Start Up Issues.

[BM-DRIFTER]

Hi
I've got this annoying problem on start up.
For some reason it always takes about 5 seconds of cranking before my engine catches...and when it does, on bad occasions, it slowly coughs into life accompanied by a cloud of black smoke from the exhaust pipe..on other occasions it will start fine but only after those 5 seconds of cranking.
Furthering my annoyance is that on REALLY cold mornings it will start perfectly..single crank and beautiful revving....what's going on.

I've had some suspicions as to what it might be....but i just want to be fully sure.

Can anyone help figure out this dilemma.

Oh and this is in a 1986 325e....

[geeky]

I'm kinda in the same boat. I have a 1987 325is, new battery as of last week, alternator works perfectly, etc.

But it takes about 3-5 seconds of cranking before it catches and idles perfectly and on REALLY cold out side temperature start ups, I need to give it gas to have it start and then the idle fluctuates for a couple seconds.

I'm thinking it might be the "c191" port, but I'm not sure if that applies to pre-88's, like you and me.

[24v325is]

my 87 325is does the exact same thing.and it idles like shit for like a min then its fine. outside temp dosnt make a difference

[BM-DRIFTER]

I've heard that erratic idling comes from a malfunctioning coolant temp sensor...but in an E30 it could come from multiple places...some goes for my star up issue, my biggest hunch is the fuel pump..but that's expensive hence my current plea for help from the interwebs.

[Dj Buttchug]

check your fuel pressure regulator. the diaphram may be broken

[jlevie]

For the OP's car, a bad time-temperature switch or cold start valve are possibilities.

In geekys case I'd first suspect intake leaks. Like for 24v325is's car.

[24v325is]

alright cool ill check that out