Engine turns over but won't start.

[Boxy]

Engine turns over fine, but won't start at all.

Had this problem yesterday it seems as if the engine isn't getting any fuel. My gas gauge said there was a quarter of a tank left. But adding fuel solved the problem. Today I went to start the car and it's having a similar problem but theres half a tank of gas. It reached below freezing temps last night if that helps any.

I used a match to check if there was gas in the gas tank and there def. was.

Many thanks in advance!
Justin

[tiFreak]

can you hear the fuel pump come on?

[Boxy]

I hear a buzzing sound underneath the hood and its continuous until I cut the ignition off. it doesn't sound like its pushing fuel.

[Boxy]

Actually I think thats the idle air control valve? I don't hear the fuel pump, bad pump?

[Boxy]

So it's def. the fuel pump. I'll have to order a new one, I didn't see a write up already posted on how to do it? Should I write one as a go? It seems pretty straight forward tho.

[PittsburghSteelers318ti]

Try this write up.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...-Fuel-Pump.htm

[aceyx]

Quick test to see if you're getting fuel is to pull a sparkplug and sniff.

To check fuel pressure, disconnect the fuel filter (it WILL spray everywhere; wear eye protection and have a place for it to go).

Or just have someone start the car while you sit in the back, ear to the seat. You can normally hear it start humming.

[dave45056]

Check out my post (#8) in this thread:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22695
This way you can check the wiring and operation of the fuel pump before buying a new one.

[Boxy]

Thanks everyone for the help. We've been working on it all day. We checked all the electrical at the front end it was good. The pump wasn't working at all we worked from the fuel filter and started to disconnect hoses working our way to the rear to see if there was a hose that was bad once we got all the way to the fuel pump and still no fuel was coming out. so we pulled the pump and tried it then. of course fuel sprayed all over the place! go figure. so we reinstalled everything. it appears to be running fine now? i'm not sure if the problem is intermittent or what?

we have a new pump on the way but i'm not sure if we need it now? i was thinking of replacing it because this is the second time we've had this problem. opinions?

Thanks the help!
Justin

[Will'sBimmer]

What was the final result? Because I am having similar problems.

[Bills86e]

The schrader valve is on the fuel rail. You can use a big rag and a tire pressure gauge to check pressure. I suggest while its off and not running.
Fuel pump is in tank. Remove back seat bottom and a cover is screwed down on passenger side.

[Bills86e]

Fuel filter can get clogged up. Good time to change that.
Fuel pumps when they get crud in there, they can run intermittatly.
Suggest you change the fuel filter. I have removed the pump itself
from the assembly and put a 2' clear line on it, mix a cup of TOLUOL
& 3 cups gas, place in large bowl and then jumper the pump on and
circulate that mix thru the pump several minutes and am Surprised
at all the rust & crud in the mix bowl. The pumps I have done still
are working today! If you jumper after reassembly and in tank, you
can attech that clear line to the return line and watch the flow back
into tank. A little risky, but if it is flowing fast, the fuel pressure regulator
could be faulty. Hope your pumps run smoothly & consistant again!