Difficult to start but fine once started any ideas why?

[DesirexToxFire]

Hi, my 320i 4dr does not start very well. It turns over alot longer than it should and sometimes when it starts its only just going and stops again. But once its started propperly its fine and doesnt stall or anything. Any ideas why this might be?

Cheers,
Paul

[DesirexToxFire]

Nobody have an idea? Damn ha

[nameless]

It could be alot of things really. What year is the car? Last time you did the basic maintenance?

[Mary99]

It could be alot of things really.

+1........cam position sensors causes conditions very similar to yours except for one minor difference. Sometimes during a drive and coming to a slow stop for a light or stop sign, the car dies.

[DesirexToxFire]

I've only got it recently, its 1994, as far as I know it's pretty well maintained. Its really just when starting, never stalls or anything and idles fine once it's started. Baffling me...

Peace out.

[mystic.clown]

i had a lot of ford's before i saw the light and got a bmw..one of the ford's had a problem with the cold starter unit thing(im not sure of the exact name)but once it was running it was fine maybe it's what your problem is?????just a suggestion as im not very mechanically minded but it fixed my ford 's problem...good luck i hope you sort your problem a.s.a.p..

[DesirexToxFire]

Any ideas? things to check for? Many thanks

[Chris S]

hmm spark plugs> air filter? fuel filter? could be a lot of things.... sometimes get similar problem as you... usually quite rare.. like happened to be today... car just cranked and wouldnt start till the third go. Engine would kinda on occasion sound like its startin but die straight away. (96 323i) but does that kinda sound similar?

[Pango]

I have the same problem. I just bought a 1990 325i with a ton of miles on it. Runs like a champ once it is started. I am going to replace plugs and see if it does the trick. previous owner said there is a new fuel pump and filter in it so we'll see. :eeps:

[LordVodka]

Ya this is really up in the air for problems you could be having, I think it's most likely timing, As when your first starting the engine the timing is off a bit it isn't producing full power and dies again, and once it gets warmed up it can keep the engine going even with the timing off.

[Xrayted]

I had a similar problem but it was my starter, once i changed it has been great. 1998 328i.
not sure of your problem but mine used to crank but did not engaged at the flywheel.

[DesirexToxFire]

Yeah could be, It's not the air filter because that was fine, and it's now got a new KnN on it and still the same problem. Just replaced the plugs and that hasn't solved it either. getting it looked at on tuesday so hopefully get her sorted.
ciao

[Lanc3r]

Fuel filter

How did the plugs look? Can post a pic?

[kennedy1989]

to be completely blunt (and probably abuot to be corrected) but.....

starter motor?? would kinda make sense :S

[DesirexToxFire]

Day before i took it to the garage it started revving itself so i asked them to sort that too. They had it for two days, changed the 02 sensor, that sorted out the revving issue but they couldn't find out why its so difficult to start. They phoned me after i had it back and said that it may be the crank sensor. Is that likely to solve th problem? I can't take it back to them as I'm back at uni and its 4 hours away. I phoned up local dealership and they said £105 for the sensor, so not liklely gettin it from them!

[DesirexToxFire]

Just to add it sort of hesitates a bit at very low revs, if you blip the throttle sounds like it misses sometimes.