My E30 is in a coma... HELP! (1990 318i)
Discussion
Hello all.
The other day getting ready to leave Tescos, started the car, engine ran for the whole of 3 seconds before it spluttered and died. My fuel gauge had been rather low, though the light wasn't on, but assumed it had run out of fuel.
After filling it up with an entire jerry can, attempting to start it failed. I left it for a few minutes to make sure the fuel was in the lines. Tried again, pumped the accelerator, the engine wanted to turnover, but died again, and noticed a whining noise which sounded like the starter motor.
So after an hour of fiddling about and failed starts (making sure not to flood it) we have guessed the starter motor is knackered. But I was also told that something else may be responsible for the starter motor dying, and my mechanic mate also then mentioned the head of the engine might be the problem.. just to add fun into the mix.
So do you lot reckon trying a new starter motor is worth a go, or could there be another underlying, more serious problem?
Any help would be much appreciated, this is my only car, so I need to repair it ASAP, getting the bus into work is not fun.
I shall record the sound of the car attempting to start up, and put it on here tomorrow, just incase it gives away anymore clues as to what could be wrong.
Cheers
The other day getting ready to leave Tescos, started the car, engine ran for the whole of 3 seconds before it spluttered and died. My fuel gauge had been rather low, though the light wasn't on, but assumed it had run out of fuel.
After filling it up with an entire jerry can, attempting to start it failed. I left it for a few minutes to make sure the fuel was in the lines. Tried again, pumped the accelerator, the engine wanted to turnover, but died again, and noticed a whining noise which sounded like the starter motor.
So after an hour of fiddling about and failed starts (making sure not to flood it) we have guessed the starter motor is knackered. But I was also told that something else may be responsible for the starter motor dying, and my mechanic mate also then mentioned the head of the engine might be the problem.. just to add fun into the mix.
So do you lot reckon trying a new starter motor is worth a go, or could there be another underlying, more serious problem?
Any help would be much appreciated, this is my only car, so I need to repair it ASAP, getting the bus into work is not fun.
I shall record the sound of the car attempting to start up, and put it on here tomorrow, just incase it gives away anymore clues as to what could be wrong.
Cheers
If it was the head then you'd have noticed a couple of things (not necessarily together). Check the oil filler cap and dipstick. Is there a mayonnaise-like substance on them?
Or have you noticed that your coolant light has been coming on and that you've been topping up the header tank alot recently?
Or have you noticed that your coolant light has been coming on and that you've been topping up the header tank alot recently?
Thanks for your replies
I've bought a new pump, though in hindsight I probably should have tried a new relay first
Going to have a tinker tomorrow evening and see.
Seeker UK said:
I reckon it's the fuel pump relay.
E30Zone seems to think it's a fuel pump problem.I've bought a new pump, though in hindsight I probably should have tried a new relay first
Going to have a tinker tomorrow evening and see.
Edited by BDR529 on Tuesday 19th April 03:01
Well the relays were fine..
..discovered it was indeed the pump motor that had failed.
Put a new one in, then realised the pump assembly was wrong and designed for larger tanks with a return port already on them.
So this meant my old pump assembly had 2 pipes coming out the top..
Where as the new one only had one..
Hence starting the car petrol came flying out the left over hose, after me and my 2 mates had come to the conclusion it was probably an unused overflow hose or something.
So the good news is that for the 5 seconds we had the engine running we discovered what had gone wrong, the bad news is that now the new pump needs to be fitted into the old assembly.
This will involve cutting the wires as they are soldered to the terminals on both the pump and the assembly.
This brings me to a question, would it be fine to solder the wires together and cover the soldering in electrical tape?
Alternatively, I have been told it might be okay just to crimp the wires together.
Are both these methods okay or will my car burst into flames?
Many thanks.
..discovered it was indeed the pump motor that had failed.
Put a new one in, then realised the pump assembly was wrong and designed for larger tanks with a return port already on them.
So this meant my old pump assembly had 2 pipes coming out the top..
Where as the new one only had one..
Hence starting the car petrol came flying out the left over hose, after me and my 2 mates had come to the conclusion it was probably an unused overflow hose or something.
So the good news is that for the 5 seconds we had the engine running we discovered what had gone wrong, the bad news is that now the new pump needs to be fitted into the old assembly.
This will involve cutting the wires as they are soldered to the terminals on both the pump and the assembly.
This brings me to a question, would it be fine to solder the wires together and cover the soldering in electrical tape?
Alternatively, I have been told it might be okay just to crimp the wires together.
Are both these methods okay or will my car burst into flames?
Many thanks.
Edited by BDR529 on Wednesday 20th April 01:00
Maplins
Halfords
Get your self some heat shrink as well as insulation tape will not last 2 minutes immersed in unleaded.
Halfords
Get your self some heat shrink as well as insulation tape will not last 2 minutes immersed in unleaded.
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