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help!!!!, can not get engine to fire
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:37 pm
by Wil
Hi to all,
first I will like to thank all the people resposible for this site.
I am the proud owner of a 1981 528i, wich I have been working on following the tech advise of all of you guys,(I am not a mechanic but I like to play one)

and specially Sean Steinman and Peter Claassen , who walk me step by step during the engine removal and installation.
Long story short the engine is back in the car after the rebuild and will not star,I have good spark at the plugs and I have gas coming to the fuel rail, but no fuel being injected into the cylinders,after crancking the engine the plugs come out clean and no signs of gas on them.
What do I check next?????
Thanks
Wil
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:34 pm
by T.Hanson
A better doctor will help more, but if there's fuel at the rail I'd suspect something funny with the wiring harness, the caps not working the injectors.
Only because it happened to me, do check you installed the distributor with the # 1 valves closed, TDC. I managed to have the harmonic balancer mark lined up, 180 out.
That wouldn't cause the dry plugs though.
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:05 am
by Wil
Hi T,
thank you for your reply
Yes that part is ok, OT on harmonic balancer, first cylinder both valves closed (tdc), and distributor rotor to 1.
The engine was running when taken apart, and everyhing is pluged back in the same place (had tags on each conector)
How do I know if the injectors are getting electrical signal from the ecu
Aybody?
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:14 am
by Wil
I get 0.04 to 0.06 volts (as I cranck the engine) , to the tester, conecting it to the first injector plug
Is that the correct reading?
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:48 am
by Peter Florance
First test, prop airflow meter door open and turn key to 'run'.
Does fuel pump run?
If not check fuses and combo relay (there's an faq for that)
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:42 pm
by Wil
Hi Peter,
Yes ,door open, pump runs, good fuel pressure to the rail.
but plugs are coming out dry after I cranck for a while.
It seems that the injectors are no injecting, but I can hear the clicking of them putting my ear next to a long screw driver.
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:46 pm
by Peter Florance
Wil wrote:Hi Peter,
Yes ,door open, pump runs, good fuel pressure to the rail.
but plugs are coming out dry after I cranck for a while.
It seems that the injectors are no injecting, but I can hear the clicking of them putting my ear next to a long screw driver.
will it light off on starting fluid?
They may be stuck shut if it sat for a while
There's a way to fix it though.
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:57 pm
by Wil
will try starting fluid tonite,
Let you know tomorrow
Thanks a million
Wil
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:23 am
by Wil
Got it,
I had a ignition timing issue, engine is runnig yeahhhhhhh!!!!!
Thank you for all your help
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:03 pm
by GripGreg
So, I guess you just turned the distributor? It's a good feelin' huh??
Congrats,,,,Greg
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:07 pm
by Wil
So, I guess you just turned the distributor? It's a good feelin' huh??
Congrats,,,,Greg
LOL!!!!!!!That is exactly what it was !!!!!!!
Thanks Greg