M42 cranks but no start- another no starting thread. (info inside)

[Jboss12]

Okay so I have a 1991 318i convertible. The car was left alone for about a week and now it won't start up. Car will turn over but it doesn't start.

I've done some research to come up with a few ideas of problems:

Fuel pump relay
Crank position sensor
Camshaft position sensor
DME relay
Intake manifold gasket (possible leak?)


The things I have checked so far:

Fuel pump: when starting the car I can here somewhat of a noise coming from it. I disconnected the hose attatched to the fuel pump and there was fuel in it. Also took out a spark plug and it was slightly wet looking and smelled like gas. (yes I know I've hardly checked much)

Other information:

The valve cover gasket/spark plug well gaskets were bad. The front 2 spark plug tubes had quite a bit of oil in them. Not sure if this would cause it not to start or what? Waiting for gasket set to come in tomorrow to replace.

The gas tank is just about the empty line.

Also curious if anyone knows what this plug is for next to the fuse box...





I'm not amazing with cars so I'm trying to get extra help.

Any ideas on what you think the problem is? What I should check? Anything that you guys think is the problem I will check.

Sorry about the "no starting" thread i know there are 1000s of them. Thank you all in advance!!!!! (I figured r3v would be more help than bimmerforums haha)

[Massimo]

Ok so your cams are fine I would not worry about that at the moment. Seems very odd that it wont start after sitting for a week. Do you have an imobaliser on the car?

[timofeylbelarus]

ive heard this before, not sure if this is your exact problem, but some people's m42 didnt start because of the gaskets went out on those spark plug holes and filled them with oil

[StereoInstaller1]

Gaskets and fresh plugs, but run the starter for a minute or three before putting the new plugs in, see if you can get some of that extra fuel out

[Jboss12]

Ok so your cams are fine I would not worry about that at the moment. Seems very odd that it wont start after sitting for a week. Do you have an imobaliser on the car?

Nope im pretty sure it does not have an imobaliser. Is there a way for me to tell?

ive heard this before, not sure if this is your exact problem, but some people's m42 didnt start because of the gaskets went out on those spark plug holes and filled them with oil

Gaskets and fresh plugs, but run the starter for a minute or three before putting the new plugs in, see if you can get some of that extra fuel out

Just bought a valve cover gasket set with spark plug gaskets as well. Will be replacing that tomorrow. I'm hoping you guys are right, the front 2 spark plug wells were like half way full of oil. When I pulled off the valve cover I could clearly tell the spark well gaskets were bad.