Problems with E46 not starting |
Post Reply |
Author | |
gary w.
Groupie Joined: 04-February-2009 Location: Airdrie Status: Offline Points: 83 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 07-August-2012 at 21:21 |
My boss at works got an E46 318i. His wife was driving it today when the engine management light came on. She pulled over, called my boss, then proceeded to drive a further 3 miles to work. When she turned the engine off, it wouldn't start again. He's plugged in the diagnostics and its coming up various fault codes all pointing to no compression an ANY cylinders. He's checked the usual timing chain and had the cover off and turned the engine over. Everything's turning as it should, camshafts turning, valves opening and closing as they should but the car won't fire. He thinks its something electrical that's telling the ecu there's no compression thus not firing the engine. Anyone any ideas as to what could cause it??
|
|
Sponsored Links | |
Andrew Rolland
Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Did he try resetting the fault codes back to 0 then drive it again to replicate the fault? Sounds unusual that it is implying complete failure like that, makes me think that it has just thrown it's toys out the pram. Resetting the fault codes would confirm this if it doesn't do it again.
Complete head gasket failure is the only thing I can think off that could cause loss of compression in all cylinders, either than or the head has warped? Check for water in the oil, under the oil filler cap. I don't suppose his wife noticed what the temp gauge was reading when she was driving it when the fault happened?
Tell him not to let his wife drive it again that ususally cures such problems.
|
|
Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
|
gary w.
Groupie Joined: 04-February-2009 Location: Airdrie Status: Offline Points: 83 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
thanks for the reply, were heading down the route the timing gears maybe jumped a couple of teeth on the sprocket, either the intake or the exhaust cam. Would maybe explain why it continued to run, because at higher engine speeds it would have some compression, but trying to fire it would struggle to gain enough compression. We need to check the timing first to see if thats ok
|
|
Andrew Rolland
Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I don't think there would ever be enough slack in the timing chain to allow the chain to move far enough away from the gears to allow it to slip over a tooth.
Keep us posted on what the latest is.
|
|
Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
|
Sporty1
Really Senior Member II Joined: 18-October-2006 Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2297 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
What codes is the car actually bring up?
|
|
Sport Evolution Schwarz #043 |
|
Post Reply | |
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |