Starting issues (no fuel)

[Tbolt]

So, I have been trying to get into e30s (actually going balls deep) but my knowledge is limited so far. The car in question is my bros old 90 325i vert (its sexy) but it had been sitting in my backyard for over 6 months and is not starting now. It has had the CEL on for as long as ive known even when it did start/run. Well I have been trying to get it to start lately. I started by changing the fuel filter. A note about that is the lines that connect to and from the filter seem a little worn, not sure if its a prob though. As well, there is a small chance that the car is leaking gas, I feel that I have put quite a bit of gas in and the needle has over time gone down. Moving on, the car seems to start up flawlessly when I put engine start fluid directly into the intake. But as soon as the start fluid runs out the car dies.

Somehow it is just not getting fuel it seems. After the fuel filter change I felt like it was trying a little harder but still not getting there. As for the fuel pump, I did what r3v told me and I could hear the pump buzzing when the key is turned (not-started) but I have also read that its possible to still not be pumping enough. So I am not sure if I should take it out or what. I don't even know where the injectors are located, but I would like to check them and anything else you guys recommend. I guess thats it, any suggestions/advice is GREATLY appreciated.

pic for fun:

[DoriftuEvo]

In the bentley manual

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=B390

there is a section dedicated to fuel problem diagnosis. You can check the fuel flow rate without starting the car, by making a switch to turn on the fuel pump, and dispensing fuel from the hose running to the fuel rail into a graduated container for a period of time. It's a cheap and easy test all outlined in the manual. It will allow you to begin narrowing your search to before or after that point.

[Tbolt]

Update: now the fuel filter does not make any noise when i turn the key (but not start-it)

how should I go about assessing this? take it out? or what is the test to run for voltage of the fuel power line? I wish I had a bentley ><

[lordofthewaters]

Could be a fuel pump, If nothing else pull the fuel line from the pressure regulator, and tip the end into a glass jar or bottle, and have someone turn it over. You'll see if there's fuel flow or not. If not check for power to the fuel pump. Be advised that I've noticed that it's very common for fuel pumps to go bad from sitting unused for extended periods. Even more go bad from being clogged by gunk from the tank after sitting for a long while.