E30 wont start all of a sudden...

[jflip2002]

Ive never had a real problem with my car starting. Id say one every 30 times I start the car, it cranks and cranks and cranks, but wont start. So you just sit there for a good 5-10 seconds, let it rest, then when it starts to fire up, you give it a couple pumps of the gas. Seems to work great.

Well lastnight after driving it 15 miles from home to costco, it wouldnt start. I push started it, and it still wouldnt start really. It sounded like it was stalling, and trying to start, but it just wouldnt do it. I let it sit for another 2-5 minutes, then it started right up.

This morning I go to start it up, and it keeps cranking and cranking, no start. It seems like I have enough juice, but something is wrong obviously. I dont know if its a fuel delivery problem or what, but Ive been at it for a good 30 minutes now, and it wont start.

Anyone have any clue? Or anyone in SLO wanna come help? ;)

[lifestyle101]

check your fuel relay, if not ,something wrong with the fuel pump

[jflip2002]

Wheres the fuel relay on this thing? Also, I think mine has a piece of shit in tank fuel pump, doesnt it? My old 84 318 had it by the wheel well.

[red]

I have a similar problem, for me my ignition wire #1 is bad and its arching.

It's not as bad as your problem...yet but reading this makes me want to go out and fix it today. hahaha

[jflip2002]

Its funny that this started happening after I had my oil changed. I had the worst tech in the garage do it for some reason. I wonder if he shorted something out.

[atomic]

bad motor ground ??

[expressfish]

sounds fuel related. weak spark or fuel.....one of the two

[jflip2002]

I checked all the plugs, they seem normal. I replaced em last year, and they have some brown/burnt looking marks on em. Nothing corroded, no oil. Then I liftd the car a little, and looked near the rear left wheel well. I took off one fuel hose, and it started glugging gas, fed by gravity, so I figured that was just the line from the tank to the filter. Then I took off a second line, nothing came out. I left it off, and tried to start the car. It didnt spew any gas out at all.

Im assuming that means either fuel pump isnt working because its bad or because the relay is bad?

[scabzzzz]

It could be cold starting enrichment. Im not sure how it works on an I car exactly, but the coolant temp sensors read what the engine coolant flow temp is and adjust according to that. If the motor isnt warm, it takes more to start.
Sounds like you need to start testing things per the Bentley.
Check all grounds. Check fuel delivery. Check spark. Check relays. Etc...

[jflip2002]

Looks like Im going to have a friend tow it to the dealership. Im not mechanically inclined. I probably shouldnt have an E30.

[jflip2002]

So andyman came over, and we ran a couple tests. Switched the relay out with his, no go. There was voltage going to the fuel pump, so we're assuming its the fuel pump. I gotta buy one this morning.

[Bill 84 318i]

You can try and force the pump to spin.

Take the back seat out, and tap on the top of the pump with a rubber mallet (don't hit any important shit) while trying to start the car. If that doesn't work, try to tap on the bottom of the tank underneath the pump at the same time. If it's only just started to fail, this should get it up and running.

[lifestyle101]

were you able to get the car started? what year/model is it?

[jflip2002]

Bill, I did that, and it worked. I had my GF tap on it while I Started it, and it fired right up. I gotta do this a couple times, at least to get to work, back, order the part, then back to work on tuesday. Thanks for that tip!

[wagonizzle]

Buy the whole setup, not JUST the pump (i.e. pickup tube and filter, etc). That way you can change it in like 10 minutes. Seriously, it just spins out and the new one spins in. Make sure to clean the area around the pump thoroughly, as you could knock dirt into the open tank. And grab a milk gallon and cut the top off or other bucket so you can avoid spillage of gasoline. This job doesn't really require mechanical inclination. Actually, most jobs on this car seem to be pretty easy if you have a Bentley and aren't retarded. Good luck.

P.S. I apologize if you are in fact retarded.

P.P.S. E-A-G-L-E-S ----> Eagles!