Cold weather issues

friedymeister · 01-25-2014, 11:33 AM

My car (135i convertible w/ manual transmission) has not been faring too well in the single digit temperatures. A cold start sounds as though the engine isn't going to start, cranking several times before finally starting, and the engine sounds pretty weak as well with a lower than normal idle RPM.

The battery is original (3.5 years old now) and I have neither the battery warning light nor has my car been losing the date/time.

In addition, my gearbox is extremely stiff on a cold start such that I have to jam the stick into gears. Has anyone else been having these issues or does anyone have any insight/recommendations? Thanks in advance.

dknl · 01-25-2014, 12:39 PM

From my experience..car batteries dont last that long especially if you don't drive the car often and when u do its for short drives. Have battery tested to see if it it needs to be charged or replaced.

For the stick and engine idle...appears normal in extreme cold...the fluid may need time to circulate and heat up to flow more freely.

Overpar56 · 01-25-2014, 02:12 PM

The stick and clutch are normally stiff at low temps. Every manual had the same symptoms.

My 135 turns over a little slower when it's cold. Have someone run a diag on the battery.

jester17 · 01-26-2014, 05:07 AM

Just curious... have you replaced your HPFP? Could be something completely uncold related, and your symptoms sound HPFP-ish.

friedymeister · 01-26-2014, 08:37 AM

I'm still on the original HPFP.

jester17 · 01-26-2014, 08:45 AM

Have someone check for codes for you... could be the problem.

aerobod · 01-26-2014, 11:12 PM

Also, check your battery capacity. Canadian cars were recalled to fit a 90Ah battery with a higher CCA, compared with the original 70Ah one. This helped quite a bit in the ease of starting in the coldest conditions.

ZIPNBYE · 01-27-2014, 05:59 AM

It's called winter. It's afflicting more of you Americans than normal.

One trick, Mobil-1 0W40. It's top of the list of BMW's approved other oil brands / weights besides their own 5W30.

miiipilot · 01-27-2014, 11:10 AM

Same here.

40000 miles, original battery.

A few extra weak cranks, but then she starts.

The creaking and odd noises are amplified during the single degree temps too. There is a higher pitch air rushing in whine that puzzles me though. And we have another batch of negative degree temps coming tonight and tomorrow. :-(

01-25-2014, 11:33 AM	#1
friedymeister Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i Convertible Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Westchester NY iTrader: (0)	Cold weather issues My car (135i convertible w/ manual transmission) has not been faring too well in the single digit temperatures. A cold start sounds as though the engine isn't going to start, cranking several times before finally starting, and the engine sounds pretty weak as well with a lower than normal idle RPM. The battery is original (3.5 years old now) and I have neither the battery warning light nor has my car been losing the date/time. In addition, my gearbox is extremely stiff on a cold start such that I have to jam the stick into gears. Has anyone else been having these issues or does anyone have any insight/recommendations? Thanks in advance.
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01-25-2014, 12:39 PM	#2
dknl Private First Class 1 Rep 101 Posts Drives: none Join Date: May 2012 Location: here iTrader: (0)	From my experience..car batteries dont last that long especially if you don't drive the car often and when u do its for short drives. Have battery tested to see if it it needs to be charged or replaced. For the stick and engine idle...appears normal in extreme cold...the fluid may need time to circulate and heat up to flow more freely.
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01-25-2014, 02:12 PM	#3
Overpar56 Proud AARP member in good standing 28 Rep 635 Posts Drives: Me nuts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Skyline, Chile iTrader: (0)	The stick and clutch are normally stiff at low temps. Every manual had the same symptoms. My 135 turns over a little slower when it's cold. Have someone run a diag on the battery. __________________ 2012 135i DCT, Lemans Blue/black leather, PPK1, PE, Stoptech Sport rotors and Sport pads, unhealthy crackles and burbles and an aging demonic driver.
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01-26-2014, 05:07 AM	#4
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Just curious... have you replaced your HPFP? Could be something completely uncold related, and your symptoms sound HPFP-ish.
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01-26-2014, 08:37 AM	#5
friedymeister Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i Convertible Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Westchester NY iTrader: (0)	I'm still on the original HPFP.
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01-26-2014, 08:45 AM	#6
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Have someone check for codes for you... could be the problem.
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01-26-2014, 11:12 PM	#7
aerobod Car Geek 3626 Rep 3,593 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Also, check your battery capacity. Canadian cars were recalled to fit a 90Ah battery with a higher CCA, compared with the original 70Ah one. This helped quite a bit in the ease of starting in the coldest conditions.
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01-27-2014, 05:59 AM	#8
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	It's called winter. It's afflicting more of you Americans than normal. One trick, Mobil-1 0W40. It's top of the list of BMW's approved other oil brands / weights besides their own 5W30. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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01-27-2014, 11:10 AM	#9
miiipilot Lieutenant Colonel 519 Rep 1,501 Posts Drives: 2024 M2 Brooklyn Grey 6mt Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	Same here. 40000 miles, original battery. A few extra weak cranks, but then she starts. The creaking and odd noises are amplified during the single degree temps too. There is a higher pitch air rushing in whine that puzzles me though. And we have another batch of negative degree temps coming tonight and tomorrow. :-( __________________ miiipilot '24 M2 Brooklyn Grey, 6mt, Bi-Color, Black M-Color seats, '16 MG M2, DCT, Exec. Took Delivery 4/30/16 (Sold)
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