E30 Zone

Hi I just pick up a 318i 1990 saloon for much cheapness but the only problem is the it is a non starter?
It cranks over but ain't starting, I asked the guy I got if from what had been done to it and he tells me he had just done the timing belt and the it would not start so he could not be bother sorting the problem out and just wanted a quick sell sounds a bit funny but the body is in good nice so I took it.

Anyway it looks to be in good shape and I turned it over by hand and all looks ok in the respects of valves hitting, I am just asking if it was to be out a tooth or more could this stop it from starting or could it be something else?

It seems to crank over realy well just a bit stumped maybe someone with some more background on this could point me in the right direction

Thanks

some one else has posted something like this, check crank sensor, see if you have a spark, check fuses relay and fuel pump etc

Razzle wrote:I am just asking if it was to be out a tooth or more could this stop it from starting

Big 10-4 there good buddy......

kam-325i wrote:

Razzle wrote:I am just asking if it was to be out a tooth or more could this stop it from starting

Big 10-4 there good buddy......

Agreed, I bet it's out more than one tooth though

IF the thing has been put back together correctly, the most likely cause is the crank position sensor - you're likely to be fairly rough with its lead when changing the cam belt.
Lift up the rear seat cushion, take off the RH inspection hatch to reveal the fuel pump, and listen to hear if the fuel pump runs when you crank the engine.

Thank you for the quick response and I don't realy no if the belt was done proper and it is fuelling as when after I tryed turning it over a few time I wanted to check the condition of the plugs and they had fuel on them if that sounds right ?prob fluded it but it is getting fuel and the only thing I haven't checked is for a spark and the senser that I will do tomorow, I have read some of the other topics on this and the only other thing is something about a immobiliser and it ain't got one so thats way I thought it might be due to being out a tooth or so ?

Check for voltage at the coil, should be about 13v between pin 15 and ground and ingnition on.
With this confirmed next check for spark,
voltage at coil and no spark then look to the crank sensor and wiring,
no voltage then look for an immobiliser.

If you have spark, and as Brian says the fuel pump runs the the issue is likely one of timing - belt wrong?

That should mean you'll get her cheap

What sort of reading would you get from the crank senser if it's working properly thank

You should get 540 ohms across the two terminals if it's good. Not getting that means it's broken, but getting that doesn't mean it's working (if that makes sense).

Have you done the basic check for spark yet? Remove a plug, rest it on the rocker cover, and crank the engine

Ok I'm getting a spark and the crank senser is reading 496 ohms ? And the fuel pump is all warking as it should just not firing up ???

Sorry and the coil is getting 12.15 v

If you're getting spark then you can rule out the CPS as an issue. If you're getting spark AND fuel, then your next step ought to be a compression test on each cylinder, since you can't confirm the timing belt was done properly.

Next step for me would be to check the cam belt!!

Also have a look at the air side of things, so is the air flow meter connected?

Compression check also a good idea if you have the gear.

Out of interest what makes you confirm the fuel pump is working? Just the sound or have you removed the fuel feed pipe to confirm its getting through?

One more question, did it run before the guy changed the belt? You mention he says it does not run now, but when did it last run?

If all was fine before the belt I would look at the belt wrong or the AFM /inlet/TPS area - paying attention to any suspect electrical plugs.

If it did not run and he changed the belt to fix a non runner then compression test.

No I was told it was running before the belt was done whan it was last running not a clue ? it was due to be replaced and the guy thought he would propley got more ££ for it if the belt was done? Anyway I only got it for £150 so not a massive loss.
On the fuel the pump is running in the tank when turned over and after cranking it over and I remove the plugs they have fuel on them, I'm going to check the belt for timing and see whats what with that.