 after they submitted the claim, so it might now be a best practice from BMW to replace all 6 regardless. Either way I'm very happy as it's piece of mind knowing all 6 have been done, with new plugs too.

[fresh_e92]

The knowledge on this forum is amazing.

Looks to be an injector issue then. Looking into the BMW warranty it's quite reasonable as the car is under 60k miles.

Only snag is that I don't have the invoice of the services its had, as they were done via previous owner.

Do you know if it has to have a main dealer service history? Car has been seen by an indy.

Thanks!

[old grey steve]

Injectors are very common sometimes though you have to look over your shoulder re other issues but who diagnosed the issue for you previously as I've seen a fair few of these over the past weeks/months. Some heed the advise and change them some take the car away?

[Dormermike]

Originally Posted by fresh_e92

The knowledge on this forum is amazing.

Looks to be an injector issue then. Looking into the BMW warranty it's quite reasonable as the car is under 60k miles.

Only snag is that I don't have the invoice of the services its had, as they were done via previous owner.

Do you know if it has to have a main dealer service history? Car has been seen by an indy.

Thanks!

It must have been serviced by a VAT registered garage. All I've ever been asked for is a photocopy of my service book which has a handwritten note by me for the last brake fluid service. Call the warranty and speak to them. They are really good to deal with and take a common sense approach. Case in point car got diagnosed with a failed rear shock. Asked dealer to put both rear through warranty and they said no way. Phoned warranty and hey presto both shocks done.

[Dormermike]

Originally Posted by richk84

I have had all my injectors done twice now under warranty by BMW. So the warranty has more than paid for its self.

I had a slight misfire like yourself in the morning. After reading the codes, there was a misfire on 5 and 6. So I was surprised my dealer replaced all 6. I did enquire about them changing all 6 and they said BMW UK told them to do all 6 after they submitted the claim, so it might now be a best practice from BMW to replace all 6 regardless. Either way I'm very happy as it's piece of mind knowing all 6 have been done, with new plugs too.

Don't happen to know the index number of the sets you had replaced do you?

[The0pportunist]

I think the guys above have nailed it. I had same issues too and had all injectors and coil packs replaced by dealer.

Might be worth contacting BMW service departments to see where & when your car had its injectors replaced. If within 2 years they have to fix it under parts warranty.

[Jet1990]

I too had an issue with my 330i - rough startup and a misfire which sent the car into limp mode. fault code for cylinder 5 misfire came up so bmw replaced all 6 injectors and coils but it ended up being the HPFP sensor or something like that. Needless to say for £250 excess on BMW insured warranty i was pretty happy.

[richk84]

Originally Posted by Dormermike

Don't happen to know the index number of the sets you had replaced do you?

Not off the top of my head but can find out

[fresh_e92]

Guys,

I've just run a carly diags and truthfully I don't actually understand any of it. Would anyone be willing to take a look for me please? Happy to email it just don't want to attach on this post.

Thanks!

[jamherber]

Stick the details on a PM to me and I'll have a look

[Stoatmaster]

If you have a leaking injector, it's likely it's possible it won't throw a code via Carly. Mine never did.

I also got 6 injectors replaced on warranty, same issue.

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by Stoatmaster

If you have a leaking injector, it's likely it's possible it won't throw a code via Carly. Mine never did.

I also got 6 injectors replaced on warranty, same issue.

You are perfectly correct re the lack of codes, seen plenty that haven't shown up any info therefore most don't go any further with investigating and assume its something else, even when checking smooth running via live data you see or it appears that everything is within spec regarding readings so if you don't know the breed you'll assume injectors are fine and you move on (most common is sparks and/or coils), yet take the plugs out and it will start to reveal a bit more info, like they'll smell of fuel or they'll be black with carbon-even here I've been aware of garages just replacing plugs and thinking that's it.

We usually when we see these cars now religiously end up removing plugs and scoping each injector which reveals all re leaking injectors, poor injector spray pattern and injector's not closing down when instructed to do so.

But re these yes if you're going to encounter this sort of problem replace all injectors, plugs and where necessary coils. But plugs due to contamination/possible contamination and injectors seems the way forward on these I'm afraid if you're looking and a confirmed injector related issue

[angry_feet]

I had this on mine. The first Bank of 3 was all leaking. No codes though. To be honest checking each spark plug will tell u whether or not the injector has had it. I got mine new off of eBay. Ended up costing about 350 for 3 injectors. I then had them fitted and codes for an extra 90 by my local bmw specialist. The other 3 still seem to be ok. 10k miles later and no issues, car starts and runs as if it was new.