Can anyonework this out

[Bunker]

Okay. Like i've said in another thread after spinning my car and smashing the passenger back wheel and trailing arm up and then getting them repaired (well the arm at least), my car then decided to cut out, however it started again afew seconds later, that was until I had been out and about for a few hours turning the car off at the various places I went to then it starting with no problem, until I went and filled the tank, it started, drove 100 yards up the road and then cut out, that was on Wednesday. It hasn't started since. It has a full tank of gas, there is plenty of life in the battery, it now has a new coil (I thought that was the problem) a big spark coming from the HT lead, a new regulator in the fuse box and after disconnecting the fuel feed line we found out that the gas is being pumped nicely.
That therefore has or at least seems to have ruled out a problem at the fuel pump end, a dead battery, a dead coil and no spark.
It still wont start....HELP PLEASE its doing my head in.

 

[DanAgnew]

I'm new to BMWs, so I might be way off base...

Like I said, I am new to these cars, I just got a E30 in the past month and haven't fooled with it a lot, but could it be a vacuum issue near the tank? Since you got hit in the back (sounds like near the gas fill area) could there be a gas tank vent hose on the tank that got pinched?

I use to have a pickup years ago that had vacuum issues if the tanks was over filled. What would happen is the tank couldn't breath and it would form a vacumm preventing gas from getting into the fuel lines. If you let it set over night, the vacuum would leak off and the truck would run again. If you pinched a vent line on your tank, you may be experiencing a similar event.

Like I say, I'm very new to these cars, but it is an idea.

Dan

 

[Bunker]

Thanx but I dont think it would be something like that, I have had the fuel pipe off at the engine end and cranked the engine , fuel pumped out quite happily. There doesnt seem to be any obvious reason for this problem, all the ingredients to make the engine turn over are there. It just wont do it.

 

[Rukus]

i always check the MAF first, wire or vane style. ITs the main sensor involved in your fuel delivery.

could be a loose plug?

 

[epj3]

Dead coil and/or bad dist. cap/rotor.

 

[newguy]

I personally think there is a lot of merit to Dan's suggestion about the pinched off vent. The pump would still supply eneough fuel until the tank began to pull a vacuum. I think it would show signs of "running out of gas, or fuel starvation:, and quit. The pinched off vent would not allow a normal amount of air to establish suction on the pump until it had sat for a few minutes...I would look there, if you haven't...good luck

 

[Kirby]

I agree with the fuel delivery comments. Things have changed in that part of the car, it's the logical place to look. As newguy said, you could get 10 - 15 seconds of delivery under test. But under operating conditions, you could be pulling a vacuum. It's easy to eliminate. Just loosen or remove the gas cap completely. If it still happens then you can rule out a vent problem.

 

[Bunker]

After going over and over what i've already done , I decided to check the fuel pump again, as this was the side and end that took the full force of my little bump. After removing the cover over the pipes I noticed one pipe was definetely wet at the join by the jubilee clip, I tried to tighten it up, cleaned up the fuel and dried it as best i could then cranked the engine (no joy, but wasn't expecting any), I then went back to check the pie and yes it was soaked again and there was astrong smell of fuel. I am therfore hoping that I (with some help from my bimmer forum friends) have located the source of the problem,. Although there is not a lot of fuel coming out of it there is obviosly a leak of some sort....Please tell me this could be it before I die.

cheers

 

[Kirby]

Perhaps the leak is due to a kinked or pinched line? A kink would create higher back pressure, and could be the cause of the leak and your other problems. I would keep looking....

 

[Pink_Floyd]

I vote Motronic ECU failure.

 

[Bunker]

I cant see anything bent, pinched or damaged down there apart from this one pipe that seems to be leaking a bit of fuel. As the car took a smack to that side and that particulae area i am assuming the damage will be around that area and no where else.