Bring her back to life, pleeeease?

[eshghehBMW]

K so as many of you know...I decided to do a filter change (as done many times before).....yada yada yada...I ended up changing my head gasket and then some!

So now, I have put everything back together except air filter/housing...

The car turns over...but doesn't turn on.
It did the very 1st time I tried but after that it just keeps turning.

should I go ahead and put back the air filter/housing???????????????????????????????????????????

I do smell gas, but I dono if it's getting pumped into the fuel injector line yet???????????????????????
what should I do about getting the fuel to the injectors?

I honestly think those 2 things might be the real reason it's not turning on!...beside the fact that 1 injector does not have the plastic tip (does have o-ring so it's nice and snug)

Anyway...you can tell me what to check for?



PS...gosh for a mechanic noob...this was such a PITA

[kowalski]

have u checked that its actually getting spark?

[eshghehBMW]

spark...that SHOULD be good...but honestly I think that'll be a slim probability.
so no I haven't checked.

[TwoJ's]

So you went as far as changing your head gasket just for fun, or was there a reason? Or did you change the intake gasket that is on the head? And did you remove any fuel lines? Why do you think it's not getting fuel?

#1: Take the advice you have already been given and go buy pintle caps for the injectors.

#2: You've assembled everything, posted on the internet, but putting the AFM and filter is too difficult? Put it in genius, and make sure the AFM is plugged in.

#3: Check that you're getting spark. No one will take you serious if they give you tips and you simply say, "that SHOULD be good, so I won't check it out"

[eshghehBMW]

UPDATE:

K I put back on the air filter and AFM...
I'm pretty sure that I'm also getting fuel...
the symptoms I have so far is that the engine turn over...kinda starts in the first few seconds and then again it goes back to turning over and over.
To me it sounds like 1 or more cylinder is not getting spark! (but what do I know...I'm a noob)

I'm going to check spark later in evening when I will get a helping hand...

[apexede30]

Out of experience and stupidity, I know this:
1. Your car will turn on even with a non firing cylinder. (2, even, maybe.)
2. If you took off your fuel rail, god make sure you didn't switch the fuel return hose and the fuel line. (yes, laugh all you want. It was funny for a while.)
3. If it starts and dies, that means it prooobably used up all the fuel in the fuel rail and arent getting any more. So you're most likely firing, your injectors pumping, but no fuel in the rail. ergooo...Correct me if I'm wrong on this entire post but start with your fuel relays goin all the way back to your pump?, and check out #2. (Although #2 was on an E engine for me...Same design I believe.)

Just trying to help, correct me If I'm wrong on any of this, seniors. Xept aptyp. He's gay.

[eshghehBMW]

I just checked the spark guyz and it was good.

The Car turned on and runs now...BUT it shakes alot...and my RPM is down to half way instead of the .75 range.
So I guess I got a vacume leak?

What typical places should I check?!

PS maybe it's just shacking cuz I had the trottle body and manifold hot tanked:?:

[TwoJ's]

Okay, can you outline everything that you did when you replaced the head gasket? Maybe it will help us point you in the right direction. What did you replace? What did you remove and reuse? And how did you check for spark? Are the spark plugs new? have you ever replaced your fuel filter? Have you measured the fuel pressure while the pump is running?

Do you have a Bentley manual? If not, I highly recommend you get one. They are very helpful, especially if you are trying to teach yourself like you are.

So your motor is shaking badly... smell the exhaust. Does it smell like raw fuel? Does it sound funny like a cylinder or two isn't firing? If you are stuck with no ideas for the moment, go back through and be sure that everything is assembled correctly.

I would start with being sure that the plugs are clean, the plug wires are installed properly, the cap and rotor are in good condition etc. etc.

There are a number things that could be happening, so you need to do a little research, be specific when you ask questions and just keep trying to figure it out. I'm sure you'll get it.


Edit: What procedure did you follow when you put the timing belt back on? Are you absolutely positive that you had the timing marks lined up properly?

[eshghehBMW]

^ Ok...

I made markings and took off the head...then I replaced the gasket...then I slaped the head back on (according to the markings)
then I sent the manifold and throttle body for hot-tanking.
then I cleaned out my AFM so all the oil was gone.
I replaced my thermostat housing, changed all with new gaskets, and new throttle pre-heater lines.

TODAY...
the car started and ran for quite a while till midrange temperatures...at first I had to apply throttle to keep it going but after a while it was on by it's own

My check engine and Engine oil light were on...so somebody told me to replace the o-rings at the engine oil return tube (the one that goes into the manifold)

I guess I should've had 2 rings on top and 2 on bottom...but I only had 2 rubber O-rings all together.
I got the part# for the bottom O-ring and Washer...but I can't find the #s for the upper O-rings...(maybe they use the same kind?)

so this where I am right now...I opened the manifold once again...and I'll get the rings tomorrow from BMW hopefully (if they have it)
I'll install them along with new bolts for the manifold and hopefully engine should not shake alot and RPM should come back up to .75 range.

I will keep you all posted.

PS thanks for all the help so far

[delatlanta1281]

If you replaced your fuel filter and or pump, make sure they were installed the right way (the filter may be backwards). And check the wiring on the fuel pump.
Forget it.... I didn't read far enough.

[TwoJ's]

So it runs until it warms up? Did I read that properly? I would check to make sure your coolant temperature sensor is working. You can test it with a multi meter.

Also, do the "stomp test" to see what code your CEL is throwing.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Is the timing set correctly on the belt? ON the correct tooth?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Did you have the head resurfaced?

[eshghehBMW]

K every1 hit the brakes...
I honestly think the oil return tube is the problem...I got new o-rings and washers coming in and I'll do the install on Friday.

PS i changed the missing pintle cap of that one injector with a 90 mustang's...cross finger...I hope it'll all be back to normal on Friday

[Farbin Kaiber]

The oil return tube is why your car won't run?