need feedback

[urbancynic]

I have an 86 325e with a Mark D chip. It was and has been running great up til tuesday morning. Ive now found since I filled the tank up on monday evening (with 91 of course) that when i let it sit for a couple hours, it takes several long cranks before it turns over. however, if it has been run recently it fires right up. I took it through emissions tuesday morning after driving it for about 2 hours on the highway and it passed no problem. and it does start, it just takes longer than it used to. Is it possible I just got poor quality fuel?

thanks for any POSITIVE feedback.

[jlevie]

While you could have a fuel delivery problem, my first suspicion would be an intake leak, CTS problem, or a problem with the time/temp switch or cold start valve. A fuel pressure check will quickly determine whether the fuel system is at fault.

[Hallen]

I dunno, with that specific symptom only, I would suspect the fuel pressure regulator. When they go bad, the engine cranks for a while so the fuel pumps can run to repressurize the rail. If you get it running, shut it off, and start it right back up, it should fire up like normal. Leave it sit for a few hours or a day (it varies) then it will take a longer crank to get things running. It won't run perfectly, and if the pumps are weak, it won't run well at all, but it should run pretty well even with the regulator starting to fail. I am not sure what would happen if it failed completely though.

[urbancynic]

if i leave it overnight or for a few hours it cranks awhile. if i start it and then shut it off and start it again it fires right up like there wasnt a problem in the first place.

CTS is new, intake seals, gaskets, and hoses are all either new, or damn near it.

It doesnt idle erratically. and when it starts it runs smooth like it should. I havent felt any hesitation either.

[urbancynic]

the problem went away when i had about a half a tank or less. I filled up again last night from a different gas station and the problem returned. Any more thoughts on this?

[urbancynic]

i replaced the fpr, and i put a multimeter on the coil. coil had more resistance than the bentley said it should. also looks like the original. i figure i need to replace it, but would that cause the problem?

could it be the crank position sensors? ( i think theres 3 of them?) how could I test them?

Im unemployed an running very low on money and unemployment pay so Im desperate for help.