318i M40 Help

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Dan318-is
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:18 pm

my mate has just bought a 318i which he drove home from southampton to northampton without any problems. however, once switched off, the car has not started.

The fuel lines were taken off but there was no fuel being pumped out of the lines. We changed the fuel pump and still had no luck. We also removed the line before the filter to check if there was a blocked filter but there was still no fuel coming out upon cranking. There is definalty a spark form the cap etc. Both relays on the bulkhead have been changed but there is still no luck. All the fuses are fine.

The fuel lines seem clear as upon blowing down them you can hear air bubbling in the tank, so there is definatly petrol and definatly fuel in the tank

could we just have replaced the failed pump with another failed one? im out of ideas!

help!!
Chris-W
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:27 pm

Does the fuel pump run? Try shorting the relay socket.
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Dan318-is
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:31 pm

yes had the fuel pump on a 12v feed and it primed. Will try the relay socket! dont think il be able to now tho as im back in herts but il tell my mate
zaust
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:31 pm

If the pump is working then you have a blocked tank.... ouch..

if not i have a working pump..
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Dan318-is
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:32 pm

zaust wrote:If the pump is working then you have a blocked tank.... ouch..

if not i have a working pump..
blocked where? you can blow up the lines and hear the tank bubbling though surely this rules out blockages?
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BenA
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:08 pm

Ah beat me to this lol
I've posted pretty much the same thing here: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 619#510619

I'm pretty stumped :(
zaust
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:35 pm

There is a swell pot in the tank. if it's gunked up then no flow.. Where the fuel comes out of the tank to the fuel supply line dose it poor out if you take the pipe off..?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:13 pm

Dan318-is wrote: could we just have replaced the failed pump with another failed one?
Very possible. I have a theory that E30 pumps don't like being stored dry.
Power the pump up by shorting 30 and 87 on the relay socket, and listen to hear if it's running.
Take the supply pipe (one from the filter, NOT the one to the pressure regulator) off and see if fuel, is pumped out.
Dan318-is
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Post Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm

Ben, try that! ^ brian is the e30 information robot mate
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BenA
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Post Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:49 pm

It's sorted :)

Ended up taking it to Almik BMW in Isham, Northamptonshire. Great place I must say! They must have 50 BMWs, mostly older ones (inc a 2002 - lovely) sitting around either being fixed or broken. Really sound people aswell.
Anyway, I explained the situation and left the car with them. Turns out it was some wiring to the fuel pump, meaning it wasn't getting enough power to pump fuel into the engine. We would've probably figured that out if we had a multimeter, but never mind :mad:

Anyway they sorted it for a good price, so I'm happy again!

Just need to get the dodgy idle sorted (I'm guessing it's the ICV), valet it and replace the rear bumper. I'll be satisfied then :)

Cheers for all the help people
Dan318-is
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Post Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:01 pm

james just told me ben.good work son! get those pics up asap
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BenA
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Post Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:19 pm

Tomorrow Dan, once the paintwork actually has some shine back ;)