Car blew up in my face. Still can't get it to start

**Oday0111** · 03-10-2018, 01:11 PM

So I've been working on this car for about a month now still havnt started it yet.

Yesterday was a good day. Car started with starting fluid but died very quickly after

I have a extreme fuel issue can't solve

Replaced

Spark plugs
Fuel pump
Valve cover gaskets

What it needs
Fuel filter
Maybe fuel lines
Oil
Gas

The car still isn't starting after replacing alot. I know for sure it's not getting fuel.
But idk why

Could fuel lines be clogged
Could the gas be bad? If so how do I drain the left side tank. I only have 5 l in the right and 25 in left

Fuel filter fully clogged?

Fuel injectors clogged?

I almost blew up b3cause starting fluid back fired through the intake setting some paper towels on fire that where covered in starting fluid

I really need some help on this one any response will help. I just really want to get this car on the road thanks

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**jclausen** · 03-10-2018, 03:06 PM

Under the passenger front carpet is a large fuse box with those flat metal type fuses, maybe one of those is blown

**Timm** · 03-10-2018, 03:21 PM

This article shows how you get the fuel out of the tank - and check if the pump is actually working:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Fuel_Ta...ank_Repair.htm

More info on how the fuel tank works here:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Sender/Index.htm

**Oday0111** · 03-10-2018, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Timm

This article shows how you get the fuel out of the tank - and check if the pump is actually working:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Fuel_Ta...ank_Repair.htm

More info on how the fuel tank works here:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Sender/Index.htm

I know the pumps pumping for sure I flipped the relay in the trunk and I can here it turning on and pumping

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**Oday0111** · 03-10-2018, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by jclausen

Under the passenger front carpet is a large fuse box with those flat metal type fuses, maybe one of those is blown

Huh didn't know about that I'll check up on those ones. I replaced all fuel related fuses in the hood and in the trunk

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**Oday0111** · 03-10-2018, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Timm

This article shows how you get the fuel out of the tank - and check if the pump is actually working:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Fuel_Ta...ank_Repair.htm

More info on how the fuel tank works here:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Sender/Index.htm

I also don't believe it's a fuel leak. The info very nice but I feel like bad gas has sat in the fuel line and has gone bad. Is there any way I can clean the fuel lines without the car running? Thanks for the help guys

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**Timm** · 03-10-2018, 05:14 PM

The fuel should circulate from the pump up to the fuel pressure regulator - and then return to the tank constantly as long as the pump is running - so stale fuel should not stay in the fuel lines.

**Oday0111** · 03-10-2018, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Timm

The fuel should circulate from the pump up to the fuel pressure regulator - and then return to the tank constantly as long as the pump is running - so stale fuel should not stay in the fuel lines.

Ok that's handy info I bought a fuel filter just havnt replaced it because I bought the one without regulator. My car has the filter with regulator.

Can the fuel filter get clogged enough to make fuel not flow?

Also what about fuel injectors? Any way they can be covered in dirt so much they don't open?

Thanks again

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**Oday0111** · 03-10-2018, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Oday0111

Ok that's handy info I bought a fuel filter just havnt replaced it because I bought the one without regulator. My car has the filter with regulator.

Can the fuel filter get clogged enough to make fuel not flow?

Also what about fuel injectors? Any way they can be covered in dirt so much they don't open?

Thanks again

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Also what about thick gunk or dirt from the fuel building up in the fuel line to block it. I feel like I have a block or the fuel from the left side of fuel tank isn't pumping over. When I replaced the fuel pump, there wasn't much gas where the pump goes. Basicly non. Should it be filled with gas in the fuel pump housing in the gas tank? Or is that how the car is supposed to operate

Thanks so much. very close to solving this issue

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**Timm** · 03-10-2018, 07:29 PM

Just try adding a few gallons of fuel - if the surge tank was empty no fuel was circulating. But, measuring the pressure or at least checking if fuel is available at the fuel rail would be a good plan....

**Oday0111** · 03-11-2018, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by Timm

Just try adding a few gallons of fuel - if the surge tank was empty no fuel was circulating. But, measuring the pressure or at least checking if fuel is available at the fuel rail would be a good plan....

Ok I'll start on that asap

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**Oday0111** · 03-11-2018, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by Oday0111

Ok I'll start on that asap

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But the surge tank was deffinetly dry. The left tank had alot and the right only had 5 liters

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**Timm** · 03-11-2018, 04:21 PM

From this diagram:

...you can see that the surge tank is filled by the fuel RETURN line from the filter assembly (which includes the fuel-pressure regulator) - if the fuel does not circulate then the surge tank will soon empty. But, to get the system working again you must get fuel into the surge tank!

**Oday0111** · 03-15-2018, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Timm

From this diagram:

...you can see that the surge tank is filled by the fuel RETURN line from the filter assembly (which includes the fuel-pressure regulator) - if the fuel does not circulate then the surge tank will soon empty. But, to get the system working again you must get fuel into the surge tank!

Mind blown. You opened my eyes. Makes so much since now on how the surge tank gets filled

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**Oday0111** · 03-16-2018, 01:44 PM

So now today I filled it with gas.

Surge tank also has gas in it. I looked with my own eyes and there was fuel

Made sure the pump was working by manually flipping the relay and seeing if fuel came out which it did.

So I tried starting it and once again it did not start.

I'm out of ideas on why it's not getting fuel from the pump.

Probably gonna order a new fuel filter after I go check and see if I'm getting fuel pressure

Anyone have any ideas?

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**Timm** · 03-16-2018, 04:29 PM

Well, you said you bought a new filter so you might as well fit it first. When you do, make sure fuel is heading towards the engine from it:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=13_0811

There are three pipes (plus a vacuum pipe) - a send from the fuel tank, the return, and fuel to the engine - leave that pipe off, poke the relay and make sure fuel comes out!

**Oday0111** · 03-16-2018, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Timm

Well, you said you bought a new filter so you might as well fit it first. When you do, make sure fuel is heading towards the engine from it:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=13_0811

There are three pipes (plus a vacuum pipe) - a send from the fuel tank, the return, and fuel to the engine - leave that pipe off, poke the relay and make sure fuel comes out!

Will do! Sounds like a good idea. I'll keep you updated Timm thanks for all your help

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**Oday0111** · 03-23-2018, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Timm

Well, you said you bought a new filter so you might as well fit it first. When you do, make sure fuel is heading towards the engine from it:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=13_0811

There are three pipes (plus a vacuum pipe) - a send from the fuel tank, the return, and fuel to the engine - leave that pipe off, poke the relay and make sure fuel comes out!

Ok so today I fitted in the new fuel filter.

The old filter was deffeinetly very clogged air wouldn't even go through it.

But the car still not starting

But there's good pressure at rail.

What could be the issue if there's fuel at the rail and pressure?
Fuel injectors clogged?

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**Timm** · 03-23-2018, 05:24 AM

Pop a plug out and see if it is wet.....

**Oday0111** · 03-23-2018, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Timm

Pop a plug out and see if it is wet.....

Will do. If not wet what could it be. If wet what do I do

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**Oday0111** · 03-23-2018, 10:21 AM

Sounds like to me the injectors arnt spraying at all. Could this be due to the crank sensor

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**Oday0111** · 03-23-2018, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Timm

Pop a plug out and see if it is wet.....

I pulled one of the plugs... wasn't really wet at all just stank of starter fluid. Could my cps be causing the injectors to not open up. Is there anyway I can test my cps before I go and buy a new one

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**Timm** · 03-23-2018, 12:34 PM

Well, if it is cranking but you have no spark then the first suspect would be the CRANKshaft sensor - but - you got it firing on starter fluid when you started this thread and I can see no reason why it would suddenly fizzle out....

**Oday0111** · 03-23-2018, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Timm

Well, if it is cranking but you have no spark then the first suspect would be the CRANKshaft sensor - but - you got it firing on starter fluid when you started this thread and I can see no reason why it would suddenly fizzle out....

Yeah I have no clue. Besides something related to the fuel injectors. I've heard that if crankshaft position sensors go bad they can mess with the injectors

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**Grantnz** · 03-25-2018, 11:21 PM

Are you getting power to the injectors? Consider pulling an injector and having someone briefly turn the engine over while you observe if it sprays (into a plastic jar).

Thread: Car blew up in my face. Still can't get it to start

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