318i automatic spluttering when starting and eml light

[caddy123]

Hi hello to all , I have a 318i auto 2005 . When I start it first thing in the morning the car starts to shake and splutter . If I stop it after just 10 seconds or so and start it again it shakes and splutters even more and the eml light come on. After about 20 seconds the car is fine and once its warm its perfect. One time when it was really cold at night i was going to the airport with friends , the wouldn't stop shaking even when I started driving , about a half a mile up the road I had to stop the car , turn it off , restarted and it was ok. Local bmw garage now has my car for 5 weeks and can't find the fault . Please can somone help me ???? Gary

[witeshark]

My first thought is that moisture/water is getting into the fuel.

[caddy123]

Hi all again , an up date on my car . Have the car back after 6 weeks and they told me that is was something with the camrods. the reason they had so long was it wouldn't show a fault on the laptop when plugged into the car. The car has stopped spluttering and the eml light doesn't come on but when i start the car first in the morning from cold something in the engine makes a funny crawling sound for about 3 to 5 seconds. This is my first bmw and iam not if this is common for a bmw car to do this from cold . again it is an auto 318i petrol . can some help?? gary