95 runs for a few seconds then dies

[islandtime]

I'm about at my wits end with this car. I've changed almost everything and no real change. It is hard to start but will start and run for a few seconds then die every time. The dme, fuel pump, cam sensor, tps, afm, plugs, wires, coil pack, and the crank sensor ohms out but hasn't been replaced. It runs very rough and sounds like its backfiring out the exhaust in front of the cat when it does run. I want to just sell it but I'd rather it be running when I do.

[pdxmotorhead]

Drill small hole ahead of cat, put low pressure pressure gauge in hole, should be less than .5 lb pressure or so.. if the cat is plugged it will push up to 10 lbs if really trashed. Engine becomes un-runnable. I dont see fuel filter on the list,, At the point your at,, Compression test (Wet with oil) and a leakdown would be my next steps.

Dave

[islandtime]

Fuel filter was changed, as well as a compression test. I can see a plugged cat more and more because of the noise and that it runs only for a few seconds and when it shuts down its hard, like it just stops rather than spin a few more revolutions like a normal engine would.

[fiveseven808]

I'm the current prospective owner of this car!

Through some parking lot diagnostics we were able to hypothesize that a fuel injector is sticking open.

Can't really idle. Sounds extremely rough. Car seems to want to increase RPM as my foot stays on the pedal. Lasts for a little while (20 seconds if I'm lucky), then cuts out violently and suddenly.

We assume that the fuel injector kinda works, then suddenly sticks open, dumps fuel and the engine freaks out and dies.


Any other ideas?
With any luck, I'll pick up the car tomorrow and/or swap out injectors this weekend.


Edit: Forgot to mention. Car's ECU was swapped with a '94 318i and throws a 1214 code with a stomp test. No CEL. Internet says 4 cylinder BMW engines throw 1214, no one knows what it i means. (stuck injector? :P )

[pdxmotorhead]

It also sounds a lot like one of the intake hoses is cracked. Either the air flow meter to the throttle body, or one of the hoses for the IAC valve.

Cheers.
Dave

[islandtime]

All of those, including the IACV are all new as well.

[pdxmotorhead]

Its not unknown to jump a timing chain and they will run really really bad... (Wild guess...)

I thought 1214 was "end of code list"... I would also suspect weirdness if your car date of build is a late model year, a lot of 1996 snuck in to the last couple months of 95.. My 95 has mostly 96 style engine accessories.. I always have to check the parts ...

Dave

Wonder if you have something buggered up in the injection harness?

[islandtime]

It's a possibility but it all looks good. I took the cover off and checked the wiring at the rail and testing resistance, voltage, and ground on all of them and they all seem fine. I have never once seen a timing chain jump without the gears being worn to near nubs. That also wouldn't cause the motor to run but just a bit rough then all of a sudden go ape ****, sputter bad, and shut off.

[Rockford]

You said you replaced the fuel pump but could you have got a bad one? Probably not but I've seen it happen before
Good luck on it


Sent from my iPhone 5

[islandtime]

It's straight from BMW so I hope not. We pulled the injectors and spark plugs last night and it appears cylinder 3 and 4 are the ones acting up because the intake is sprayed clean under those injectors and when it's not running right those plugs come out wet with fuel.

[fiveseven808]

Swapped injectors 2 and 3. Soaking them in seafoam did absolutely nothing (aside from cleaning external goop). If you keep your foot on the throttle, it can be kept at 2k. Drop the throttle and it dies violently, bring it higher than 2k, it dies violently. More and more it looks like injectors...

If OP can find the title, I'll probably go to the junkyard tomorrow morning and try and pull injectors