1985 323i has fuel and spark but won't start

[Catboy916]

Hi,

I am trying to get a 323i started and have replaced a couple of things, it has fuel coming out of the injectors, there is a spark but it won't start. I have read lots on the internet and think it may be one of the following:

ECU.... Don't know how to confirm this.
ICV.... But I think by just pressing the throttle it should start.
Cold start valve.... Can't find much on this to confirm.

Is there any advice you can give?

[Speedtouch]

Try spraying brake/clutch cleaner down the throttle body while someone cranks the engine over.

Also, ensure you have the spark plug leads fitted in the correct order.

[Catboy916]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll give it a go later.
I'm pretty confident about the spark plug lead order but i will check.
Another thing I read about is the Fuel Pressure Regulator. Again, I don't really know how to check to see if it is ok.

[Speedtouch]

No problem. You'll probably need to use a fuel pressure gauge to determine for sure whether or not the FPR is working correctly, but they are generally reliable.

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

How long has it been since it last ran, and does it have fresh fuel in the tank?

[Catboy916]

It last ran about 16yrs ago! The tank is about 3/4 full. I know the octane levels drop over time but I would have thought it would be good enough to run. The car is pretty immaculate as it's been garaged all that time so things like timing I doubt will have changed in any way.

Do you know anything about the ECU. Is it possible to work out if that has died? I read something about a battery but it wasn't that clear.

[RB2]

16 year old fuel lol. Drain it and put in some fresh fuel and a new filter.

Bad fuel could well be your problem

[Catboy916]

I replaced the fuel pump and put a new fuel filter in but i didn't think that the fuel going off would cause it not to start. I'll give it a go.

That actually makes sense as when it is turning over it of fires. I couldn't work out how there could be fuel in the cylinders, a good spark and next to nothing when it is turning over.

Anyone need 40 litres of 16yr old fuel????

[Speedtouch]

Indeed, 16 year old fuel could well be the cause of the problem; the benzene part evaporates over time, leaving a varnish residue, which could be clogging your fuel injectors if you try to run it through.

As said above, best to drain it all out and use it instead for parts washing or similar, and get some fresh fuel in the tank.

If the spark plugs are firing, then the ECU is probably fine.

[Catboy916]

Update.
I sprayed brake cleaning fluid into the air intake and still no firing. What I did notice was that it sort of fires when it first turns over, then nothing. The manner it turns over is like there is very little compression; imagine how it turns over when there are no spark plugs fitted. It's the same sort of sound. I also noticed that there was very little induction draw into the air intake.

I have put plenty of oil into the cylinders to ensure the bores are oiled and the rings can do their job. My theory now is that perhaps the valves are sticking open. Has anyone heard of this happening?

I am in the process of getting a compression tester for the cylinders. Once I have this I should be able to confirm my theory.

More to come

[daimlerman]

Is the cambelt intact?



16 years without running.....cambelt life is 30k/3 years....

[Catboy916]

Yes the cam belt is intact and turning the cam shaft happily. It is on my list to change though.


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