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Author: Subject: BMW 525TDS starting trouble
NS Dev

posted on 18/7/08 at 09:34 AM Reply With Quote
BMW 525TDS starting trouble

Any experts in the house??

I have just bought a BMW 525TDS that was supposed to have "cold starting problems"

Fine, glowplugs, thinks I.

Unfortunately it has the same problems when warm as well!!!

It churns over for about 30 secs before starting when hot, and is even more difficult when cold. It then lets out a puff of grey smoke, but after that its completely clean exhaust, no black or grey smoke etc.

It then drives fine, plenty of power etc etc, although it has cut out on me at tickover when changing down gears for junctions etc.

I have done an internet trawl, which has thrown up common lift pump problems (has one in tank) but also that this only runs when the glowplugs are active, and so would not explain the hot start trouble.

It also leaks fuel from the area of the 6th injector. I thought the union nut was loose, but ti wasn't really. I still cracked it off and retightened it and the leak "seemed" to stop, but its back again today. Suspected the leak-off pipe but this "appears" ok as well. I can change this, but is there anywhere else around the injector it can leak from. There appear to be inserts screwed into the head, which then have the injectors screwed into them....

anybody any ideas??

Its done 139,000 miles so only just about run in for one of these, which are 300,000 mile engines as a rule, and as I say, it drives really well!!

[Edited on 18/7/08 by NS Dev]





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Mr Whippy

posted on 18/7/08 at 09:40 AM Reply With Quote
Have you changed the fuel filter? I'd run some injector cleaner through it too as at that mileage things will be very sooty






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DarrenW

posted on 18/7/08 at 09:42 AM Reply With Quote
I can recommend www.BMWLand.co.uk forum to see if they know the fix. I found some amazing info about my engine on there. needless to say a simple oil change is turning out to be a bigger job but im all for prevantative maintenance.






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NS Dev

posted on 18/7/08 at 09:52 AM Reply With Quote
Fuel filter is new..........

will try that forum darren!





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Mr Whippy

posted on 18/7/08 at 10:00 AM Reply With Quote
should have bought a Nissan






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AdamR

posted on 18/7/08 at 10:07 AM Reply With Quote
Shame you're not closer as I have a diagnostic unit that might help pinpoint the issue.

Many of the common problems on these engines stem from the rotary distributor type Bosch injection pump. They are known to wear out at >100K milages and cause all sorts of issues. Unfortunately it's serious money to get a new or recon unit.

I have a 325TDS Touring. Fantastic car and good engine other than the caveat above.

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Howlor

posted on 18/7/08 at 10:13 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by AdamR
Shame you're not closer as I have a diagnostic unit that might help pinpoint the issue.

Many of the common problems on these engines stem from the rotary distributor type Bosch injection pump. They are known to wear out at >100K milages and cause all sorts of issues. Unfortunately it's serious money to get a new or recon unit.

I have a 325TDS Touring. Fantastic car and good engine other than the caveat above.


I am sure my mate had his rebuilt at Bosch for a reasonable amount although it was a 7 day turn around.

Steve

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Mr Whippy

posted on 18/7/08 at 10:33 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Howlor
quote:
Originally posted by AdamR
Shame you're not closer as I have a diagnostic unit that might help pinpoint the issue.

Many of the common problems on these engines stem from the rotary distributor type Bosch injection pump. They are known to wear out at >100K milages and cause all sorts of issues. Unfortunately it's serious money to get a new or recon unit.

I have a 325TDS Touring. Fantastic car and good engine other than the caveat above.


I am sure my mate had his rebuilt at Bosch for a reasonable amount although it was a 7 day turn around.

Steve


Yip should have bought a Nissan alright...






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AdamR

posted on 18/7/08 at 10:47 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Howlor
I am sure my mate had his rebuilt at Bosch for a reasonable amount although it was a 7 day turn around.

Steve


Steve, could you double check with your mate? Would like to know how much it cost him - I've heard circa £800 for a rebuild plus more for a diesel engineer to fit/calibrate the unit.

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britishtrident

posted on 18/7/08 at 12:18 PM Reply With Quote
My money is on leaky injectors.

On the BMW engine they can be a pig to get out as they corrode in --- tip given to me by a Land-Rover contact is to pour a can of Coke over them and leave for 12 hrs before trying to pull them.





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NS Dev

posted on 18/7/08 at 12:27 PM Reply With Quote
You may well be right!

Is there any way they can leak to outside at the top of the injector as well??

No. 6 is leaking and I cannot for the life of me see where the diesel is coming from!





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NS Dev

posted on 18/7/08 at 02:18 PM Reply With Quote
Found the leak on No. 6 injector, it was a leakoff, but not the pipe!

The "spare" leakoff stub on the injector (as its the end one) has a little rubber plug over it and it was that leaking............

take it that can't let air into the pump??





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Andy W

posted on 18/7/08 at 03:48 PM Reply With Quote
I had a vectra diesel that did what you're describing. I thought it was something serious, turned out to be the blled off pipes had gone porous but you couldn't tell by looking at them. £2 spent a metre of hose and replaced them all problem sorted.

Andy

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