Fuel delivery issue.

[Grush]

Found the spare key and was able to get into my little project car (96 318i).

Got some juice to the car and cranked it over. Started for a second or two and died. I cranked again with no luck. The fuel gauge shows 0 fuel. Okay, no gas... So I get some fuel and try again. Once again it starts for a few second and dies. After that is keeps cranking. Got some starter fluid and went through the air intake. Car starts and runs as long as I keep sprayer so definitely fuel related. I checked the fuse which is fine but I could not figure out which one is the fuel pump relay. (If someone could assist)

I pulled the back seat and checked the pump. I didn't rear any noises coming or felt any movement. I pulled the two plugs from the pump. I have nothing at all on the white plug and I get 12v on the black plug. Is this right? I can't imagine that the white plug would be for nothing, If someone could possibly explain the way this system works that would be great.

I kind of thought that it could be a plugged fuel filter from the way she is acting but I doubt it after looking at the pump.

Thanks guys,

Grush.

[Grush]

Oh yeah, after letting it sit for a while I came back to it and the gauge now shows half tank so it must have been jarred loose. I also must ad that the car sat for about two years before I started working with it now again.

[WhoNew]

I would say before you run it AT ALL, you need to change the oil.

[stephenslyman]

fuel pump or relay, but id say the pump,
same thing happened to mine, was sitting up for 6 months, starts and dies, and eventually wont start at all, i got a fuel pump from a breakers yard for 30 euro and changed it in about 5 minutes, and it started up 1st time.
Steve

[jwilson592]

If there was gas left in the tank it may have gone bad and is wreaking havoc with the fuel system. It can cause varnish and gummy deposits in fuel system components (fuel lines, filter, pump, injectors.) Also the fuel tank may have water in it from condensation.

[Grush]

I am kind of leaning towards the fuel pump as well. I read the Bentley manual and it says that I should be getting power on the black plug which is telling me that the pump is not engaging.

On a side note, what other fluids should I change since this thing sat around so long? I am going to do the oil obviously but should I do the coolant? How about the break fluid, and gear lube in the tranny and differential (manual trans)? I also wanted to know if this thing has clutch fluid or if it is just manual?

Sorry for all the questions but I will be driving this car for a long time hopefully so I want to fix it up right.

Thanks,

Grush.

P.S. Should I put in fuel stabilizer or just drain the tank?

[jwilson592]

I would suggest changing the coolant, and brake fluid. I wouldn't be as worried about the trans and differential since they are sealed, but if there was already lot of miles on those fluids a little bit more of preventive maintenance wouldn't hurt. The hydraulic clutch uses fluid from the brake reservoir so when changing the brake fluid bleed the slave cylinder to make sure new fluid is flowing through there as well.

As far as the fuel tank, I would at least drain it and add fuel stabilizer to the fresh tank of gas. That way any water in the tank would be absorbed. When you replace the fuel pump, inspect the tank a little and make sure there isn't significant amounts of sediment in there.

[Grush]

The car only has 58k on it so I wouldn't think that any other fluids would need to be changed. Any suggestions on how to effectively bleed the drain, clutch and fuel tank? If there is a step-by-step somewhere I will take it.

Thanks,

Grush.

[jwilson592]

Bleeding Brakes:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/Mult-Bleeding_Brakes/Mult-Bleeding_Brakes.htm

Clutch Cylinder:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Clutch_Slave/E36-Clutch_Slave.htm

As far as draining the tank Bentley manual just says pump out with an approved fuel pumping/extraction equipment, and from the sound of it from where the fuel pump is.

[Grush]

Okay, so I went back out tonight and tried the meter on the black plug (right hand side). I have no power going to the plug in the on position engine off but I do get something when I go to crank the engine. I cannot hear the pump running when everything is connected.

I can feel the relay click when I turn the key, but I still don't get any power until I crank. To me it sounds like maybe the relay and the pump but I would appreciate a second opinion before I go start spending money.

Thanks,

Grush.