'84 325e starts but won't run - BMW Forum

shadytreemech · 03-20-2011, 12:25 PM

For the past few months my 325e has been giving me problems with starting. Sometimes it would start right up and other times I couldn't get it to start, then come back later and it would start. One time it set without me being able to start it for a week and started right up on the next day and worked fine for the next week or so. Then one day it began to just start then die within a few seconds and I haven't been able to keep it running for the past month. I had a guy look at it and he blocked off the return fuel line behind the fuel pressure regulator and the car would run fine for about 5-10 minutes then the engine would flood. So the guy suggested it might be the fuel pressure regulator and that I replace it. Well, I did and it didn't help any. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

The first image is of the new regulator and to show you how the return line is, and so I can ask what the silver thing is just under the regulator? The second image is to show how the return was blocked off and the car would run til flooding like this. I took the round silver thing out of the line and can see straight through it. Is it suppose to be that way like maybe a surge protector or is there suppose to be some kind of filter or valve in it?

brettski · 03-21-2011, 01:15 AM

Welcome to the Werkz. Maybe a silly question, but did you check the flow direction on the regulator?

shadytreemech · 03-21-2011, 02:09 AM

If you are suggesting I mounted it in reverse, the regulator can only be bolted down one way. it has 3 openings. the top one is a vacuum hose, the bottom one is to the return line, and there is one on the back that presses into the fuel rail and is sealed with an o-ring.

terry717 · 03-30-2011, 05:32 PM

I had a similar problem. But mine was starting and sometimes not. I found out banging the top of the tank would make the pump kick on. then I realized it started harder the more gas I put it..figure that one out. well I changed the fuel pump and haven't had a problem since, bracket and all incl screen well worth the price for it starting every time. Other than now I have a vacuum problem. May be an obvious question, but your pump is working properly at start up? Mine never gave me issues after it started.

shadytreemech · 03-30-2011, 05:57 PM

I can hear both pumps. They seem to be working fine. Like I said in the first post "I had a guy look at it and he blocked off the fuel return line behind the fuel pressure regulator and the car would run fine for about 5-10 minutes then the engine would flood.", so they have to be if it can stay running when the return is blocked.

terry717 · 03-30-2011, 06:23 PM

Maybe your ECU then not working properly to keep everything in sync with fuel delivery.