After a trip down to the Alps and back, my M42 intermittently starts from cold on what sounds like 3 cylinders. First time it did this was after being parked in -10c or less for 4 days, then again a few days after getting back from France.
In normal operation the starter will crank for 1-2 seconds before the engine fires. When this occurs, the engine will catch almost as soon as the key is turned. It comes back to 4 within a minute or two but idles a bit rough. Accepts throttle normally otherwise and appears to fire on all 4 from cold once throttle is actually applied. No smoking or noticeable oil or coolant contamination. Plugs are correct and new enough. Camchain probably needs doing (123k or so). No strange noises (other than the characteristic slight tick under load from ~3-4k which I attribute to the camchain, guides and sprockets needing replacement - tensioner's already been done).
Anyone had this or have any likely candidates for the source of the problem? Would rather sort at some point it before it gets worse rather than ignore.
M42 intermittently running on 3 cylinders - cold start
Moderator: martauto
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bmbartlett
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: Essex
when we have the snow spell a few weeks ago same happened to my m40 318i, now its warmer and above freezing i dont have the issue, dont know what does it, it'd be nice to know tho
It seems to have stopped doing it...maybe something getting wet and freezing in the alps has worked itself out. New oil and filter and a bit of engine flush snake oil and it's back to purring like a proverbial. Famous last words...bmbartlett wrote:when we have the snow spell a few weeks ago same happened to my m40 318i, now its warmer and above freezing i dont have the issue, dont know what does it, it'd be nice to know tho
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bmbartlett
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: Essex
Might be ht leads mate, myn did same when damp and wet and I had a dodgy lead which arked, brought new set and fine so far