[MartinHattingh]

Jeepers, all these stories sound terrible! Hopefully everyone managed to get things sorted safely....

I'm very lucky here in Cape Town, for us "cold" is 5deg C in winter, at the moment it's around 30deg C.

[Tjalle]

Very probably ice in the fuel lines. There should be some kind of additive for that in your region. Also, as said before, keep your tank as full as possible.

If I lived in that kind of environment - and had no garage - I would install a block heater.

[plymjack]

Not heard the tip about keeping tank full, but makes sense and is very helpful... thanks.

[barcelona]

Originally Posted by plymjack

Not heard the tip about keeping tank full, but makes sense and is very helpful... thanks.

We should thank you as I am one of many of 18k views that have accessed your posting training manuals. Most useful.

[Mingstar88]

update:

they were able to replicate the issue.
ISSUE: SOOT DEPOSITS ON SPARK PLUGS
they cleaned it up and issue resolved

i'm glad this was done while i have warranty. just wondering what would have caused it and makes me question the reliability of the car.

thanks for the help everyone

[wingless]

The spark plugs are not supposed to foul. There is a root cause why that problem happened. The root cause should be identified and fixed so the problem doesn't recur.

Did they provide the stored error codes? Can you please post those here?

My guess would be a dirty air filter.

Here is information on spark plug soot deposits.




3 + 4 Soot - carbon fouled

Insulator nose, electrodes & spark-plug shell covered with velvet-like, dull black soot deposits.

Cause : Incorrect mixture setting (carburetor, fuel injection) mixture too rich, air filter very dirty, automatic choke not in order or manual choke pulled too long, mainly short distance driving, spark plug too cold, heat range code number too low

Effect : Misfiring, poor cold-starting performance.
Remedy : Set mixture & cold-starting device correctly, check air filter.

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by wingless

.

good post, thanks

soot deposit on spark plugs d1214-aekn55xx-99-507

how hard is it to check air filter my self?

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

good post, thanks

soot deposit on spark plugs d1214-aekn55xx-99-507

how hard is it to check air filter my self?

That is surprising (spark plugs as the problem) for the air filter the owners manual has step by step on the air filter, easy to do.

[wingless]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

good post, thanks

soot deposit on spark plugs d1214-aekn55xx-99-507

how hard is it to check air filter my self?

Glad to help!

Here is a listing of BMW trouble codes.

The format is P1083 to P1780.

Could you please request, obtain and post the error code for this problem?

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by Paul_R_Canada

Thats surprising, the owners manual has step by step on the air filter, easy to do.

i dont see anything about air filter on 2011_X3_OwnersManual_with_iDrive.pdf manual. the air filter was replaced july 2013 (at 19000km, now 42000km). part # 64 31 9 312 318

i'll get it replaced again under warranty this june or july.

[barcelona]

Note: What I posted below is different from this post.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=699030



Double check part # ( all 3 are different). this is for 35i.

Q: was the part # per your invoice & was it the 19k km change free/warranty.


01 Intake silencer 1 13717583725

02 Air filter element 1 13717571355 $31.24


03 screw for plastic 50X34 6 13717571358 $1.11

04 Bracket, intake silencer 1 12527574100 $7.82

05 Fillister head screw TS 5X16 3 51417067920 $0.39

06 Bump stop 3 13717571356 $3.41

07 Intake duct 1 13717601874

08 Bump stop 1 13742756324 $3.41

09 Bush 1 13742756323 $1.43

10 Countersunk screw M6X25 1 34317680001 $5.65

11 Intake duct 1 13717601869

12 Torx-bolt with washer M6X20 1 51113412068 $1.70

13 Intake manifold 1 13717811020

[Mingstar88]

thanks, i should definitely check the air filter. honestly 2 years change is too long even if mileage is not high. roads are dirty and air not clean anywhere.

[Mingstar88]

spoke to my indy mechanic, he brought up a good point.
he advised me to unplug my dashcam that's plugged into my 12v. also told me that booster the car might have fouled the spark plugs since we tried to start it multiple times with failure.

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

spoke to my indy mechanic, he brought up a good point.
he advised me to unplug my dashcam that's plugged into my 12v. also told me that booster the car might have fouled the spark plugs since we tried to start it multiple times with failure.

Well if thats the case your back where you started the boost should have started the car - so why didnt it start.... Any chance you can get codes on it?

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by Paul_R_Canada

Well if thats the case your back where you started the boost should have started the car - so why didnt it start.... Any chance you can get codes on it?

boost might not have helped because spark was already fouled since i tried more than once starting without the boost.

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

boost might not have helped because spark was already fouled since i tried more than once starting without the boost.

Its possible ... but im not sure im buying it as the problem.... Would like to know for sure as im sure you would...

[pokerface]

MingStar, did you get electrical power when you turned on Accessory (ie., radio, xenons all worked)? If so, the dashcam wouldn't be the problem.

Did they replace the spark plugs? We've had a few BMWs over the years and gummed up spark plugs have never been a problem given our relatively short driving profile.

[wingless]

Originally Posted by wingless

Could you please request, obtain and post the error code for this problem?

Any luck getting the error codes?

There was widespread concern about my vehicle being subjected to the coldest local temperature in four years. I can now report that my vehicle started just fine after sitting overnight in 40°F (4.4°C) temperature. Whew...

[wingless]

Originally Posted by pokerface

Did they replace the spark plugs? We've had a few BMWs over the years and gummed up spark plugs have never been a problem given our relatively short driving profile.

The BEST process is to swap (not clean) the spark plugs. Did they swap or clean the plugs?

Most modern plugs are plated w/ Platinum or another rare metal. Cleaning removes that plating.

Any luck w/ understanding the root cause for the plug fouling?

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by wingless

The BEST process is to swap (not clean) the spark plugs. Did they swap or clean the plugs?

Most modern plugs are plated w/ Platinum or another rare metal. Cleaning removes that plating.

Any luck w/ understanding the root cause for the plug fouling?

they just cleaned it..i hate these dealerships..that's another story.

root cause of fouling was not provided by them
my assumption is that i tried starting it too many times before getting a jump start which is too late.

[wingless]

Originally Posted by pokerface

Did they replace the spark plugs? We've had a few BMWs over the years and gummed up spark plugs have never been a problem given our relatively short driving profile.

Originally Posted by wingless

The BEST process is to swap (not clean) the spark plugs. Did they swap or clean the plugs?

Most modern plugs are plated w/ Platinum or another rare metal. Cleaning removes that plating.

Any luck w/ understanding the root cause for the plug fouling?

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

they just cleaned it..

root cause of fouling was not provided by them
my assumption is that i tried starting it too many times before getting a jump start which is too late.

The BMW Factory Service Manual defines appropriate and acceptable repair procedures. The FSM either says cleaning is acceptable for this problem, or it does not.

If you are not happy w/ this repair, then ask them to show you the BMW repair procedure document.

Did you get the fault codes?

[Hornet_Rider]

had this happen.

1- Immediate fix is exit the car (yes it is crazy cold), then lock it and walk away for 15 minutes (key fob has to be away from car for the car to reset.

2- wait 15 minutes. not 10. it wont restart.

3- unlock and start.

Fix was done last year, then is a SIB out there. (they can call the Quebec City dealership, they know exaclty the problem

It is a relay that has to be changed.

The Regina dealership also called me (since I moved there) to offer the recall but it was done already (6 months ago)

It is a know problem and it will always restart fine the next day. It happens with -30 temperature and below, even if car is warm.

It happen to me twice putting gas in the car after driving it a long time, and a couple more time just stopping at the convenience store. Since the relay change, many -30 temperature and no problem.

Good luck.