Have done repairs, car won't start ....

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Hi All,

I had a broken timing chain guide, opened her up (540 1994) - timing chain covers and lower sump cover. Now fixed .....

Have put everything back together, set the camshafts with the timing blocks and locked in TDC, etc. Did everything I thought I was supposed to do, put all the bolts back in their places, no spares left afterwards .......

and the sucker sounds like it wants to start but just won't.

I have tested the following:
1. Ignition coils;
2. Crankshaft position sensor;
3. Main relay;
4. Engine coolant temp sensor;
5. Intake air temp sensor;
6. Throttle position sensor;
7. Air flow sensor;
8. Fuel Injectors; and
9. Idle speed control valve.

Don't have oxygen sensors.

When I just keep winding the starter she seems to build up momentum like she's going to start but then there'll be a little blast and all the zing is gone, back to just being turned over with the starter.

I'm pulling my hair out here. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I searched the forum but am bit lost for keywords other than "starting" "not starting", etc.

Regards
Richard

[Hallmark]

My wifes car wouldn't start yesterday. No codes, turned over fine, just wouldn't start. About a year ago my other E34 had a noisy fuel pump so I changed it out, but when I changed it I kept the old fuel pump since it was still working when I took it out. Sure enough...

When the key is in pos. 2 you should be able to hear the fuel pump in the trunk or right rear wheel well. A normal pump will make a quiet but obvious "buzz".

FWIW

[632 Regal]

I cant hear my pump at all. I would do a compression test on it and see whats up there, you could have the cams off a tooth or 2 which would cause this.

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Will the compression test show that my timing is out ? .... Valves opening and closing at the wrong times will give me low compression ?

[Bill R.]

case it should be popping back out the intake manifold and in the exhaust..

Will the compression test show that my timing is out ? .... Valves opening and closing at the wrong times will give me low compression ?

[632 Regal]

eeesh...that could also bent the valves. Hopefully its just a couple teeth off and thats it.

Have you checked if your getting spark?

case it should be popping back out the intake manifold and in the exhaust..

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yep, spark and fuel, no knocking of valves on piston tops

[632 Regal]

sounds like a nasty case of checking the cam timing.

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am opening up and checking .....

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I'm more than a little frazzled!!

Opened up guts and checked both camshafts on both sides with crankshaft and all my settings were spot on. So I thought maybe I should be able to hear my fuel pump and went and tested. After initially tracking the wrong relay (two similar relays) and getting all excited because at least I've now found problem with open circuit between relay and fuel pump fuse, I discovered the correct fuse and the reason why I don't hear the fuel pump buzzing is because the DME only switches the relay when you turn the engine over with the starter. After forcing the fuel pump relay closed I could hear both the fuel pump and the electronic box fan......

So now I'm up the creak without a paddle. Any other ideas other than dragging a dealer mechanic to my house ?