Hi my 2007 R52 sidewalk is starting sluggishly in the mornings. Runs fine once started and generally starts subsequently during trips during the day.

The battery is at least 4 years old and am having that tested today

Losing fuel pressure overnight might mean a fuel pump on its way out

Ignition sensor? I think that would be consistent.

Any and all ideas welcome

Thanks

SS

 

Guessing you are going to find out it is the battery....
To rule out/in the fuel system...you can turn the key to "on" but not start for a few moments, then start...see if it fires faster or even worse (drippy injector)....
Folks sometimes find it takes a couple tanks of gas in the fall for the car to adjust to winter fuel blends...not sure if you drive lots or not...

 

thanks Zippy Hopes are it's the battery. Just strange that it is normal during the day (4-5) starts.

Am I correct in that your thoughts are that by putting juice to the car that you are thinking the fuel system is losing pressure? I would not have thought of that. That could also be fuel pump I would imagine as well :( that does not make me feel good inside as most are a PITA.

PS we do drive it every day at least 30-40 miles

 

What can happen is an injector can get "drippy", letting the fuel pressure on the rail bleed off...and drip the fuel into the cylinder...
If very bad, the start can be hard, and kind if rumbly, till the leftover fuel is burnt off,.....know jda similar to a car with very low compression on on cylinder, but more uneven as the liquid fuel vaporizes...in a " warm"motor, the drips evoprate, and act to prime it...
Letting the car sit in the " on" position let's the fuel pump run...and let's the rail repressurize...
Wondering if ut was the battery, cause a dead cell will result in a battery that discharges on it own...so the longer it sits...the harder it is to start...so first start is hard or may not happen...later seems normal...

 

First let me say you are one smart cookie Zippy! Greatly appreciate you taking me through this.

Not ruled out the battery yet but I did put the key to on let it sit and then it did start right up. So Now I must ask how serious is this mystery injector, anyway to diagnose which one or given the age and milage (91K) should I just replace them all and call it a day?

Of course issues never happen in July when My garage is fun to work in.

look forward to your advice this has been a very helpful discussion

 

Sometimes a bit of "gunk" or carbon can get stuck...remember an injector is actually mechanical ..
Drop a bottle of an injector cleaner like techron (made by chevron) in the tank...it might free it up...a couple tanks of fuel will tell!!
The Siemens injectors on the mini's are pretty good, but anything can given enough to time...

 

Off to pepboys tomorrow great suggestion that can't hurt

thanks again

SS