Starting after rebuild

[E46Twist]

Okay so I did a head swap in an 89 325i due to the PO breaking a riming belt. I went to start the car and it turned over fuel got to it and it fired but didn't stay running. Turned it over some more but no more firing. I think I may have flooded it but am not sure. Checked plugs and wires and all air lines. Can't find anything out of the ordinary so I was wondering what some usual culprits are of this symptom.

Thanks fellas

"Fast is Sexy"

[EatsHondas]

If you think it's flooded, crank it for a few seconds with the gas pedal floored.

Check that everything is plugged in and plugged in to the right spot. People hook up the fuel supply to the return and the return to the supply all the time, and the CPS plug will fit into the socket next to it even though its wrong.

You're absolutely sure the motor is in time right? Getting the belt on can be such a tight fit that it can be a tooth or two off if done improperly. Make sure the plug wires are all the way on the plugs and snug on the dizzy. That's about all I can come up with off the top of my head. Let us know what it was when you figure it out.

[E46Twist]

Well the fuel lines are diff lengths so it was obvious what fit where. I did wonder about the sensors but they seem obvious in configuration as well.

"Fast is Sexy"

[EatsHondas]

I would double check the timing unless you're absolutely sure it's spot on.

[E46Twist]

It was about half a tooth off after 7 turns of the crank. Not enough for me to suspect that as a problem. I could check it but I have everything back together

"Fast is Sexy"

[EatsHondas]

Yank a spark plug and ground it on the motor while cranking. Spark? No spark?

[E46Twist]

Test will have to wait. Gf is passing a kidney stone

"Fast is Sexy"

[E46Twist]

Update from before I had to leave. Car did start and idle but was very rough as if missing a couple cylinders. I am thinking I am not getting a spark plug or two as I was able to unplug a wire with no change in idle. Also it only idled 600-700 and would not rev at all. After idling for a minute smoke started to come from what seemed like the rear if the exhaust manifold area. Not sure if this was just old oil or what.

"Fast is Sexy"

[EatsHondas]

Did you ever unhook the plug wires from the cap when you pulled the old head? If the leads got attached to the wrong spots, it would definitely kill a few cylinders and make it run badly.

[E46Twist]

Yeah but I checked order this morning I'll upload a video later

"Fast is Sexy"

[E46Twist]

I was thinking timing or compression which I can check but not reving at all makes me think its the spark

"Fast is Sexy"

[E46Twist]

Progress, I had the 1 and 5 plugs switch at the dizzy. However it is still a little rough at idle and is very hesitant to rev up. However I did get it to rev all the way up to 6000 RPM. I also had a crazy amount of white smoke. I am thinking that the HG must have blown or something for that to happen. It does not smell sweet though. the car has sat for damn near two months so I suppose it could just need time to clean up. I will do a compression test tmr and maybe start it again, It died on the down rev.

[EatsHondas]

Well at least you're getting somewhere, let us know what happens.

[E46Twist]

Cold compression test. 122 on damn near every cylinder 2 was 127 and 6 was 120 all other were 121-123. This seems low so maybe the head and block did not agree. I am also not getting a fire on 3 and 4 and they are in the right spots. Could this be a timing thing?

Forgot to add I did not tighten the two inner lower EM stud nuts down in case I needed to take the head back off. Also did comp test with WOT to keep fuel out with out messing with the relay.

"Fast is Sexy"

[E46Twist]

So I checked timing today. unfortunately it is dead on. I say unfortunate because I was hoping that was the cause. Should Check anything out while the engine bay is apart. I do not see any loose or missing connectors