just some quick tech help...

[revhead888]

left my e30 for a weekend came home for it not to start. it's a m40 (318i) and has spark, fuel and air. anyone know what on earth i would look for next?

[E30 331is]

Starter?

[revhead888]

if you mean starter motor its ticks over nice and fast, and doesn't have an immobiliser

[FLG]

You sure you have spark, fuel, and air?? Because if thats the case id check your timing chain.

Also due to no compression she'll spin faster.

[revhead888]

You sure you have spark, fuel, and air?? Because if thats the case unless someone removed your pistons, its going to start...

haha dam sneaky bastards...
ill replace the plugs tomorrow, as i didn't check if it was arcing on the side, i just saw spark as it was getting dark

[FLG]

Half asleep (need to get to sleep!), forgot one important detail... edited it..

If you have GOOD (blue) spark, air, and fuel...im going to say your chain (or belt? not sure what it
uses)

[AndrewBird]

Considering it is a timing chain, I HIGHLY doubt it has anything to do with the problem. Timing chains don't just suddenly snap or jump teeth while sitting.

Is it cranking, but not starting, or not cranking at all?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Its a belt. Not a chain.

[FLG]

Could have snapped when he shut it off our during startup...it's a stretch but if you have spark (again good spark), fuel, and air all you need is compression.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[TurboJake]

M40 = timing belt

But, if it was an m40 in a stock E30, it would be a 316i, not a 318i

SO, Which engine do you have revhead888? A Swapped M40 into a 318? Or an M42?

[Kershaw]

nope, 318 came as an m40.

[The Humjet]

Later shape 318i had the m40 motor. 318is had m42 and early shape 318i had the m10