Hard start after sitting overnight or eight to ten hours

Tiny
VIK0417
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 BMW E46
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 116 MILES
BMW 316i E46. My problem is that my car is starting very hard after sitting overnight or eight to ten hours. It just cranks but not turn over, I have to crank it five or six times before it starts. When it starts, it running with only three cylinder for three or four seconds, then it goes to normal running.
Fuel pump is drops the fuel overnight, but when I turn the key on, it builds the pressure quickly, I think it is okay.
Fuel filter with pressure regulator is replaced, problem still persists.
I feel low performance while accelerate. Strange fact is when the weather is warm outside or the car sits in sunshine, the hard start problem is happens earlier after four or five hours. When it sits in the cold garage, it starts easier.
When the mechanic tried to start the car many times (without moving and got warm), and then let it sit for two days, it started up first time normally. But in daily use It produces the startup error.

I hope you can give me advice about this problem, what I should check or try to replace to solve this error. Sorry for my bad English.
Viktor

Edit: There are no error codes, while driving there is no noises, no stalling. While cranking, tachometer is moving.
Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 9:04 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
How do you know if the fuel pressure is okay? Did you put a fuel gauge on the fuel line? If not, that is the first step to test your fuel system.

Another quick test would be to remove your spark plugs and inspect for possible flooding due to fouled plugs and/or leaking fuel injectors. If one or more of the spark plugs are wet after you shut the car off that means that cylinder is not firing correctly.
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Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
VIK0417
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your reply. Yes, the fuel pressure were checked on the check valve on the valve cover. Spark plugs are replaced by mechanic, he did not say that the old plugs were wet. Yes, flood is possible, after a hard start there is strong petrol smell around the car. If this is the correct line to solve the problem, what can cause this? Is leaking injector possible if there is no any symptom while driving? A leaking injector can cause lower performance? Rich mixture? Engine is spins up but there is no power. I think it is a mechanical problem. Longer it sits, harder to start.
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Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
VIK0417
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Edit: Idle is Okay. Once I watched a video about an E46 with hard start up. It was very similar to mine. The up-loader said that his car starts harder when the weather is warm outside. Head gasket replace solved his problem. Is it a possible reason for my problem if there is no white smoke and other common signs of broken head gasket?
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Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,567 POSTS
I don't think a head gasket will cause the problem. But to be sure remove all of the spark plugs and then pressure test the cooling system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Then crank the engine over (Stand back) and see if any coolant is forced from the spark plug holes.

Here is also a guide on hard starting repair.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, June 16th, 2017 AT 12:15 PM

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