Rough running in cold weather

Live4USMC · 02-01-2011, 09:12 AM

Last night I took my fiance out for dinner in the 135i. The temperatures here in Colorado were hovering around -5 degrees with a wind chill in the -10 to -15 degree range. After dinner, I went outside and started the car and noticed it immediately had a very rough idle. The car felt like it was running on 4 or 5 cylinders and had very little power. The check engine light also came on. I drove the car for about 100 feet before I pulled over and turned it off and turned the car back on. The car then ran fine and the CEL was off. Anyone have any thought on what could have caused this? Early signs of my HPFP going out? Something related to the extreme cold? I did a search and didn't come up with anything. The closest BMW dealer is 120 miles away so I would like to get an idea of what might be wrong before I bring it in. Car is completely stock right now.
Thanks in advance,
Sean

Augenbrauezug · 02-01-2011, 09:28 AM

I would let the car run a little longer without driving it, once it warms up the cold shouldn't be an issue.

romak47 · 02-01-2011, 09:39 AM

I cant remember specifics but I remember hearing something about octane levels and altitude and temperature are closely related to a well running car. You live in high altitude relatively.

What octane you using? May have to go up or down in octane to run smoother. Id ask Terry Burger since you have a JB3, hes helped people w/ issues just like this.

I remember reading about a guy living in Mexico in the opposite climates as you, he had to do something w/ his tune that Terry helped out with..

Live4USMC · 02-01-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romak47

I cant remember specifics but I remember hearing something about octane levels and altitude and temperature are closely related to a well running car. You live in high altitude relatively.

What octane you using? May have to go up or down in octane to run smoother. Id ask Terry Burger since you have a JB3, hes helped people w/ issues just like this.

I remember reading about a guy living in Mexico in the opposite climates as you, he had to do something w/ his tune that Terry helped out with..

I pulled the Jb3 a few weeks ago for service and since I have been waiting for the JB4 upgrade from N54tuning I haven't bothered to put it back in. I run 91 octane in the car which is the highest available in my part of Colorado.

romak47 · 02-01-2011, 10:09 AM

maybe not an octane thing.

I bet it is your HPFP goin out. Any way for you to check what the CEL code kicked out?

Live4USMC · 02-01-2011, 10:15 AM

Unfortunately no, I don't have a cable.

new2the3 · 02-02-2011, 03:47 PM

Sounds like a HPFP failure, the code will be stored in the car for when you bring it in to the dealer. What part of CO are you in?

Maine1 · 02-03-2011, 09:26 PM

Had the very same problem - turned out to be the injectors. They changed all 6 and it has been fine since. Have yours been changed in the recent recall yet?

Live4USMC · 02-04-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2the3

Sounds like a HPFP failure, the code will be stored in the car for when you bring it in to the dealer. What part of CO are you in?

I live in Sterling, CO and as far as I know my injectors are stock. I will have them check it out the next time I take the car in for service.

Mak135i · 02-04-2011, 08:50 PM

I had the same problem as soon as I moved to NW IN from SC. After a few weeks and 2 trips to different dealers, HPFP, 2 injectors, spark plugs were changed. Then got new software update. The car was transformed. No problems at all even in 0 degree weather in Chicago. Now I have the JB4 (map 1 due to snow tires) and still running well.

02-01-2011, 09:12 AM	#1
Live4USMC Private First Class 39 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 50i M Sport/2016 340XI Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: 5280 Feet Above Sea Level iTrader: (0)	Rough running in cold weather Last night I took my fiance out for dinner in the 135i. The temperatures here in Colorado were hovering around -5 degrees with a wind chill in the -10 to -15 degree range. After dinner, I went outside and started the car and noticed it immediately had a very rough idle. The car felt like it was running on 4 or 5 cylinders and had very little power. The check engine light also came on. I drove the car for about 100 feet before I pulled over and turned it off and turned the car back on. The car then ran fine and the CEL was off. Anyone have any thought on what could have caused this? Early signs of my HPFP going out? Something related to the extreme cold? I did a search and didn't come up with anything. The closest BMW dealer is 120 miles away so I would like to get an idea of what might be wrong before I bring it in. Car is completely stock right now. Thanks in advance, Sean
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02-01-2011, 09:39 AM	#3
romak47 Captain 53 Rep 941 Posts Drives: like a bat out of hell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I cant remember specifics but I remember hearing something about octane levels and altitude and temperature are closely related to a well running car. You live in high altitude relatively. What octane you using? May have to go up or down in octane to run smoother. Id ask Terry Burger since you have a JB3, hes helped people w/ issues just like this. I remember reading about a guy living in Mexico in the opposite climates as you, he had to do something w/ his tune that Terry helped out with.. __________________ JB4, DCI, Digi boost, CSL eyelids, 5% tint, KW v2's. Bastuck 85mm quad w/ berk resonated mids, LED int ltg, Perf SSK, CF int trim, 19" SF-71 rims, CDV mod, BMS OCC, ER+tial charge pipe. AR DP's, Helix IC,meth, drilled slotted rotors
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02-01-2011, 10:09 AM	#5
romak47 Captain 53 Rep 941 Posts Drives: like a bat out of hell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	maybe not an octane thing. I bet it is your HPFP goin out. Any way for you to check what the CEL code kicked out? __________________ JB4, DCI, Digi boost, CSL eyelids, 5% tint, KW v2's. Bastuck 85mm quad w/ berk resonated mids, LED int ltg, Perf SSK, CF int trim, 19" SF-71 rims, CDV mod, BMS OCC, ER+tial charge pipe. AR DP's, Helix IC,meth, drilled slotted rotors
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02-01-2011, 10:15 AM	#6
Live4USMC Private First Class 39 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 50i M Sport/2016 340XI Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: 5280 Feet Above Sea Level iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately no, I don't have a cable.
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02-02-2011, 03:47 PM	#7
new2the3 Colonel 378 Rep 2,067 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Competition Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a HPFP failure, the code will be stored in the car for when you bring it in to the dealer. What part of CO are you in? __________________ 2020 X3MC 2009 135i: AW/CR Aluminum Trim, 6 speed, M-Sport, Premium, Heated Seats, Ipod, BMW Performance Pedals, BMW Performance SSK, BMW Performance Exhaust, BMW Performance Grills E93 M3 FSB
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02-03-2011, 09:26 PM	#8
Maine1 Private First Class 4 Rep 172 Posts Drives: M235xi Join Date: May 2008 Location: Scarborough, Maine iTrader: (0)	Had the very same problem - turned out to be the injectors. They changed all 6 and it has been fine since. Have yours been changed in the recent recall yet?
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02-04-2011, 08:50 PM	#10
Mak135i First Lieutenant 6 Rep 340 Posts Drives: 911 GTS, X3M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (2)	I had the same problem as soon as I moved to NW IN from SC. After a few weeks and 2 trips to different dealers, HPFP, 2 injectors, spark plugs were changed. Then got new software update. The car was transformed. No problems at all even in 0 degree weather in Chicago. Now I have the JB4 (map 1 due to snow tires) and still running well. __________________ 2019 911 GTS 2017 M4 CV 2017 Mini JCW
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