Turns over fine. Sometimes starts, sometimes doesnt.

[mrmojo37]

Hi, a friend just bought a 2003 330xi with automatic transmission and 61,000 miles. The car runs great and performs beautifully but...... sometimes you have to try starting it several times before it will start. Sometimes it wont start at all. Turns over just fine. Has plenty of fuel. Nobody seems to be able to diagnose the problem at the dealership. Before throwing a bunch of money at it I thought I'd ask the forum if anybody has had this problem and knows the cure or has some ideas.

[witeshark]

Is the engine warm when this happens? My E30 has done that occasionally. Holding the throttle to the floor gets it started quickly, but you have to be quick to release it.

[mrmojo37]

Does so hot and cold.

[marti5]

Sounds like fuel pressure in the fuel rail, which would mean the non return valve is not working correctly, basically what happens is when you turn her off the pressure drops, the fuel pump only cuts in whilst cranking and not when you turn the key on,thus you have to crank her several times to get the pressure back in the rail.