quickie no start list from the experts

[stamar]

Ok suppose you had to go in fix this car and drive off with it in one step.

What would you bring? what would you diagnose first

http://humboldt.craigslist.org/cto/2927419931.html

never had a m10 I have a m20. tell me anything about the m10 fuel system that causes these symptoms.

I love numbered lists. Thanks for anyone who takes the time to help.

I dont have AAA or a place to put a non running car Im in a mobile home park so I couldnt take it on without it running.

[Vegas227]

Alright, Ill do my best here with the knowledge I have.
Ill start with things to bring.
1. Starter fluid
2. fuel injector cleaner
3. brake parts cleaner
4. 2-3 gallons of gas
5. mechanics tool box(essential tools for taking things apart such as a socket set, screw drivers, breaker bar, you know things like that)
6. Bring a friend (useful for holding a flashlight or what ever you need an extra hand for that the seller isnt willing to help with.)
7. Jumper cables
8. car jack. The small one that came with the e30 should do fine.
Thats all I can think of to bring right now.

Now on to what you should be trying to fix. If it starts but doesnt stay running it could very well be the fuel pump which if thats the case you might not be able to drive it back home. If it isnt the fuel pump it could be clogged injectors from sitting too long, which is what the injector cleaner is for as well as the starter fluid. The spark plugs could also be bad too. the MAF might be stuck in an awkward position which might not allow for air to enter enough to keep it running. The fuel lines may also have some clogs in it too which would keep it from getting the adequate amount of gas to keep it running.

My advice if none of the above seems to work is to just get a tow truck and have it hauled to your place. Its $300 for the E30 and I paid $1300 for mine and it had more wrong with it than this one. Though it did start and stay running though. But for $300 I say just take it back to your place and start the diagnosis by cleaning and taking parts off.

[stamar]

thank you you even had the list I need.

I owe you something.

I know it would be a lot easier to get it towed but thats not an option ill pass on the car first. I dont have use for a parts car or space for a non running car.

\so I need you to jump into my shoes and see what youd bring to get it going. Im considering buying a fuel pump...


I f I had a place to part it out, it would be a no lose situation but I can only deal with running cars. smogged etc.

people with a place to part it out should and probably are ready to jump on it.

[Vegas227]

There is no real way to know if the fuel pump is actually going or if the lines are just clogged from sitting for so long. If you have a car savvy friend have him come with you to help diagnose what might be wrong.

[irish44j]

remember, it's an early car so it has an in-tank lifter pump AND a high-pressure fuel pump under the car just in front of the rear driver's side wheel.

[stamar]

remember, it's an early car so it has an in-tank lifter pump AND a high-pressure fuel pump under the car just in front of the rear driver's side wheel.

well i didnt know that at all...

any quick ways to see if its working?

ya unfortunately if its something hard to immediately diagnose like a fuel line Im going to skip it.\ I diagnose the fuel pump by watching fuel spray out if in a hurry.

too much of a downside.

Unless the owner wants to let me work on it where it is for a month or so when I have time as part of buying it.

Thats about as far as I can extend myself and I really shouldnt. Ive got 4 cars including my own e30 to work on.

[irish44j]

there's a check procedure in the Bentley manual. IIRC it is disconnecting the fuel line at the FPR and then cranking the car to see if there is a spray (into a cup or something). Don't quote me on it though.

[stamar]

http://humboldt.craigslist.org/cto/3008072994.html

hey strangely enough no one has snatched this one up.

It leads me to believe the dme is bad or something very hard to diagnose.

I know I asked before but I never really got a good enough list to diagnose what is wrong to bother checking it out before, but now Ive got lots of free time and im going to give it a quick check to see if its just the fuel pump or not.

Id like to see a quick diagnosis chart from a semi pro for figuring out what is wrong with an m10 that doesnt stay running. like traces of gas are making it there but not enough.

Remember, if I were to buy the car id have to fix it that day I have no parking for a vehicle to work on it later. I dont know if any of you are good at that, but any advice would be great.

If it i a complicated issue I will pass on it again but if I can be sure of whats wrong i think 250$ is probably worth it.

remember though im driving it home or leaving it. if it the fuel pump ill come back with the fuel pump and then drive it home.


im goin in with the starter fluid....

( that should really tell me all I need to know) but basic tools to take the line off the fuel pump

checking spark.

My best guess is that its a clogged fuel line.

[Jaxx_]

my money is on electrical, like fuel pump relay. if it starts, you have a little fuel. you have spark. you have air, or at least enough to start.

[stamar]

thanks jaxx so where is the fuel pump relay and how would i quickly diagnose it?

[stamar]

I know a lot of bmw heads would love to get this car it looks fairly nice although a base car with cloth and roll ups.

If I had a work space I would buy it without even looking at it and fix it.

but honestly I have no use for it except to get it running and flip it.

Ive got a camaro I have to fix thats worth at least 3k first anyway.

filled with these same kind of electrical gremlins.

[Jaxx_]

it's the tall black relay next to the AFM under the cover. there are 2 other relays. The fuel pump relay requires like 3 12V signals to turn on. I because it requires so many, it is a high probability that a component has issues there.

that said, it looks like it was deleted by the author.

[thebutterson]

Remember, if I were to buy the car id have to fix it that day I have no parking for a vehicle to work on it later.

Then buying a nonrunning e30 is a terrible idea. Who knows exactly how manythings are wrong with it and what it's gonna take to fix them.

Just remember that everyone selling a car that runs like shit says "it just needs a tune up".

[stamar]

thats totally true theres a downside.

these e30s can have long periods of non running.

its still for sale, look at the 2nd listing i have not the first one.

i promise you this area is a great place to score cheap vehicles. often a terrible place to sell them.