E30 Zone

Over this last couple of days the car has been very hard to start taking maybe about 5 turns more than normal to start no matter about the engine temperate. Sometimes it will not even start at all. If the car is push started it will start each and every time within a few feet no problem. Has anyone any ideas what would be causing this? it is turning over very well and know the battery is not the problem. I have replaced the fuel filter, sensor on top of the filter, the lp fuel pump under the passengers seat and the cam shaft sensor but still no joy.

I'd put a set of glow plugs in it. Classic sign they are passed their best if it takes a few cranks to start

think ill try them today b7, car runs fine once started with no loss of power until the car is switched off and i try to start it again

I would think glow plugs would not be needed when the car is warm even on a cold start if there not working in our climate it just causes a bit of roughness until it warms. It could be a fuel delivery pump issue you need to check the supply pressure should be around 3bar I think. Other than that possible cam sensor fault. Hard to say without any diagnostic imformation.

Regards Alan

irish320i wrote:I would think glow plugs would not be needed when the car is warm even on a cold start if there not working in our climate it just causes a bit of roughness until it warms. It could be a fuel delivery pump issue you need to check the supply pressure should be around 3bar I think. Other than that possible cam sensor fault. Hard to say without any diagnostic imformation.

Regards Alan

I agree, glow plugs would be most obvious. But then again on a car like this which is known for fuel delivery problems, it is best getting it diagnosed first and then going from there; rather than replacing parts which may not need to be replaced.