BMW 318i won't start

[delerdelarosa]

This morning I tried starting my 1984 BMW 318i. It would start up, run for a few seconds and then die. I left it there and went to work.

When I got home, I tried using the manual choke that the previous owner had installed. After pulling the choke knob towards me about a half an inch of the way, it started and ran fine. I drove it for about 15-30 mins and refilled the tank to full with premium unleaded.

While driving it, a quacking rubber sound began to emanate from the engine (it aint comin' from the tires).

While going up a hill on the way back, my car idled and stopped. The engine won't even start this time around at all. My thinking is it is the alternator belt that was making the noise and it is somehow gone and is preventing the car from starting. Has anyone else have experienced the same problem?

I'm a newbie.

[flipsgonetopless]

first of all is your last name delarosa??? Well I had an 84 318i and I had a similar problem with mine, there were times it would not start but if I let it sit for about 10 minutes it would magicly start up. I gave that car to my brother in law and he changed the computer and it started up, but he also changed the relays and injectors. Well I hope that this helps you with a little of info.

[delerdelarosa]

Hi. Yeah, it's Delarosa

I just brought it to the garage and it was the alternator bushings. I had the alternator rebuilt and now the noise is gone. Since the alternator bushings were worn out, the alternator wasn't securely in place and it would make the squeeking sound which was the belt not spinning properly. Therefore, when I stalled on the hill (my bad) the alternator couldn't jolt the battery since it wasn't working properly.

That problem is fixed now and onto other problems! :wink

[flipsgonetopless]

Cool my last name is also De La Rosa.

Well good I'm glad you got to fix it with minimal work, for mine I had to do quite a bit of work to it. Cool and happy driving...