Help with starting my e30 - E30 down! - Video included

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Mhiran
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Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:41 pm

Ello,

Right, we are currently trying to start our beloved e30. We cannot figure out why it isn't starting, so i've uploaded a video onto youtube so some bright spark can hopefully diagnose the problem!



Cheers in anticipation!

Mhiran
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tomislav
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Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:14 pm

Well a battery capable of turning the engine over would be a good start. It really needs to be of brand new power. Then you can start diagnosing stuff.

What have you done to the car before trying to start it? Rebuild? Or is this how you bought it?
'Assumption is the mother of all f**k ups'
Grrrmachine
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Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:46 pm

That could be anything at all, not least a complete lack of battery juice.

So to start with, have you taken out a spark plug and grounded it to see if its sparking?

Have you disconnected a fuel line and bypassed the fuel pump relay to see if you're pumping fuel?

Have you done a thorough check of all rubber intake components for air leaks?

If you've got the three (air, fuel, spark) then it must be a more complex problem like a duff sensor, but ensuring you have the big three is a good place to start.
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e30briyan
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Location: North West Ldn Drives: Polo 6n & E30 325i

Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:15 am

ive been working on this car aswell, we've replaced all the spark plugs and they are sparking, pumped some fuel directly into the engine and it fired not sounding too healthy but nevertheless it fired! does this mean a new fuel pump? or could it be a leak in one of the fuel lines? wheres the best place to start? cheers for the help
magpie
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Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:38 am

the fuel pump is my guess + battery.
put a direct 12v feed to the pump and crank it over with a good battery,
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m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
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e30briyan
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Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:19 pm

cheers for the help guys, will give it a crack today and let you know how we get on!
magpie
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Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:58 pm

did it start then??
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
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Mhiran
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Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:23 pm

got delayed, will let you know tomorrow!
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e30briyan
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Location: North West Ldn Drives: Polo 6n & E30 325i

Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:44 pm

checked the fuse and its fine, also tried to jump connectors 30 and 87 and nothing happened, took the relay and tested it and its working fine, only thing i can think of now is pump, how much are they roughly and where's the best place for them euro car parts?
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