320d Glow Plug procedure

chrissyw · 03-15-2020, 01:09 PM

Ever since I've had my 320d (M47) during cold weather it's started rough and pumped out a bit of blue smoke.

The glow plug light flashes up on the dash for literally 2 seconds and then it starts rough.

There are no error codes on INPA for the plugs or controller so am I not starting it right? I thought it paused for the plugs to warm up and then started itself when ready?

Rich_D · 03-20-2020, 08:49 AM

Just press the start button and it should fire up smoothly, no waiting required.

Does it only do it from stone cold after being left for several hours, i.e. overnight?

If it's not the glow plugs, it could be a a fuel injector (or more than one) leaking fuel into the cylinder slowly, then starts rough until it clears, I've had this on a 330d.

chrissyw · 03-20-2020, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_D

Just press the start button and it should fire up smoothly, no waiting required.

Does it only do it from stone cold after being left for several hours, i.e. overnight?

If it's not the glow plugs, it could be a a fuel injector (or more than one) leaking fuel into the cylinder slowly, then starts rough until it clears, I've had this on a 330d.

I thought that was the case. When I press the button the glow plug light flashes up and then the car starts rough.

In milder weather and the summer it starts up perfectly, just anything around 5 degrees etc.

Might see if I can have a go at doing the controller tomorrow. Strange there's no error codes.

Phil325i · 03-22-2020, 07:59 AM

How many miles on your engine? Glow plugs don't last for ever...

chrissyw · 03-23-2020, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

How many miles on your engine? Glow plugs don't last for ever...

170k but it's done this since I bought it on 78k.

I changed the controller yesterday so we'll see this morning how it starts.

chrissyw · 03-23-2020, 08:29 AM

Well it was -1 this morning when I turned it on.

Slight lump in start up but no smoke at all. A far better start than normal. Usually the whole shakes for about 20 seconds. I'll check inpa later.

jambler · 05-10-2020, 09:49 AM

Interested to see what the final result of this was. I have a 320d N47 here with 220k miles on the clock. Just ordered new glow plugs as I got codes for 3/4 of them.

I am wondering if i should replace the module also. My car engine shakes also when running and I have a DPF code also.

Tambohamilton · 05-14-2020, 02:19 PM

I would replace the controller while you're on the job...they are prone to failure. I recently had 3 glow plugs out on my M57 according to the codes, replaced the controller and now they all work. Car runs way smoother when cold (not warmed up) now. Your dpf code could be caused by the glow plugs/module (preventing active regen)

chrissyw · 06-09-2020, 09:36 AM

End result, it appears to be injector 3 related, which is gradually deteriorating.

The module made zero difference.

03-15-2020, 01:09 PM	#1
chrissyw Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	320d Glow Plug procedure Ever since I've had my 320d (M47) during cold weather it's started rough and pumped out a bit of blue smoke. The glow plug light flashes up on the dash for literally 2 seconds and then it starts rough. There are no error codes on INPA for the plugs or controller so am I not starting it right? I thought it paused for the plugs to warm up and then started itself when ready?
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03-20-2020, 08:49 AM	#2
Rich_D Captain 95 Rep 666 Posts Drives: E90 330d M Sport LCI Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancs, UK iTrader: (0)	Just press the start button and it should fire up smoothly, no waiting required. Does it only do it from stone cold after being left for several hours, i.e. overnight? If it's not the glow plugs, it could be a a fuel injector (or more than one) leaking fuel into the cylinder slowly, then starts rough until it clears, I've had this on a 330d. __________________ BMW E90 330d M Sport LCI in Sapphire Black
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03-22-2020, 07:59 AM	#4
Phil325i Brigadier General 615 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	How many miles on your engine? Glow plugs don't last for ever... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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03-23-2020, 08:29 AM	#6
chrissyw Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	Well it was -1 this morning when I turned it on. Slight lump in start up but no smoke at all. A far better start than normal. Usually the whole shakes for about 20 seconds. I'll check inpa later.
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05-10-2020, 09:49 AM	#7
jambler Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW 320d N47 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Interested to see what the final result of this was. I have a 320d N47 here with 220k miles on the clock. Just ordered new glow plugs as I got codes for 3/4 of them. I am wondering if i should replace the module also. My car engine shakes also when running and I have a DPF code also.
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05-14-2020, 02:19 PM	#8
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	I would replace the controller while you're on the job...they are prone to failure. I recently had 3 glow plugs out on my M57 according to the codes, replaced the controller and now they all work. Car runs way smoother when cold (not warmed up) now. Your dpf code could be caused by the glow plugs/module (preventing active regen)
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06-09-2020, 09:36 AM	#9
chrissyw Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	End result, it appears to be injector 3 related, which is gradually deteriorating. The module made zero difference.
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