Have spark and fuel, but no start - REVELATION!

[Beej '86 325es]

I just got done rebuilding my Vanos unit.
I put it back together and now it won't start!?

I've verified I have spark and fuel, and a good charge on the battery. I tried swapping the computer, disconnecting the MAF, but no dice. It's not throwing any codes either. The only electrical plug I disconnected during that work was the vanos solenoid.

Can someone throw some possible causes at me? It used to start like a champ.

Thanks!

[Farbin Kaiber]

Didn't remove any grounds?

[evoDRichie]

do u have gas

[36brua]

Didn't remove any grounds?

you didn't say what engine but is the ground from fuel rail connected?
on M50tu usually fastened by bolt at engine lift bracket

[Beej '86 325es]

Didn't remove any grounds?

you didn't say what engine but is the ground from fuel rail connected?
on M50tu usually fastened by bolt at engine lift bracket

It's an S50.

I only removed the fuel rail ground so I could remove the vanos unit, but it's reconnected. Plus I can smell fuel in the cylinder, so the injectors must be firing.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Nothing changed with CPS?

[Rugbyfan]

I have spark and fuel!

if you have spark and fuel and you can see/smell gas in the cylinders, then perhaps its just flooded from all the cranking?

[Beej '86 325es]

Nothing changed with CPS?

I don't think so, not intentionally anyway. I found some oil that dripped down onto the crank sensor from the work, but that shouldn't affect anything...additionally, it was replaced a couple of months ago. I didn't touch the cam sensor either...again, not intentionally.

if you have spark and fuel and you can see/smell gas in the cylinders, then perhaps its just flooded from all the cranking?

I don't think so, because I've off-and-on tried starting it for 3 days now, never cranking for more than 4-5 seconds. Also they are brand new plugs I installed since I had the head torn apart.

I did a leak-down before I fixed the vanos. Is it possible that the 40psi I used could have screwed up some sensor?

[Rugbyfan]

I did a leak-down before I fixed the vanos. Is it possible that the 40psi I used could have screwed up some sensor?

If you have tested that you have spark from each coil, and if you've pulled your injector rail and cranked the motor with it aimed at some towels, then I'm not clear how it couldn't fire.

[328ijunkie]

Engine misttimed?

[Beej '86 325es]

Engine misttimed?

Possible. I locked the cams in place, but the engine doesn't have such an audible thump-thump-thump of cylinder compression when I crank it now. It felt like I got the vanos reinstalled correctly with the cam turning tool, but it's possible it's not. I may have to tear the valve cover off again and check it out.

[Beej '86 325es]

Well, the timing somehow got off when I reinstalled the vanos. I broke the secondary tensioner with the piece of garbage sprocket tool in the process of removing it again.
FML

[328ijunkie]

Eeek.

[devon.818]

check timeing.
check compression.

if you have spark and fuel, then those are the only other two things, i mean we can almost garantee you have air so...

[Beej '86 325es]

Revelation!

Mother of God... :o:o:o

I think I just solved my running issue.

I completely removed the exhaust sprocket mounting bolts and the cover plate and found that my sprocket appears to be mounted incorrectly by the engine builder...

Turned CCW:


Turned CW:


Does that crap look right? It looks like the cams have less than half the travel that they should when the Vanos actuates.

Video also...(I don't know how to do the embedding)

http://youtu.be/PkbqoUWYs9c