318iS Starting Problems after Engine Conversion

[E30-Andy]

Just finished converting my engine from M40 to M42 but the bugger wonÔš't start.

All cylinders are firing ok but I canÔš't hear the fuel pump priming when the ignition is turned on.

However if I loosen the petrol pipe where it goes into the fuel injection block there appears to be pressure.

I have changed the white relay on the bulkhead and fuse 11 is fine.

Any ideas where I should start?

Cheers

Andy

[Pal318is]

Not sure about the fuel problem

But your ride is definately PHAT

[jonb]

hi andy

remember me. you bought the i.s bottom end from me around a year or so ago. anyways......

have you tested the fuel pump? you can do this by bridging the terminals @ the relay conection.(cant remember the numbers for the ones you have to bridge but it says in the haynes manual)

or you can just remove the rear seat, and plate, and test the fuel pump with a battery.

i.s coil blocks can be tempermental, this maybe worth looking into.

[E30-Andy]

Hi Jon,

Yep I remember you, good to hear from you m8.

Been out to test the pump like you said. When I bridge the terminals on the relay there is nothing from the fuel pump and when I run a positive directly to the fuel pump I can hear the pump running ok.

I was hoping the coil packs were ok coz each plug is sparking ok.

IÔš'm starting to think there is something majorly wrong with the electrics somewhere.

[E30Mark]

OK, if the lump hasn't run for a while it might be that the hydraulic tappets are jammed open. This means the valves aren't closing fully and you have very little compression.

Jump start the car from another car, and just keep cranking the M42 over, hopefully this will get her started.

This happened to my 318iS once when i hadn't used it for a few weeks...

Hopefully the electrics else where are OK.

Mark.

[moutraklas]

i wish i could help you but i really dont have any ideas... Still, i couldn't resist saying... WOW... That is a BEAUTIFUL car you have... I wish you many and fine klm with that babe...

[Demlotcrew]

Have you got an alarm on the car?

Andrew

[E30-Andy]

Andrew,

Yep I have a Clifford ..... fitted it myself ... doesnt control the fuel pump thou.

gonna have to get the multi-meter out and start testing the loom

[Demlotcrew]

have you got the correct ECU?

Andrew

[E30-Andy]

Yep Andrew, got the iS ECU and engine wiring harness from a 318iS which I am using for spares. I might take the engine harness back out and check all the connections. I'll need to find out what the pins are for that connect it to the main wiring harness.