N53 injectors, diagnosis, replacement etc

[Gad-Westy]

I got a bit of a steer on this on my readers car thread. Car is a 07 LCI E61 525i. Maybe 1 in 4 cold starts, the engine will not start on all cylinders. Sometimes a blip will get all going, sometimes it needs a restart.

It was mentioned on my readers cars thread that this can often be a sign of injector failing which leads me to some questions.

I have quite a basic BMW specific diagnostics dongle, I forget the model but can check if it's relevant. There are some fault codes logged but nothing specifically suggesting an injector issue. Is there something specific I should be seeing there? Is now the time to invest in a better scan tool, if so what?

Any good methods for self diagnosis? Maybe spark plug condition? Though it should be said that there are no running issues at all so I'm sceptical as to whether I'll see anything.

If I do determine, I have an injector issue, is this one of those jobs where I should do the lot or just the culprit?

Where should I buy injectors? Part number I should be looking for? I've read some confusing stuff about index 11 or something along those lines so seems I need to tread carefully here.

Do they need coding? And if so, what kit would I need for that?

Thanks in advance all.

Edited by Gad-Westy on Friday 2nd September 07:49

[d_a_n1979]

Re scan tool; I find the Creator C310 does really well and can give you live data as well...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-System-Engine-Rea...

The Autophix 7910 is the next step up:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUTOPHIX-Diagnostic-Enhan...

My pal has the Foxwell 624 and that's really good:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253757587996?epid=17040...

And then you're into the likes of INPA & ISTA on a laptop - you really need to know what you're doing with these; but they're about the best as they can interrogate all the ECUs etc

Ref the injector side; can't help sorry as no experience in this. Hopefully someone like Sam - @court_s will chime in etc

[Gad-Westy]

d_a_n1979 said:

Re scan tool; I find the Creator C310 does really well and can give you live data as well...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-System-Engine-Rea...

The Autophix 7910 is the next step up:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUTOPHIX-Diagnostic-Enhan...

My pal has the Foxwell 624 and that's really good:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253757587996?epid=17040...

And then you're into the likes of INPA & ISTA on a laptop - you really need to know what you're doing with these; but they're about the best as they can interrogate all the ECUs etc

Ref the injector side; can't help sorry as no experience in this. Hopefully someone like Sam - @court_s will chime in etc

Cheers. Think the first tool is the one I have actually. Certainly looks like it. I guess I might to consider INPA if coding is required on new injectors.

[the_g_ster]

N53, crazy complex engine, wasnt in north america.

Your start issues could be lots of things, injectors are silly money now, and a code reader may not always show what the error is.

I would be tempted to go and get it checked by a very experienced indy, OR, spend some time looking at what you can do before injectors.

Bimmerprofs has loads on this

I know this is no immediate help, but you need to invest some time to learn on this one if you're gonna tackle yourself.