Rough on start up?

[stuturners]

When i start my 325i in the morning it is really rouhg for 1-2 mins until it has slightly warmed up (sounds like it is not running on all cylinders). once warmed up the engine is fine, no problems. when hot it will then start first turn of the key. but if it warm and then let to col down for 20 mins or so it is a right pain to get started, agian running rough for 1 min or so. a friend thinks it may be sometnig to do with the cold start valve? cold start Any ideas would be greatly received.

[dannosail]

I have a similar problem with mine but it's not generally the cold weather. If I do a long journey and leave the car overnight or for a day when I start it again it doesn't seem to fire on all cylinders. After a little while it settles out.

I guess this may be the dizzy cap or perhaps the spark plugs leads are a bit old?

[DJ_B4L]

i have a similar problem aswel when the car is started in the morning it runs like its either not running on all cylinders or like its about to cut out
if you drive off it gets better after a few mins

i want to fix this problem on my car aswel
i tried checking the air intake and filter, changed sparkplugs as the service was due anyway, i think it might be the leads aswel as mine are old or the cold valve let me know if you get any luck

[E30BeemerLad]

I would look at dizzy cap and rotor arm before replacing leads as the original leads are very good and usually not at fault for rough running.

[DJ_B4L]

i know what the rotar arm is what is the dizzy cap

[stuturners]

Mine was running and starting fine, then this problem occurred over a short period of time. i have tried the leads and spark plugs to no avail. but i have not tried the dizzy cap, if that is the problem?

[E30BeemerLad]

i know what the rotar arm is what is the dizzy cap

well if you know what a rotor arm is, then you will have removed the distributor cap to get to it

take the distributor cap off, making sure you don't strip the threads in the screws, and have a look at the contact points, if they look a bit pitted and rough and the same for the rotor arm tip, then sometimes a bit of a clean up with some wet n dry paper can sort it, but to be honest you are on borrowed time and will need to replace eventually.

dizzy cap for a 6 pot ain't cheap though, think they are in the region of £35-£50 depending on where you go.

If the cap or rotor arm are cracked when you take them off then defo want to look at replacing.

[DJ_B4L]

lol oh you meant the distributor cap i know where that is lol i thought was a dizzy cap il check them and see if they are worn or cracked thanks

[Adammcf]

Mine does this as well for the first 20-30 seconds after you start it when stone cold then its lovely.
Ive just rebult the engine including new water sensors, rotor arm. I didnt change the dizzy cap but I dont see why it would suddenly start working properly after 20 seconds or so as there is nothing to warm up etc.

[DelaneyG]

my 320 does it 2 i havnt done the cap arm or plugs onit yet cos ders so many other things too do onit! it,d be nice to know if it works for anyone else doh