Does your Z4 start smoothly after....

ZEEFOUR · 03-12-2008, 10:32 AM

I've notice twice now that after my Z4 sat about 4-5 days without starting, that when i started it, it idled really rough, almost like it was running on 3 cylinders and eventually the "check engine" came on. Each time i turned the car off for a few seconds, restarted and it ran fine. Anyone else expirience this? Car is always garaged...

pbdm4k · 03-12-2008, 10:33 AM

Try using some oil stabilizer if you're going to let it sit?

Anyway you can scan the engine for the codes?
If you can get the check engine codes, it would be ideal for diagnosing your problem.

ZEEFOUR · 03-12-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Try using some oil stabilizer if you're going to let it sit?

Anyway you can scan the engine for the codes?
If you can get the check engine codes, it would be ideal for diagnosing your problem.

Its my commuter so i drive it almost everyday, i went to daytona for bike week, so it sat for 5 days. I'll see if any codes are displayed...

mPlasticDesign · 03-12-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEEFOUR

Its my commuter so i drive it almost everyday, i went to daytona for bike week, so it sat for 5 days. I'll see if any codes are displayed...

I let my car sit for 3-4 days @ a time. It struggles for about a second then it stabalizes right away. No check engine.

scottmcke · 03-12-2008, 11:29 AM

Mine can sit for a week or so (not by choice, out of town too much) and I have no troubles starting it when I get back.

Dammmittt · 03-12-2008, 11:51 AM

Mine usually needs some revs when it starts after sitting...which it does a lot of...I rev it up to 3000 for a few seconds and it's usually ok...just needs a little wake up juice...

Hawkeye · 03-12-2008, 11:53 AM

Mine sat for a month and a half ( I started it once in between for the sake of switching the spot on the tires it was sitting on)

I have not experienced any of the said problems either. Every now and then when I start it will fluctuate RPMs. I don't think it is anything to worry about though.

shiyan · 03-12-2008, 04:12 PM

How do you see the engine codes?

em2b96p · 03-12-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

I let my car sit for 3-4 days @ a time. It struggles for about a second then it stabalizes right away. No check engine.

same exact thing with my Z

CherryZz · 03-12-2008, 07:44 PM

i had this happen to my other bmw. when i took it to service, they checked the engine log, and told me that one of the cylinder misfired. i rmb they replaced something.... but can't rmb what exactly.. happened few years ago... so yea... my best advice for you is get it to ur dealer and have them check the logs.

pbdm4k · 03-13-2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiyan

How do you see the engine codes?

OBD2 scanner.

I have one specific to VW's and it works wonders as I can log engine activity while driving, fault codes, throttle body adaptations, etc...

but I've yet to buy one for my BMW. Haven't found one as powerful as my VW one.

ZEEFOUR · 03-13-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

Mine usually needs some revs when it starts after sitting...which it does a lot of...I rev it up to 3000 for a few seconds and it's usually ok...just needs a little wake up juice...

Thanks, I think that may be the cure....

FloridaBoy · 03-13-2008, 10:55 AM

Nope, car always starts fine... even after several days of storage.

Reach · 03-13-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiyan

How do you see the engine codes?

Just get a cheap OBDII scanner, you don't need the super-duper integrated code visual readout ones that are specific to each module.

I got a $35 one off Amazon that I use on all my cars and any of my friends that throw a code. It just reads you the code #, and it comes with a lookup book with universal and manufacturer specific codes to de-code what it really means. Anything more specific, like model specific stuff BMW does, can be looked up on the internet.

All you need is something that can read and clear codes. Clearing them will reset the CEL on your dash. But of course it does not eliminate any underlying problems, so if this is a chronic thing, your code will come back until you fix it.

MMMazing07 · 03-13-2008, 11:30 AM

its called a cold start people. I usually let me car idle down to about 1k before heading out.

roh92cp · 03-15-2008, 05:58 PM

I have an 03 with 45k and I noticed when its cold below 40 degrees it sometimes starts then stalls right out. The second time it starts back up and hold idle. Dealer checked it and said nothing was wrong no codes and it needed injector cleaner. I never did the injector claener as I thought that was total crap and I would have had to change my oil after.

pbdm4k · 03-16-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roh92cp

I have an 03 with 45k and I noticed when its cold below 40 degrees it sometimes starts then stalls right out. The second time it starts back up and hold idle. Dealer checked it and said nothing was wrong no codes and it needed injector cleaner. I never did the injector claener as I thought that was total crap and I would have had to change my oil after.

Why would you need to change your oil after using injector cleaner? Weak start in the cold can be spark plugs if they haven't been changed yet, or maybe car battery isn't providing enough CCA.

ZEEFOUR · 03-17-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Why would you need to change your oil after using injector cleaner? .

I've heard that before, some people say it dillutes the oil, i'm a believer in injector cleaner, been using it since 1988 when carbon buildup was really bad on fuel injected cars. I use it 1K miles before oil changes to be on the safe side....

caseysc · 03-17-2008, 10:42 AM

I often leave mine at the airport for 4 days. Never had a problem.

03-12-2008, 10:32 AM	#1
ZEEFOUR Private First Class 11 Rep 155 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 3.0i, 03 MB E55 AMG Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Does your Z4 start smoothly after.... I've notice twice now that after my Z4 sat about 4-5 days without starting, that when i started it, it idled really rough, almost like it was running on 3 cylinders and eventually the "check engine" came on. Each time i turned the car off for a few seconds, restarted and it ran fine. Anyone else expirience this? Car is always garaged...
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03-12-2008, 10:33 AM	#2
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 75 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Try using some oil stabilizer if you're going to let it sit? Anyway you can scan the engine for the codes? If you can get the check engine codes, it would be ideal for diagnosing your problem. __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5 Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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03-12-2008, 11:29 AM	#5
scottmcke Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Z4 3.0i [7.00]	Mine can sit for a week or so (not by choice, out of town too much) and I have no troubles starting it when I get back.
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03-12-2008, 11:51 AM	#6
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	Mine usually needs some revs when it starts after sitting...which it does a lot of...I rev it up to 3000 for a few seconds and it's usually ok...just needs a little wake up juice... __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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03-12-2008, 11:53 AM	#7
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	Mine sat for a month and a half ( I started it once in between for the sake of switching the spot on the tires it was sitting on) I have not experienced any of the said problems either. Every now and then when I start it will fluctuate RPMs. I don't think it is anything to worry about though. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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03-12-2008, 04:12 PM	#8
shiyan has no social skills 18 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Antwerp, Belgium iTrader: (0)	How do you see the engine codes?
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03-12-2008, 07:44 PM	#10
CherryZz New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	i had this happen to my other bmw. when i took it to service, they checked the engine log, and told me that one of the cylinder misfired. i rmb they replaced something.... but can't rmb what exactly.. happened few years ago... so yea... my best advice for you is get it to ur dealer and have them check the logs.
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03-13-2008, 10:55 AM	#13
FloridaBoy First Lieutenant 19 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.oi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (0)	Nope, car always starts fine... even after several days of storage. __________________ 2005 3.0i, Black Sapphire, SMG, Navigation, Heated leather, iPod w/Dice, Carver Subs, Sport, Foamless SG, 3M Clear Bra, Sirius, 18 inch 107's
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03-13-2008, 11:30 AM	#15
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 181 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	its called a cold start people. I usually let me car idle down to about 1k before heading out.
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03-15-2008, 05:58 PM	#16
roh92cp New Member 1 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 03 3.0 z4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maine iTrader: (0)	I have an 03 with 45k and I noticed when its cold below 40 degrees it sometimes starts then stalls right out. The second time it starts back up and hold idle. Dealer checked it and said nothing was wrong no codes and it needed injector cleaner. I never did the injector claener as I thought that was total crap and I would have had to change my oil after.
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03-17-2008, 10:42 AM	#19
caseysc Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Conv. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Aiken, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Z4 2.5i [8.00]	I often leave mine at the airport for 4 days. Never had a problem.
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