My dry start issue

[zwilson8806]

I have a 1992 318 conv. and I have a dry start issue. I have had the car for a couple of years now and this has never been a problem before. If the car sets for several hours it will have a dry start problem. If the time period is shorter it starts normal. I have checked several things oil level, oil pressure, oil grade. It has a cartridge style oil filter and I have had the top off the resevor a couple of times this week and the resevor is empty after it sets several hours. Is there a one way check valve to prevent the
filter housing from draining out the oil? I have put oil in the housing before starting and it starts properly. Has anyone else had this problem before or
worked on a related situation?

[jlevie]

By dry start issue I'd guess that you are talking about lifter click for a few seconds on a cold start. If that is a correct assumption, a slightly heavier grade of oil might help.

Another factor might be the choice of oil filter. I've found that they aren't equal and some impose a greater restriction than others. The best I've found are the OE (Mahn) variety.

[Hick]

That and the car you are talking about has an M42 motor.

M42s have hydralic lifters that will get pretty noisey after a bunch of miles. Mine are pretty loud, but it does not cause any harm.