BMW X1 20i (N20) stuttering & stalling on cold start

[AussieX1]

Hey guys, i need some help please. I have an E84 2012 X1 2.0 with the N20 motor. The engine stalls on cold start and the revs bounce around for the first 60 seconds. If i put it into drive or reverse within those 60 seconds it then stalls. I have changed the following items with no improvement:

1. Vanos solenoids

2. High pressure fuel pump

3. Spark plugs + Coils

4. Injectors (plus coded new injectors)

5. Upper cylinder clean

6. Engine oil + filter

7. Battery (Genuine + coded)

Car has 68,000kms and oil has been changed every 6,000kms.

Has anyone experienced this problem or has any ideas of what could be causing the issue?

[Killerfish2012]

O2 sensors? Honestly you need to try and pull the codes with a code reader.

[AussieX1]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

O2 sensors? Honestly you need to try and pull the codes with a code reader.

I thought that faulty O2 sensor would cause issues with driveability. The car drives really well and is not using any more fuel than normal.

I've diagnosed with NCS and Carly and no codes are coming up.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by AussieX1

Hey guys, i need some help please. I have an E84 2012 X1 2.0 with the N20 motor. The engine stalls on cold start and the revs bounce around for the first 60 seconds. If i put it into drive or reverse within those 60 seconds it then stalls. I have changed the following items with no improvement:

1. Vanos solenoids

2. High pressure fuel pump

3. Spark plugs + Coils

4. Injectors (plus coded new injectors)

5. Upper cylinder clean

6. Engine oil + filter

7. Battery (Genuine + coded)

Car has 68,000kms and oil has been changed every 6,000kms.

Has anyone experienced this problem or has any ideas of what could be causing the issue?

I had similar issues on cold and in my case was the gasoline. I hope that you never put unapproved low octane in that tank. Fill it with 94 or higher in your cold season, eventually mix it with top Shell. Don't know what octane you aussies have but the bigger the better. Also BMW has a very gasoline additive that will help as well; ask the parts department.
many BMW's experience that issue.
Europa has 98 octane, Canada has 94 as a high octane. As soon as I put 94 (as per my mechanic suggestions) the problem was gone.
Once you do that, run it for few miles as fast as you can to clean the things around. Find an empty road and go FAAAAST!

Welcome to the forum.

[AussieX1]

Originally Posted by Tracus

I had similar issues on cold and in my case was the gasoline. I hope that you never put unapproved low octane in that tank. Fill it with 94 or higher in your cold season, eventually mix it with top Shell. Don't know what octane you aussies have but the bigger the better. Also BMW has a very gasoline additive that will help as well; ask the parts department.
many BMW's experience that issue.
Europa has 98 octane, Canada has 94 as a high octane. As soon as I put 94 (as per my mechanic suggestions) the problem was gone.
Once you do that, run it for few miles as fast as you can to clean the things around. Find an empty road and go FAAAAST!

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the advice! In Australia we have 98 Octane and that's what i've always been using. I also use the Redline SI-1 Additive every 5,000kms. I've tried BP, Shell and Caltex and it still does the same things.

I think i need to double check if i installed the right injectors haha. I recall in 2012 there was a changeover from EU5 to EU6.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by AussieX1

Thanks for the advice! In Australia we have 98 Octane and that's what i've always been using. I also use the Redline SI-1 Additive every 5,000kms. I've tried BP, Shell and Caltex and it still does the same things.

I think i need to double check if i installed the right injectors haha. I recall in 2012 there was a changeover from EU5 to EU6.

Hmm, interesting. I was sure is the gasoline.
Please come back and let us know your findings. I am curios as well!

[Kevlar74]

Had the same symptoms.
Before I purchased a code reader I changed the plugs and coils.
No change so I tried better plugs and fuel cleaner. No change.

Code Reader reading faulty O2 sensor.
Changed Sensor and running normal again.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Kevlar74

Had the same symptoms.
Before I purchased a code reader I changed the plugs and coils.
No change so I tried better plugs and fuel cleaner. No change.

Code Reader reading faulty O2 sensor.
Changed Sensor and running normal again.

If you don't mind what's the mileage?

[Kevlar74]

Originally Posted by Tracus

If you don't mind what's the mileage?

58,000 km

[Teutonic]

Mine is 91.000 km now and did not replaced that sensor. The gas was the culprit in my case. But, good to know.
Glad is fixed!