1983 bmw, fuel problem? spark problem?

Question

i have a 1983 bmw 320 1.8, and it died on me the other day i banged the fuel filter and got it going, so i thought it was that.. i just changed it, same problem had a hard time starting, finally i got it to go once and i drove it around for a bit, when stopped i had to keep the foot on the gas to keep it from stalling, now i turned it off again same problem wont fire up? any suggestions

Answer 1

Well with a car it could be so many things.  Alot of things can cause the same exact symptoms with a car.  

It doesn't sound like a spark problem to me, in my experience a spark problem will keep the car from starting at all.  But its possible maybe its just 1 cylinder that has the problem... If 1 cylinder isnt firing you might smell gas in the air.

Hmm fuel problem... yeah that might cause some of the symptoms you describe.. might not be getting the right fuel/air ratio (which would affect the fuels combustibility).. or it might be getting sporadic amounts of fuel (maybe the fuel pump is starting to fail? or theres a hole in a fuel line?)

Though when I've had the problem you have described Ive found its the timing.   Either my timing chain/belt broke/slipped which would cause the car not to fire spark at the right time or not at all keeping it from starting.. or if starting.. idling correctly.  The timing is what I would place my money on.

Diagnosis of the problem is always the hard part... actually fixing whats wrong is easy.  Anyone can fix whats wrong with a car.  But not everyone can figure out what is wrong.  Thats why shops charge 75 dollars an hour for labor.  If its the timing I highly suggest professional help, theres alot to it.

Answer 2

well you might have some water in the gas so id try a bottle of fuel treatment