1984 318i died while driving now it wont start.

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  • RattleRattle1
    Noobie
    • Feb 2014
    • 12

    #1

    1984 318i died while driving now it wont start.

    Hello, I found this forum when I bought my 84 318i a few months ago and decided to lurk for a bit but now I've ran into a reason to post. A few days ago I started my car like I normally do on a cold morning to let it run a bit and warm up went back inside and came out about 10 minutes later hopped in it and took off.
    Pulling out of the driveway I noticed the engine felt a little weak, no big deal I thought as if I don't let it warm up enough it does that sometimes, well then i notice the oil light was still on i go into a mini freak out and decide as soon as i get back I'll check the oil it should be fine for the 1 mile round trip right?
    Wrong almost as soon as i got up to speed i hear this odd growling sound that I've never heard before as I start getting close to the stop light I find my brakes not working freak out and realize the engine stopped running the battery light popped on as well, turn the key off and back on hit the brakes, stop and go to start the car again except now there is this horrid squealing sound when i try to start it, it sounds like it wants to start but something wont let it and the sound has me too freaked out to try to start it.
    I checked where i had been parked and didn't find any oil or anything like that. Hopefully you guys can help at least give me an idea of what it might be. Thank you in advance, if anyone needs anymore information i will provide it to the best of my ability
  • cgk_iii
    Mod Crazy
    • Dec 2012
    • 616

    #2
    Are you getting fuel and spark?
    sigpic

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    • E30_Pare
      R3V OG
      • Oct 2008
      • 7801

      #3
      You need a belt...

      NEW ERA AUTO GLASS - SFV SOCAL - 818 974-3673
      DREWLIENTE

      1$ PShops PM me

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      • RattleRattle1
        Noobie
        • Feb 2014
        • 12

        #4
        How would i go about checking if im getting fuel and spark. The gas tank does have a minor leak but the gauge was reading at half a tank when i started it. As for the fuel pump i am not sure how to check that. It had been running fine the day before but it is possible something could have happened while it sat. What kind of belt?

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        • RattleRattle1
          Noobie
          • Feb 2014
          • 12

          #5
          I took a video that hopefully helps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cNYfLITCB0

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          • glnr13
            E30 Fanatic
            • Oct 2011
            • 1334

            #6
            that sounds like you have NO oil in the engine.

            stop trying to start it. check your oil level. put oil in if you need it, which i'm positive you do.
            you may have incurred major damage to the engine.

            try to start it with some oil in it but something tells me it's too late. you're gonna need a rebuild.
            sigpic

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            • Smelser
              Mod Crazy
              • Feb 2011
              • 633

              #7
              wow

              sigpic1984 318i Total conversion to a DIRT race car.
              Check out our build on facebook @ www.facebook.com/brewstermotorsports

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              • E30_Pare
                R3V OG
                • Oct 2008
                • 7801

                #8
                Originally posted by glnr13
                that sounds like you have NO oil in the engine.

                stop trying to start it. check your oil level. put oil in if you need it, which i'm positive you do.
                you may have incurred major damage to the engine.

                try to start it with some oil in it but something tells me it's too late. you're gonna need a rebuild.
                Now that I re read it. Makes even more sense. Pretty sure that motor was toast a while ago now.

                NEW ERA AUTO GLASS - SFV SOCAL - 818 974-3673
                DREWLIENTE

                1$ PShops PM me

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                • glnr13
                  E30 Fanatic
                  • Oct 2011
                  • 1334

                  #9
                  he could get lucky, the m10 is pretty stout. maybe just a scored crankshaft if he only tried to start it a few times? i dunno, it doesn't sound good though.
                  sigpic

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                  • RattleRattle1
                    Noobie
                    • Feb 2014
                    • 12

                    #10
                    Well none of this is very comforting lol I'll pick up some oil tomorrow and see if that does anything sounds to me though my 1300 dollar car just got a whole lot more expensive.

                    Comment

                    • sethhammond64
                      Noobie
                      • Dec 2013
                      • 13

                      #11
                      We'll maybe you should be a smart driver and check your fluids once a week. Trying to start it over and over again is just gonna seize the engine. And if your oil light is on that means it's basically empty. Wouldn't be surprised if you grinded some metal off. Your pistons of connecting rod: Good luck man.


                      Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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                      • sethhammond64
                        Noobie
                        • Dec 2013
                        • 13

                        #12
                        While your at it pull your spark plugs out and make sure the probes are clean. If not you'll need to pickup some new ones. I use Bosch platinum they seem to work the best


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                        • glnr13
                          E30 Fanatic
                          • Oct 2011
                          • 1334

                          #13
                          i had better luck with bosch copper on my m10. different strokes for different folks.
                          sigpic

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                          • RattleRattle1
                            Noobie
                            • Feb 2014
                            • 12

                            #14
                            Definitely going to check them more often from now on. Oil was the last thing on my mind lately since i was dealing with a coolant leak but that's hardly an excuse lol Thank you guys for the help i guess I'll put some oil in it and go from there.

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                            • RattleRattle1
                              Noobie
                              • Feb 2014
                              • 12

                              #15
                              Went and got oil checked the oil before i put it in and it was at halfway between the two tick marks on the dip stick so i put some in it and now it's just at the top tick mark i haven't tried to start it yet though was gonna let it sit for a while and check the oil again.

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