No Start help

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pappentl
Posts: 161
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:11 pm

No Start help

Post by pappentl »

my '81 528i is not starting. I pulled the plugs (Bosch Pt) and they were very fouled. I replaced them with new Cu plugs, and have swapped out the following with used components that were good when removed:
AFM, ECU, Ignition control, fuel pressure regulator, master relay along with a new cap and rotor. The engine spins fine, I know I have fuel (at pressure) and spark, it just won't catch.

Any ideas on where to go next?

...tom
...tom
and now an '80 528i, the 7th and last in the series
1981 528i, no. 6 in a series... only 270 k miles
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Mike W.
Posts: 2790
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

If it's got fuel and spark... Assuming timing is sort of close and the timing chain hasn't given up. You say the plugs were fouled, how so? Was it flooded? If that's the case, key off, pull off the ECU connection in the glove box, then crank it and try and start it. It should sputter and fire momentarly, burning off the excess fuel. Key off again, plug the ECU back in and you should be good to go, it will no longer be flooded. Check for spark first though, if it's got compression, spark at about the right time and fuel, it's gotta fire. (says the guy typing away at a computer hundreds or thousands of miles away, LOL)
Mike W.



1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
pappentl
Posts: 161
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:11 pm

no start

Post by pappentl »

That was it, it was flooded after many attempts to start it. After sitting for several hours it came back to life. I've never seen spark plugs fouled as badly as these were.
...tom
and now an '80 528i, the 7th and last in the series
1981 528i, no. 6 in a series... only 270 k miles
T.Hanson
Posts: 1696
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:39 am

Post by T.Hanson »

Noted Bosch pt, if acronym translates to Platinum Tip, consensus here is WR9 DS ( S for Silber). Platinums haven't gotten very good reviews, including don't even go there.
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