Won't start after oil change

[ryankokesh]

Nothing out of the ordinary... went to turn it on to run a few mins before I rechecked the oil level, and just got nothing.

It could be a bad starter or fuel pump, but what are the odds that they'd fail exactly when I changed the oil? Also, the fuel pump has already been replaced...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGA3Ds6vyGA&hd=1

[Hermes]

I'm betting on fuel filter being clogged

...it could be the fuel pump, but you said you changed it already. Sounds like no fuel

[ryankokesh]

Could spark plugs have anything to do with it?

I should just try replacing the filter though...


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[Hermes]

Theoretically yes... I don't know how to check for spark on a car with pencil coils, but that also would mean that all 6 of your cylinders decided to go bad at the same exact time which is very unlikely. I still would bet on no fuel to the engine

[Lanister]

I'll just take a wild guess, if you have a spare (old) spark plug, plug it into the coil and crank it the motor (someone will have to help you there). It should fire. At least you'll know if there's power to the plugs.

[Hermes]

Also, could be the fuel pump relay. That actually makes sense to me as the likely cause. You can just swap it with the horn relay and test that way

Edit: check the fuse for the fuel pump both in the glove box and the engine bay (the drug bin on the drivers side). That would be a quick and easy fix

Edit2: if you test for spark and it exists, and you have fuel, it's likely you camshaft position sensor

[Avetiso]

Did you try going back to the old oil? :rofl

[ryankokesh]

I'm fairly certain I heard the fuel pump running....


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[ryankokesh]

Did you try going back to the old oil? :rofl

Hahaha...I was almost at that point.


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[Hermes]

Do you have any carb cleaner or something to that effect?

[ryankokesh]

Yeah


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[Hermes]

Pull the MAF, spray in the boot for 2 seconds. See if it does any better. Essentially it will be starting fluid so you know that fuel delivery is your issue

[ELCID86]

You may want to turn off the headlights while cranking to to save your charge. Hope it turns out to be an easy fix.

[kayger12]

How many miles on the fuel pump? How many since the fuel filter was changed?

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[danewilson77]

If he "just got nothing" this implies to me an electrical issue weather it be starter, battery, etc....

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[ryankokesh]

That was probably a bad way to put it. The starter cranks great, but I'm not getting any kind of ignition at all. I'm guessing everyone that said fuel filter is right... Now I just have to figure out how to get one!


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[ELCID86]

This: http://www.amazon.com/filter-pressure-regulator-325Ci-KAYSER/dp/B006Q7HDII/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382014799&sr=8-1&keywords=bmw+e46+fuel+filter (use affiliate link of course)

[ryankokesh]

i'm guessing it's the fuel pump or relay:

No fuel comes out of the fuel rail service port if you depress the tiny knob thing
I removed the back seat and don't hear anything when the I put the key in position 2


I wanted to check that the pump was getting power, but apparently my multimeter crapped out. :facepalm

Also, I was wrong: the fuel FILTER has been replaced. I don't know that the pump has been yet.

[ryankokesh]

I popped 6 in 3's spot (RealOEM diagram of relays) (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=61_1100&hg=61&fg=25) and still nothing. How loud will the fuel pump be when I put the key in position 2? I'm not hearing anything, so it seems it's gotta be that.

[Johnmadd]

i'm guessing it's the fuel pump or relay:

No fuel comes out of the fuel rail service port if you depress the tiny knob thing
I removed the back seat and don't hear anything when the I put the key in position 2


I wanted to check that the pump was getting power, but apparently my multimeter crapped out. :facepalm

Also, I was wrong: the fuel FILTER has been replaced. I don't know that the pump has been yet.


Sounds like the fuel pump died. Mine died after parking it at work in the morning and went to go to lunch and lots of cranking and no start, and I had no symptoms, it just died.

[ryankokesh]

damnedest thing...

[Hornung418]

You will hear a buzzing noise when the key is in pos 2. That will be the pump priming the lines. It would audibly present itself with the seat propped up.

If its the filter you replaced then surely the pump has failed.

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[alexandre]

Wow. That's one heck of a coincidence.

[ryankokesh]

Patrick BMW Pump: $370

:facepalm

[ryankokesh]

Wow. That's one heck of a coincidence.

Right?? I'm so confused about how that possibly could have happened.

[alexandre]

Patrick BMW Pump: $370

:facepalm

Get Siemens VDO if you can wait a few days for shipping, about $130 shipped from BMA parts (they make the BMW pump)

Make sure that's your issue 100% though. Did you check for power to the pump cable ?

[ryankokesh]

Yeah, I have to run out and get a new multimeter to check power to the pump whenever I get access to a car... lol I did try switching out the relays, so I ruled that out.

How bad is it if I go with the Airtex to save $100? I would just order the VDO, but I kinda need to drive the car... :/

[ryankokesh]

Just stuck an led into the harness in lieu of using a multimeter. Confirmed voltage at pump when in the key's in position two, and pump still doesn't make a peep when it's plugged in. That's about as certain as I can get...

[Hornung418]

Yep. OEM or bust however. I would not risk something as important as the FP to an aftermarket option.

Easy repair. Good luck in the meantime :-)

Sent from my GS3.

[ryankokesh]

Doh... Not what I wanted to hear, haha.


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[wsmeyer]

Just stuck an led into the harness in lieu of using a multimeter. Confirmed voltage at pump when in the key's in position two, and pump still doesn't make a peep when it's plugged in. That's about as certain as I can get...

Way to MacGyver it lol

Sucks that happened but at least you figured it out and it's easy.

[ryankokesh]

Hah, thanks. Went ahead and ordered the good one... hope it get's here quickly!

[ELCID86]

Weird timing that it went our during an oil change. (Murphy?)

[ryankokesh]

Yeah, I'm beyond amazed at the coincidence. So much so I'm afraid the new pump won't work, lol.

[Hornung418]

Don't be amazed at the price. This is a 100k mile maintenance item. I bet you your car will hum a little more efficiently down the highway after repairs ;)

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[billschusteriv]

You can always pop the rear seat, and (at the same time) turn the key to start and apply some mechanical agitation to the top of the pump (smack it). Be careful not to hit the fuel lines.

Occasionally near/at the end of useful life, the motor in the fuel pump sticks. The mechanical agitation is usually enough to get things moving again. Which may or may not last until you get home or to a service station.

I've used this trick twice to get rolling again.



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[Hornung418]

OMG! Bill it is wonderful to see you checking in with some awesome information to boot.

Hope things are well!

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[Newjack]

OMG! Bill it is wonderful to see you checking in with some awesome information to boot.

Hope things are well!

Sent from my GS3.

+1

Biiiiiiillll!!

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[billschusteriv]

Thanks guys!

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[danewilson77]

Ha! Good seeing you around Bill.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[johnrando]

Bill, :hi

[kayger12]

Bill, :hi

Holy crap!! It's Bill!! Nice!!!

[billschusteriv]

Thanks! You guys rock. I did post something in the DIY section sometime ago about this "trick".

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3643

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[billschusteriv]

Hope this is it Ryan. Your diagnosis seems spot on - keep us posted when you get the new one installed.

Hope you don't have a full tank....

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[ryankokesh]

I'm betting on fuel filter being clogged

...it could be the fuel pump, but you said you changed it already. Sounds like no fuel

Looks like you win! New VDO fuel pump and it started right up.

As annoying as this was, it was pretty darn lucky. This is the second "catastrophic" issue I've had (exploded expansion tank is the other). This time I was in the garage changing my oil, and with the expansion tank I was at an indy shop on a dyno. Somehow this thing has never left me stranded, lol!

Glad this chapter is over. Although I did enjoy driving the xi all week. Even stuck a new fan clutch on it for my dad :)

[kayger12]

Glad you got it worked out.

What brand was the last fuel pump and how many miles were on it?

[ryankokesh]

Pretty confident it was the original. It was a VDO, and had the weird-ass BMW hose clamp on it. So 130k ish prolly. I had it in my head that it had been changed recently, but that was the FILTER, lol.


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[ELCID86]

Glad you are back on the road.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[kayger12]

Pretty confident it was the original. It was a VDO, and had the weird-ass BMW hose clamp on it. So 130k ish prolly. I had it in my head that it had been changed recently, but that was the FILTER, lol.


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Ahh. Gotcha. Pretty good life for the original pump.

[billschusteriv]

Nice! Good to hear it was the pump. Thanks for the update!

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[johnrando]

+1, good to hear.

[fredo]

Glad to hear you are back into business. Please add more details about the exploded expansion tank. Did it affect some other coolant system components ?

[ryankokesh]

Nah, it just bombed on the dyno. Big crack down the side. Coolant everywhere. All other components were fine.


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