Engine Takes Over 3-4 Seconds To Start (Turns Over)

[Banjomeister]

Hi. I am new to this forum but hope that someone can provide me with some help advice. I purchased a 2005 X5 D SPORT from Leicester SYTNERS last April (2010). It had a full BMWSH and had no issues and had been very well looked after and serviced at regular intervals etc. It had only done 39k miles and when I bought it it was fully serviced, had an MOT done and came with the approved used vehicle 12 month warranty.

I am very happy with the X5 and am pleased to say have had no major issues. It went in a few months back to have a rear parking sensor replaced (under warranty) but nothing else. In the last few weeks the problem I have noticed is when I start the car up. It takes 3-4 seconds of the engine turning over before starting. Also the self level suspension light came on around the same time (although no discernible visible problems with this). However when I switched off the engine and re-started this light went out. The passenger side mirror also would not return back to it's normal position after reverse parking.

So I booked the car into SYTNERS to have these problems examined by them under the warranty (which expires at the end of the month!!!).

They gave me a call this afternoon saying that there was a low voltage from the battery and that they had resolved this. This was why the mirror wouldnt return back. Also they were replacing the starter motor (under warranty) but their diagnostics informed them that there was a problem with the glow plugs and these would be changed but weren't covered by the warranty. The cost to do this £550 inclusive of VAT!!!!!!!!!! I said I wasn't happy obviously and enquired about why they wanted to charge me!! He said that it was a serviceable issue therefore not covered. I'm sure those glow plugs don't need changing for at least 100,000 miles. And the car isn't due a service yet at all. I have driven it only 7k miles since buying it (46799miles) and am concerned why they are saying this. The car was serviced fully when I bought it. I have said to replace the starter motor and they have fully charged up the battery and I will see if the car starts better. He said this was fine and this work may have sorted the starting issue but said the diagnostic equipment was showing a fault with the glow plugs too.

Please help. Don't want to fork out that kind of money. Don't understand why it isn't covered by the warranty. Are SYTNERS trying to squeeze me for this unnecessary work?

Any help and advice would be great.

Thanks

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Generally, glow plugs are treated as "consumables", a bit like spark plugs they only come under warranty if the dealer fitted the wrong ones...

I would agree that it is a glow plug issue but this includes the relay(s) too...

Firsty, test the current/ampage to the plugs... Then...

Take them out and test them in turn by earthing its body and putting a positive to the top connection, if it works it'll burn yer fingers :lol:.

If they all work then bandage your hand and test/change the relay !!!