318i won't start

Post Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:35 pm

M40B18 engine, been running fine since installed 2 months ago (car off road). Moved it on Sunday and now can't get it to start.

Engine turns, a spark at every plug and appears to be fuelling okay. When I pull the plugs they are all wet so maybe a bit too much fuel if anything. Plugs are a bit on the black side, but the engine has been running sweetly, idling okay etc.

I'm guessing something electrical but can anyone help?

Post Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:43 pm

Are your earths ok? I had a similar problem, turned out the Bolt holding the main earth strap to the block, had worked loose!

Post Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:48 pm

Have a read of this and tell us what it suggests for your car:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... oubleshoot

Post Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:11 am

Timing belt slipped maybe

Post Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:28 pm

Thanks for the replies nguys, I'm away from home till Friday - I'll have a look at everything and provide an update.

Phil - I've checked the earth - I once wasted a week because of that one and now make sure it's the first thing I check whatever the problem is!

Post Mon Mar 18, 2013 2:14 pm

An update - during a break in the pissing rain I managed to have a look at this, following the Wiki troubleshooter flow chart.

All down to a split, well hidden in the bottom of the rubber boot from the MAF. Small enough to be hard to find big enough to suck in chunks of air. New boot and problem solved.

Thanks for all the replies.

Post Mon Mar 18, 2013 3:42 pm

Good to know the Troubleshooter helped! I ought to put little E30s with crosses over them to indicate each case its solved