Oil in spark plugs? Car won't start

[davelarge]

Today I travelled to Birmingham and back (100 mile round trip) in my 318is m42. Got home, turned the car off to nip in the house then I tried to start the car again to go back out and it wouldn't start!!

Car turns over and nearly starts so i came to the conclusion that it must be ignition causing it not to start, removed the plugs and found that the two plugs closest to the front of the car were covered in oil.

I'm no mechanic so any ideas what this is? Cam cover gasket? Head gasket?

Any advice appreciated thanks Dave

[Grrrmachine]

I'd say the oil is a byproduct of something else - worn valve stem seals for example. The non-starting thing will be something else, such as rich running leading to poor hot starts, or an air leak.

[Brianmoooore]

Covered in oil up their sides or just on the tips?

[davelarge]

Both really, kind of clutching at straws one of my friends has just been round to try and track the fault but no luck he thinks maybe fuel. When the input fuel flexi has been disconnected where it joins the metal section just before it goes into the fuel rail should it pump fuel when the key is turned and engine is cranked? Thinking maybe fuel pump.

Thanks Dave

[Brianmoooore]

Parts 4 and 5 : http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/2 ... ead_cover/ are part of the cam cover gasket set, and allow oil into the spark plug wells when they go brittle with age, and this is probably the cause of your oiled plugs.
If no fuel comes out of the supply pipe to the fuel rail (the one that connects directly to the rail, and comes from the fuel filter at the back of the engine bay, not the one that connects to the pressure regulator) when the engine is cranked, the most likely cause is a jammed fuel pump. Remove the access cover under the rear seat cushion, and hit the thing while the engine is cranking.

[kangman]

PM'd

[davelarge]

Ok ill try the fuel pump trick and kangman ill check that rubber part and ill let you both know the outcome.

Thanks for the help.

[davelarge]

The rubber block on the throttle body seems fine kangman, Brianmoooore that didn't seem to
make any difference maybe that means the pumps totally dead?

[Brianmoooore]

Check that fuse 11 hasn't blown as a result of the pump rotor being stuck.

[davelarge]

Swapped the fuel pump and she ran like a dream! Thanks guys

[Brianmoooore]

Now sort the cam cover gaskets out, before the ignition system starts acting up!

[kangman]

I recently checked my fuses and it seems that my fuse 11 plastic was slightly melted. Is it time for a new fuel pump?

[toby]

davelarge - great news you got it sorted!

kangman, have you changed fuel filter - may be a bit blocked and pump is having to work too hard - but you may have noticed a drop in performance if filter is gummed up. So could be a worn pump.

[kangman]

Cheers toby much appreciated,

I have just bought myself a new filter so hopefully that does the trick.

Hopefully i will see a difference in performance from the lil m42 lump in there