BMW X5 2003 3.0 Diesel starting problems
Discussion
Hey!
I was wondering if anybody could advise?
I bought an X5 a few weeks ago, when I bought the car it had an issue with the expansion tank which I replaced straight away! The owners told me it had no other issues and tbf its a really nice model but unfortunately it has a start up issues they didn’t tell me that bit 😢.
I’ve read so much about these cars now and the issues but I just cannot figure out the problem. First of all I should describe what happens so... when I try to start the car it only cranks then after a while will fire up (turn over) when it’s running it’s sweet as a nut, doesn’t miss a beat and has full power.
I had it MOT last week (told the machanic not to switch the engine of but a young lad did by accident 😂 although they fired it back up with abit of lynx) passed flying colours. Before the MOT I took it to a garage who put it on his computer and the fault code was rail fuel pressure (don’t know the code) he told me to change the fuel filter (sits to the right of the engine block) (the old one was full of fuel is that normal?) which I did and hey presto it started first time without missing a beat!! It was okay for about two days then started to take longer to fire up!
I thought I’d try something’s ive read on line so I swapped the fuel relay switch (green under glove box) with the CD one (same code and colour) and it was still taking a while to fire up! I then changed the inline fuel pump (under the car passenger side near the fuel tank) and still nothing!
Today I have changed the crankshaft sensor (sits on top of the engine just under the black plastic trim) and still nothing! (It’s still taking its time to fire up). I have yet to change the camshaft sensor because I have no idea where that is but that’s my next step unless advised differently.
I’m not a machanic nor can I afford expensive garage bills that is why I’m trying my best to fix the problem DIY style 😂 the MOT machanic told me its not the injectors because it starts perfect when it fires up and doesn’t miss a beat when running? It’s an automatic and like I said has plenty of power! I’m tempted to buy another fuel filter just to see what happens but I dunno as the one in is pretty much brand new. It seems to fire up better when not run for a while but struggles when the engine is warm. I hope someone may know of a way to repair it (I’m hoping I’ve missed checking something) also I don’t think the fuel pump is an issue because when I take the fuel line of the filter and put the key on 2 it spurts out loads.
The art of deduction is costing me pennies 😂 but I’d rather do that then take it to a garage for them to charge me loads of money I don’t have.
So please comment and give me some ideas if you need anymore info please ask! I’ve taken some advice from this page so I know you guys love to help out!
It’s a beautiful car I love it I just hope I can get it running!
I’ve heard something about a fuel rail pressure sensor but have no idea where or what it looks like that obviously could be my next step too?
Thanks in advance
Wayne
I was wondering if anybody could advise?
I bought an X5 a few weeks ago, when I bought the car it had an issue with the expansion tank which I replaced straight away! The owners told me it had no other issues and tbf its a really nice model but unfortunately it has a start up issues they didn’t tell me that bit 😢.
I’ve read so much about these cars now and the issues but I just cannot figure out the problem. First of all I should describe what happens so... when I try to start the car it only cranks then after a while will fire up (turn over) when it’s running it’s sweet as a nut, doesn’t miss a beat and has full power.
I had it MOT last week (told the machanic not to switch the engine of but a young lad did by accident 😂 although they fired it back up with abit of lynx) passed flying colours. Before the MOT I took it to a garage who put it on his computer and the fault code was rail fuel pressure (don’t know the code) he told me to change the fuel filter (sits to the right of the engine block) (the old one was full of fuel is that normal?) which I did and hey presto it started first time without missing a beat!! It was okay for about two days then started to take longer to fire up!
I thought I’d try something’s ive read on line so I swapped the fuel relay switch (green under glove box) with the CD one (same code and colour) and it was still taking a while to fire up! I then changed the inline fuel pump (under the car passenger side near the fuel tank) and still nothing!
Today I have changed the crankshaft sensor (sits on top of the engine just under the black plastic trim) and still nothing! (It’s still taking its time to fire up). I have yet to change the camshaft sensor because I have no idea where that is but that’s my next step unless advised differently.
I’m not a machanic nor can I afford expensive garage bills that is why I’m trying my best to fix the problem DIY style 😂 the MOT machanic told me its not the injectors because it starts perfect when it fires up and doesn’t miss a beat when running? It’s an automatic and like I said has plenty of power! I’m tempted to buy another fuel filter just to see what happens but I dunno as the one in is pretty much brand new. It seems to fire up better when not run for a while but struggles when the engine is warm. I hope someone may know of a way to repair it (I’m hoping I’ve missed checking something) also I don’t think the fuel pump is an issue because when I take the fuel line of the filter and put the key on 2 it spurts out loads.
The art of deduction is costing me pennies 😂 but I’d rather do that then take it to a garage for them to charge me loads of money I don’t have.
So please comment and give me some ideas if you need anymore info please ask! I’ve taken some advice from this page so I know you guys love to help out!
It’s a beautiful car I love it I just hope I can get it running!
I’ve heard something about a fuel rail pressure sensor but have no idea where or what it looks like that obviously could be my next step too?
Thanks in advance
Wayne
helix402 said:
Rail pressure sensor is at the bulkhead end of the fuel rail. There is a fuel pump in the tank too.
thanks for the reply Helix, I know where the fuel pump in the tank is as you can get to it from the back seat but I don’t think that’s the issue. (Bulk end is that front or back) do you think that could be the issue?
Again thank you for your reply
Pre 2007 x5 I assume?
Rail pressure sensor is at the front of the engine on the front of the common rail. Volume control valve is at the rear of the common rail. Both could be cause of issues but so could injectors - when cranking it needs to reach 200 bar pressure and if the injectors are leaking off internally then it will struggle tonreach that setpoint so will never start. Spraying lynx lets the engine fire up on that and then engine turns over quicker allowing fuel pressure to be reached.
You need to get a leak off test done and it will confirm it
Rail pressure sensor is at the front of the engine on the front of the common rail. Volume control valve is at the rear of the common rail. Both could be cause of issues but so could injectors - when cranking it needs to reach 200 bar pressure and if the injectors are leaking off internally then it will struggle tonreach that setpoint so will never start. Spraying lynx lets the engine fire up on that and then engine turns over quicker allowing fuel pressure to be reached.
You need to get a leak off test done and it will confirm it
Had the exact same issue, turned out to be injectors, they were leaking and causing pressure to drop and the car wouldn't start. Started fine with easy start and ran without issue.
Best advice would be to get it to a diesel specialist and get the issue looked at, replacing random parts will be a waste of money.
Best advice would be to get it to a diesel specialist and get the issue looked at, replacing random parts will be a waste of money.
Elliot2000 said:
Pre 2007 x5 I assume?
Rail pressure sensor is at the front of the engine on the front of the common rail. Volume control valve is at the rear of the common rail. Both could be cause of issues but so could injectors - when cranking it needs to reach 200 bar pressure and if the injectors are leaking off internally then it will struggle tonreach that setpoint so will never start. Spraying lynx lets the engine fire up on that and then engine turns over quicker allowing fuel pressure to be reached.
You need to get a leak off test done and it will confirm it
Hmmm it seems logical to go ahead and have the injectors checked, but the car does start it just takes ages, it doesn’t really need the lynx, it was on that occasion because they wanted to start it up quickly. The problem is, if it’s cranking for too long it just flattens the battery. Rail pressure sensor is at the front of the engine on the front of the common rail. Volume control valve is at the rear of the common rail. Both could be cause of issues but so could injectors - when cranking it needs to reach 200 bar pressure and if the injectors are leaking off internally then it will struggle tonreach that setpoint so will never start. Spraying lynx lets the engine fire up on that and then engine turns over quicker allowing fuel pressure to be reached.
You need to get a leak off test done and it will confirm it
The machanic in the garage was convinced it isn’t the injectors but it wouldn’t hurt having them checked.
Thank you fir your reply
Recently had a similar issue on my 2001 E39 530d which I think has the same M57 motor, reluctant starting but fine once running. Turned out to be one of the camshaft position sensors. Both inlet and exhaust sensors are at the front of the engine and close to the front of their respective camshafts, one above and one below the camshaft I think.
This would be my approach. I do this all the time, and like to think I know a bit about diesel common rail engines. (yeah yeah, I know).
1) Fault code read shows fuel rail pressure issues.
2) Measure fuel rail pressure via the sensor - base volts of 0.5v. Does it rise slowly with cranking, or is it a step change before starting - first is likely to be a mechanical leak, second is likely to be an electrical issue.
3) Stall the engine and look at the pressure decay - fast (< 3 seconds) is a mechanical leak. Long decay = electrical issue and no mechanical problem.
4) Assume it's a mechanical issue for now - check the injectors. If high leak off (hard to specify rates), replace all 6. (Check out Darwen Diesels - I buy loads from here, and they are cheap and reliable). Remove the fuel tank, and look for debris, as it may be a pump breaking up - depends on the severity of the pressure decay. you'll need to clean the tank in this case, blow the lines out, and change the hi pressure pump too. (but not likely on a BMW)
5) If it's electrical welcome to a world of pain - but have a look at the pressure regulating valve - that's the most likely.
1) Fault code read shows fuel rail pressure issues.
2) Measure fuel rail pressure via the sensor - base volts of 0.5v. Does it rise slowly with cranking, or is it a step change before starting - first is likely to be a mechanical leak, second is likely to be an electrical issue.
3) Stall the engine and look at the pressure decay - fast (< 3 seconds) is a mechanical leak. Long decay = electrical issue and no mechanical problem.
4) Assume it's a mechanical issue for now - check the injectors. If high leak off (hard to specify rates), replace all 6. (Check out Darwen Diesels - I buy loads from here, and they are cheap and reliable). Remove the fuel tank, and look for debris, as it may be a pump breaking up - depends on the severity of the pressure decay. you'll need to clean the tank in this case, blow the lines out, and change the hi pressure pump too. (but not likely on a BMW)
5) If it's electrical welcome to a world of pain - but have a look at the pressure regulating valve - that's the most likely.
Thank you guys for all your suggestions,
I ended up taking it into a garage and left it with them. It turns out it was 2 injectors one was really bad the other was on its way but thought it best to have them both replaced. Car now runs and starts first time every time.
If anyone is interested it wasn’t that bad at all it cost £115 +VAT for the injectors each and £170 labour charges at the garage! I wish I had have taken it in to start with as I spent over £600 on parts after reading other people’s problems online, although my X5 is like brand new
Again thank you guys
I ended up taking it into a garage and left it with them. It turns out it was 2 injectors one was really bad the other was on its way but thought it best to have them both replaced. Car now runs and starts first time every time.
If anyone is interested it wasn’t that bad at all it cost £115 +VAT for the injectors each and £170 labour charges at the garage! I wish I had have taken it in to start with as I spent over £600 on parts after reading other people’s problems online, although my X5 is like brand new
Again thank you guys
magnum555 said:
Had the exact same issue, turned out to be injectors, they were leaking and causing pressure to drop and the car wouldn't start. Started fine with easy start and ran without issue.
Best advice would be to get it to a diesel specialist and get the issue looked at, replacing random parts will be a waste of money.
Best advice!Best advice would be to get it to a diesel specialist and get the issue looked at, replacing random parts will be a waste of money.
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