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      05-12-2013, 01:42 AM   #1
joylove
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2008 BMW X3 3.0si N52 slow turn over.

Hi there

I have a problem with my N52 engine that I'm hoping someone can help with ideas.

The car, especially when cold, is very slow to turn over. It turns over like it has a flat battery. Roughly one time in 10 it fails to fire up and you need to retry.

Since I only bought it in November at 98k, I was thinking it needed some 100k service items. It's had

Quality AGM battery (the larger one, car has winter pack)
6*NGK iridium plugs
6*Bosch coil packs
Fresh quality fully synthetic oil and filter
Bosch Air filter
Battery GND fastened


The next maintenance steps I was planning was new O2 sensors. I was also thinking about checking the GND straps to the engine and battery. I'm hoping it's not the starter motor.

The car had full BMW service history and gets used often for short and medium length drives. the Mini parked next to it gets driven less and starts much better.

Are there any N52 issues that might cause a turnover that feels like you have a flat battery?

Thanks.
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      05-12-2013, 02:05 PM   #2
joylove
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I posted a video of the slow turn over. Some days it's much slower, like a flat battery, but it does start. Feels like there is a slight misfire too when cold, as well as trouble struggling to find the right idle point. This is my wife's main car so I didn't know about the misfire.



EDIT:having watched the video back, sorry the sound is so poor. It's better at starting the second time.
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      05-13-2013, 06:27 AM   #3
Derek8819
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I do not see anything abnormal. My wifes X3 sounds identical to this when it cranks. Yeah, it's maybe a little slower than some other cars, but I think completely normal to the X3.
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      05-13-2013, 10:23 AM   #4
joylove
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It's not that bad in the video, some days it's as bad as having a nearly dead battery, like you left the lights on all night.

I've have BMW I6 engines for several years it's a peach of an engine, I like to think I know what one that is starting correctly sounds like, and when it's sick and needs some TLC.

Some days it takes a few extra turns of the engine to fire, on occasion it stumbles but won't start.

Someone recommended checking the SAP pipes for cracks to improve the idle fluctuations. I'd like more info on the slow turnover though.
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      05-13-2013, 11:07 AM   #5
Derek8819
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Mine exibits the same symptoms on cold mornings sometime and also doesnt not crank, maybe 1 in 100 times. BMW has had mine more than once with no cause found. I have ridden in a friends X3 that does the same, this is why I believe it to be normal. Maybe it has a small starter or something due to the X-drive, maybe it needed to be physically smaller to fit.... Who knows.....
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      05-13-2013, 11:16 AM   #6
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That's interesting thanks, later on I'll nip over tho realoem and crossreference the starter motor to see if it's different on X3.
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      05-13-2013, 06:27 PM   #7
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Seems to ne the same starter for all N52 equipped cars from E60 to F30.

http://realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=12412344243
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      03-18-2014, 11:33 AM   #8
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Slow turn-over

It's the starter. We have a 2008 X3, did the same thing. Eventually the starter quit completely.

Save yourself the aggravation of being stranded with a vehicle that won't start, then paying a tow bill. Have the starter replaced.
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      03-18-2014, 11:57 AM   #9
joylove
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Thanks forgot to update this thread. You are absolutely right. First 100F day of summer and it left me stranded, got towed, refurbed Bocsh starter at ~$170 + 4 hours labour. (Intake manifold must come of for N52)

Starts just fine now.
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      03-23-2014, 11:34 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joylove View Post
Thanks forgot to update this thread. You are absolutely right. First 100F day of summer and it left me stranded, got towed, refurbed Bocsh starter at ~$170 + 4 hours labour. (Intake manifold must come of for N52)

Starts just fine now.
Glad you got it working. I just helped a buddy with the exact same issue. We did the starter in his garage and it was a PITA to get the intake and associated electronic connectors off. Took us a few hours but ultimately got the job done and his X3 starts just fine now. I have an M54 X3 (2006) and will likely have the same issue at some point too.
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      12-04-2014, 01:32 PM   #11
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i hope BMW will issue a service bulletin for this issue (or even maybe in our dreams, a recall).
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