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Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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deadbimmer
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Jan 4, 2022, 7:46 AM
Post #1 of 12
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Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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As title says, having an issue getting this thing to run. It's an 06 BMW 530xi that was left in a relative's driveway for some time. I added gas, bit of oil, hooked up a new battery (computers, lights, etc seem to be functioning), but it won't crank. See video here for a recording of the noise:
https://youtube.com/shorts/NZgKbg9WULA
Is this likely to be an alternator issue? Appreciate any advice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2022, 8:23 AM
Post #2 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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I could hear what I thought was a strong click of starter. So my guess is engine is too tight for it. Don't wreck starter trying too hard yet.
Try this: Turn the engine by hand finding a crank bolt most all have can put a socket and long breaker bar type action just make it turn back and forth.
MAKE SURE KEY IS OFF so it doesn't start doing that.
Now go back and try key again. If not try with all in place another vehicle running with jumpers attached left on for 10 minutes or so. ALL CAUTION ON BATTERIES working hard make gases that explode AIR OUT THE AREA well.
It just may crank with more amps yet not run yet.
I'm guessing on engine is stuck by "gun" rust on rings to cylinder walls just enough that it can't overcome it??
If it works - change out oil after it warms up and hope it survived sitting a year isn't too long but is too long if condensation built up inside engine my guess is it did?
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2022, 9:30 AM
Post #3 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Sounds like a seized engine to me but confirm that by cranking by hand as Tom suggested. Just don't be surprised if you can't turn it.
It would help to know some history here as why it was parked and for how long.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2022, 10:31 AM
Post #4 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Oh - up top OP was thinking alternator! No, those are to charge up battery after initial start up AND run items while engine is running. If all those things were missing isn't the point yet it isn't turning this engine. From there who knows what else it's going to need?
Longer term just sitting this is does cause issues if it was a new unsold car even.
If you seriously want to get this back to great shape more things will be needed forget those now.
I FORGOT TO SAY IF IT STARTS AND RUNS BEWARE THAT BRAKES MAY NOT STOP THE THING WELL THOSE TOO MAY NEED WORK BUT SHOULD WORK AFTER A COUPLE STOPS SEE THE RUST THRU MOST WHEELS ON THE ROTORS NOW HAS TO WEAR OFF OR MAY NOT STOP SO WELL.
Other if crazy for it is take out plugs and use a light squirt (not too much) of a burnable penetrating oil? A scope to see inside if you go nuts will show what I/we think is the trouble now, Tom
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deadbimmer
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Jan 4, 2022, 10:39 AM
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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The engine turned over easy enough by hand, when cranking on the starter it moves very slowly and not smooth. Same clicking noise even with battery attached for some time.
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deadbimmer
New User
Jan 4, 2022, 10:52 AM
Post #6 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Sounds like it's going to be more trouble than it's worth—was mostly seeing if I'd get lucky and be able to get it running with minimal effort but as I'm moving across the country in a few months I think I'll just wait it out and buy a car after I move. Don't want to sink any money into it at this point
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2022, 11:57 AM
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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GREAT! It turn at all! So you don't really want it but now it seems OK to continue and stop when it plain runs.
Sell it as it is if not wanted by you but TELL or market it knowing this history is only fair.
> Starter struggles to that machine gun clicking is both because engine is sticky (no oil yet up or on cylinder walls) it could behave like that till it runs long enough but not too fast.
> You want plenty of amps as mentioned but don't crank it too long. Count seconds no more than 5! Starter is working so hard it could burn it up. Let it cool - walk away for later.
I'm trying to save you any damage for a car you could sell and not have to put huge bucks in now wrecking things.
Tell us what it does but take your time just ask if I confused you bet this can work may take some tricks for first start WHEN starter cranks engine at a normal speed.
I'd like it if you even misted inside plug holes with WD-40 as said NOT overdo it!
Carry on I want a win with this thing :-)
Tom
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deadbimmer
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Jan 5, 2022, 7:57 AM
Post #8 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Tom still not clear on how to get it started in the first place... Bought a brand new 1000 amp battery and cranked by hand but no luck, do I just sit there for an hour turning the key for 5-second increments until it goes?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 5, 2022, 8:58 AM
Post #9 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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If the engine turns freely by hand, then the starter is likely the problem.
If the starter is accessible, try tapping on it lightly with a hammer while a helper is trying to start it. If it suddenly cranks, that confirms the starter being the problem.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 5, 2022, 9:09 AM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Quote you back a couple ">The engine turned over easy enough by hand<"
That was just to see if the engine 'turned' at all or frozen solid. Not to start it - OK?
Now charge that 1000 amp battery that you put in it. That's a lot but new are not fully charged up plus you've tried a few times + maybe lights were on and so forth.
They have basic slow chargers are cheap you'll want it for other things someday - small, cheap "charger/maintainter would do or less even.
You could leave another (older the better) car/truck running and leave jumper cables (obsolete now really borrow some) could waste a lot a gas let the donor car run it would charge up both. If yours and willing leave it attached when trying the BMW again later.
Other while here is just get a cheap can of starting fluid Wally -World it's still just a couple buck. DANGEROUS STUFF!
When you try to crank next time and expect it to before trying spray some under air intake filter and buckle that all up again.
Now go for it by key or however this requests starter motor. If it cranks worth a damn it should start and may stall. That's good news so try that much and hit back or try again on your own till it will stay running.
I WANT TO STRESS NOT ASKING STARTER MOTOR ON BMW TO TRY TOO LONG IF THIS DOESN'T WORK RIGHT AWAY!! It's about like a dead short trying gets smoking hot inside quickly - count no more than 5 seconds if slow cranking on its own - OK?
It will do something with that but must crank at least OK speed or stop let's think of what's next if so,
Tom
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 5, 2022, 9:13 AM
Post #11 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Hammer's idea is great too. Just don't smash/bust a starter doing that, T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 5, 2022, 10:26 AM
Post #12 of 12
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Re: Trying to start a BMW sitting for over a year
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Hold off on that starting fluid until you have resolved the engine cranking issue and still have a problem. That shouldn't be necessary and can be dangerous if you don't know how to use that stuff.
Right now you just have a starter issue and starting fluid isn't going to help that.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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