crank but no start

[NC325iC]

OBD2 S52 ZF320

Just changed my clutch. In doing that job I had to pull the intake manifold off. I finished yesterday and started it up, apart from needing to bleed the clutch it ran well. I only ran it for a minute or two since i couldnt drive it anywhere.

Went back out this morning to start it up and it fired up but wouldnt live long, it ran like crap and sputtered out and died a handful of times. I was a little annoyed but kept trying to get it to warm up a bit and smooth out.

Then it stopped starting all together. It will crank and it seems like maybe one cylinder is firing each revolution, but never more than one.

I unhooked the battery to let the computer reset and put the battery on a charger. Still no start.

I checked cyl #2 for spark and it gets a good strong spark.

I hear the fuel pump come on and feel fuel running through the line, i dont have a method to check pressure. I assume that since one cylinder is firing i'm getting fuel. I feel like i need to check this area more thoroughly because it would explain the slow nature of the failure to start.

Can anyone suggest other areas to verify?

[NC325iC]

The only real change that I made to any electrical systems is the starter motor. I switched from my e30 motor to e36 (with cooresponding flywheel change). So I now have 3 wires connected instead of just 2. I dont think that would affect the engine running though. Especially considering that it ran well yesterday.

[NC325iC]

well... i'm almost too embarrassed to post this... sigh

When I had the intake off I had papertowls covering the ports to keep debris out... forgot to remove the paper towels... low/no compression on 4 of 6 cylinders. I managed to pull the remaining bits of paper towel back out of the intake valves, luckily they had all but wrapped themselves around the section btw the two valves. but still no real improvement on compression...

The intake valves all seem to be able to move freely but I assume i damaged the seats or perhaps the exhaust valves arent closing... who knows...

needless to say, I hate myself.

[2mAn]

needless to say, I hate myself.

i hate this feeling... hope its not too bad

[Northern]

Shit happens.

Not sure where to go from there, but probably best case removing the head to remove towels, worst case new valves/head so not fun either way.

[NC325iC]

Was able to get most of the paper towel out, they are fairly complete but still compression test not turning up much.

I am at a loss for how little shreds of paper towel could damage valve seats or piston rings. I am putting it back together and seeing what happens. At this point... f*ck it. If it clears up I'll run it like it never happened.

here are the paper towels, not in any particular order

https://goo.gl/photos/1vk4kx7Ygb8qqhNS9

[Sea Aych]

Fuuuu - man that really sucks :( - hope you get it sorted without out too much pain

[NC325iC]

Alright. Fired it up. It choked out after a short run time, I realized there wasn't any exhaust coming out the back. So I pulled the center section and emptied out a handful of paper scraps. Started the car without the center in place and it calmed to an idle and rumbled there happily until I shit it off. Compression is back to normal on 2-6. cylinder 1 is still low, but idk if that is from this incident. I plan to drive it and check again in a week or so...

Always remember to pull out your debris covers...

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