F15 X5 Diesel engine starting problem in extreme cold weather

[RayZ535]

I bought my custom made X5 3.5d with an M package last year in April. The car happened to be parked outside in sub-zero temperature of -10F and windchill of -18F. The car was parked at a rooftop parking out in the open and in a corner. When I tried to start it after being parked for 2 days the engine won't start. It seemed like the diesel couldn't handle the cold weather. The ignition would work and crank the engine but the engine was not getting any fuel. It displayed a message "Please wait - Preheating" but it would then go away and still won't start. After a few attempts then the battery started running low. It showed me another error message that there is a Drivetrain malfunction and to drive slowly. Finally it displayed a message that the engine can be started in 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of waiting, it took a couple of tries to finally start it. The check engine light stayed on.
Took the car in to the dealer and they kept it for a week and tried to replicate the issue but couldn't find anything and just reset the codes.
Bottom line is that the diesel engine model might have issues in extreme cold weather - stick with the gasoline engine if you live in a place where the temp can drop to -10 or more.

[Stano]

Before trying to start the car the first time did you allow the pre heating of the glow plugs?
Or did you hop in and hit the start button giving no time for pre heat?

[RayZ535]

I honestly didn't know about the preheat and how long it takes. It only showed me the message after I tried to start it. I left the car in the on position after the first attempt of starting and seeing the preheat message, but then the message would go away after 2 minutes and that's when I tried restarting it.

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by RayZ535

I honestly didn't know about the preheat and how long it takes. It only showed me the message after I tried to start it. I left the car in the on position after the first attempt of starting and seeing the preheat message, but then the message would go away after 2 minutes and that's when I tried restarting it.

In sub freezing temp I usually press the start without my foot on the brake. This will initiate a glow preheat and help starting in cold. Also it is less stress on the starter motor. This may be a helpful practice for those of us who live in colder climates.

[Gilly1964]

From memory, you are supposed to press the start button without your foot on the brake to initiate the pre-heat sequence, then wait for it to tell you start the engine

[RayZ535]

Originally Posted by wjbender

In sub freezing temp I usually press the start without my foot on the brake. This will initiate a glow preheat and help starting in cold. Also it is less stress on the starter motor. This may be a helpful practice for those of us who live in colder climates.

Thanks. Will have to do that from now on.

[RayZ535]

Originally Posted by Gilly1964

From memory, you are supposed to press the start button without your foot on the brake to initiate the pre-heat sequence, then wait for it to tell you start the engine

Thanks. I learned my lesson. Gotta make it a habit to turn it on and wait first and then start it.

[paicapo]

I hade mine out on the airport Car park for 5 days in around -15Celsius that's about -59F I think? Just started the car as normal when got back, maybe something Is different whit the heatplugs or something when you have the cold weather package?

[Heden]

Originally Posted by paicapo

I hade mine out on the airport Car park for 5 days in around -15Celsius that's about -59F I think? Just started the car as normal when got back, maybe something Is different whit the heatplugs or something when you have the cold weather package?

No, that is 5 degrees Fahrenheit

Regards,
Niclas

[cenix]

^ i was beginning to think he parked on the darkside of the moon with such low temps.

[c3uo]

I'm lucky I guess. No problem with my diesel today at -27 C. (knock on wood).

I very briefly see the preheat icon most mornings. I just jump in, and press the start button. If it needs to preheat, it just starts the glow plugs automatically for a half second or second and then starts. The new ceramic tip glow plugs are pretty much instantaneous.

[kip1]

I suggest buying a Webasto and asking Bmw to open the flap to allow engine heating. My engine is allways around 50c when I start in the cold.

[wjbender]

10 F here in NJ this morning and it was just instant start and go. I know it is warmer than many of you experience, but I am very please with the diesel in the temperatures we experience in my area.

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by RayZ535

I bought my custom made X5 3.5d with an M package last year in April. The car happened to be parked outside in sub-zero temperature of -10F and windchill of -18F. The car was parked at a rooftop parking out in the open and in a corner. When I tried to start it after being parked for 2 days the engine won't start. It seemed like the diesel couldn't handle the cold weather. The ignition would work and crank the engine but the engine was not getting any fuel. It displayed a message "Please wait - Preheating" but it would then go away and still won't start. After a few attempts then the battery started running low. It showed me another error message that there is a Drivetrain malfunction and to drive slowly. Finally it displayed a message that the engine can be started in 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of waiting, it took a couple of tries to finally start it. The check engine light stayed on.
Took the car in to the dealer and they kept it for a week and tried to replicate the issue but couldn't find anything and just reset the codes.
Bottom line is that the diesel engine model might have issues in extreme cold weather - stick with the gasoline engine if you live in a place where the temp can drop to -10 or more.

With those temps, you probably experienced the diesel fuel gelling. Below 10F, #2 diesel will gel and filters, lines and tank is full of gel. It will go back to liquid once warmed up. In temps below 10F, diesel fuel distributors will mix their #2 with #1 diesel which will take you to about -15F. Past that, you should use an additive to prevent gelling. Google it and you will get tons of info on cold weather operations with diesel. When I drove a truck for my dad in Ohio, there were days at a time where we never shut the engine off - it idled all night and drove all day. But no gelling and never had worry about a "no-start" issue.

Just a thought...

[kip1]

There are also different types of diesel. Did you check that it was winterndiesel. Summer diesel doesnt work above -10c. We have diesel up to -37, which I use. I think there is parafin that gets clogged in filters. I try to keep an empty tank to have space for winter diesel.

[paicapo]

Originally Posted by cenix

^ i was beginning to think he parked on the darkside of the moon with such low temps.

hehe, the blame is on a lousy free online converter service, tough it looked kind of funny

[Lorde]

I have owned many, many diesel trucks. No matter what the temp, always allow the plugs to warm up first!

[fortresskanada]

Originally Posted by wjbender

In sub freezing temp I usually press the start without my foot on the brake. This will initiate a glow preheat and help starting in cold. Also it is less stress on the starter motor. This may be a helpful practice for those of us who live in colder climates.

Are there any BMW recommended block heaters/battery heaters or remote starters? -30 weather is coming next month

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by fortresskanada

Are there any BMW recommended block heaters/battery heaters or remote starters? -30 weather is coming next month

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1764696