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R3v Fam, need some help. [FIXED!!]

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    R3v Fam, need some help. [FIXED!!]

    hey R3v Fam,

    im needing some help with my 88 325is. i picked up the car a few months ago after my deployment. was kept up and in great condition. only 88k original miles on her.

    i drove her from florida, to san antonio, then here to new mexico where im stationed. everything worked and operated perfectly.

    there was one thing i noticed on my journey back, when i would start up the car, i would smell raw fuel. i looked into the engine bay and saw the injector closest to the firewall was leaking a bit. bad seals.

    i picked up some m50 injectors, you know, a small upgrade over stock. better spray and atomization...blah blah.

    this is where it starts.
    im coming home from work, just like any other day. park the car, talk to the neighbor, check the mail. i see i need to head to the post office, so i come back outside and get in my e30. turn the key, the motor turns over and struggles. i turn it off. i try it again...same deal.

    it turns over and struggles and coughs and is fighting to stay alive.
    i turn off the car and use my other car.


    i come back, no change. still doing the same thing. i figure that injector has finally took a shit and use that as my excuse to tear into it and replace the injectors.

    i install the m50 greens and turn on the car. it runs!!!! i drive it around that day and everything is fine. i go a couple places, turn off the car, come back later. starts up. nice.

    later the same day im going to grab dinner with some people, of course i drive the e30, park and come out after our meal. car no wants to start. doesn't even turn over.

    i get a friend to tow me home, and im now looking at all sorts of things that could be wrong. i also search and check out all the 10000000 "my e30 wont start" threads and check if their solutions are a fix for my problem.

    check battery connections. batt is good to go.

    i check for vacuum leaks, none that i can see ( and no i haven't done a smoke test, i cant get the car anywhere to get one done)

    i checked the connections for the fuel, from the previous injector swap out. all looks good. no leaks anywhere.

    i checked the fuses. they were fine. still need to find the fuel pump relay and check on that though...

    i checked the plugs today, some were a little fouled but i cleaned them right up.

    i took out the ICV and cleaned it out with some carb cleaner.

    put everything back. no change. turn key...car is trying but doesn't turn over.

    i am however going to order some spark plugs, as mine looked like it was time for a change out, and also im upgrading the grounding cables.

    Here's the vid.




    is there anything else you guys would have me check?
    im going to continue searching the inter webs and see what else i can find.

    i appreciate the help in advance!
    Last edited by Flipp; 11-21-2014, 07:14 PM.

    #2
    When it sat for those 7 years was the fuel drained? Stagnant fuel can be harmful for a fuel pump and fuel tank. I would get those checked out.
    1989 325I(M20B25US)|KAMotors CAI|Bilstein Sports|H&R Sports|ST Sways|SSSquid Tune|Red46 Sump Armor|

    Comment


      #3
      id start with checking if you have fuel and spark.

      if you have both, then start checking your starting/charging/electrical system (alternator, starter, ignition switch, ignition coil etc.)

      clean up your grounds

      check your CPS as well.
      sigpic

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by indecline View Post
        When it sat for those 7 years was the fuel drained? Stagnant fuel can be harmful for a fuel pump and fuel tank. I would get those checked out.
        where did you see it sat for 7 years? the PO used it as his daily.

        Comment


          #5
          If the engine isn't turning over, either the battery is dead, the starter isn't getting voltage, or the starter is bad.
          Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

          Elva Courier build thread here!

          Comment


            #6
            Check fuel pump, fuel filter, and starter.


            --Mike
            (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Flipp View Post
              put everything back. no change. turn key...car is trying but doesn't turn over.
              Could you please elaborate on what exactly the starter and engine are doing/not doing or sounds like they are doing?

              Is the starter turning the engine over, but the combustion is not taking over?

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Flipp View Post
                put everything back. no change. turn key...car is trying but doesn't turn over.

                so it is cranking or not?
                sigpic

                Comment


                  #9
                  is it making that whirring/clicking solenoid sound when you turn the key, and not firing, or is it not doing anything at all?


                  --Mike
                  (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

                  Comment


                    #10
                    video would be good :)
                    sigpic

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by 15Michaeljoseph View Post
                      is it making that whirring/clicking solenoid sound when you turn the key, and not firing, or is it not doing anything at all?


                      --Mike
                      for those who were asking. its exactly this^^

                      clutch in, turn key...Whirring...not start.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Whirring like the starter is spinning but not engaging the flywheel or engine cranking over but not firing?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          is there any 'coughing' from the engine or is it just straight clicking/whirring/starter-noise?


                          --Mike
                          (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Still not sure what exactly is happening, but if you hear whirring without the "chuck-chuck-chuck" of compression strokes, the starter solenoid isn't engaging.
                            Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

                            Elva Courier build thread here!

                            Comment


                              #15
                              From what you're describing it sounds like a bad starter.
                              sigpic

                              Comment

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