E30 Starting Issues..

[Chalk 0]

Ok so i just got my car back from the panel beaters... Rust job taken care of! But now something happened on my way home, the gas was cutting on and off and i was unsure of what to do... I could change gears fine but the same thing could happen. Then driving down a straight road the car didn't lose power but the engine just stopped. I tried turning it on - sometimes it would turn over, gargle a bit of gas and then cut out after about 10 seconds of poor running. I also noticed that i couldn't rev it what so ever. Battery then seemed as if it died but then came back to life after sitting for 5minutes. So i tried jump starting it and nothing. Also tried roll starting it but that didn't work. The engine can't be siezed because the fan still turned when i tried turning the key. Anyone got any ideas? Rather frustrated... If you need more information i can try answer but i'm not too knowledgable on the topic =( Help me please?

[*Glenn* 854]

You haven't said where the rust repairs were carried out. It could be that something might have been left loose by the panel beaters......maybe not. Especially if the car had no issues before. It may just be coincedental.

If this happened on the way home from the panel beaters...I would ring them and tell them what happened and take it from there. I'm sure they'll sort things.

[M325is 0]

Hmmm, this is a symptom of my car also. Occasionally caning round left hand corners especially the engine cuts and battery light appears, only cuts for a split second then full power again. I'm wondering if this is linked to my ignition switch fault? Another symptom is temperamental starting... when you really want it to start it wont, any other time it will. Maybe its just to stop you robbing a bank. No quick get aways for me.

[325_driver 422]

ive had the same problem, but turned out to be water and crap in the fuel tank

i had crap in my tank for ages, cause i remembered how it got in there,

and it was sitting in there for 2 weeks before i had problems.

could be that, but im thinking some thing to do with ignition,

ask them what they detached and put back together

[3series 0]

I don't know too muc habout the subject but the first thing that comes to mind is someones removed a grounding point and not put it back on correctly. If you suspect any damage has been done, first thing you need to do is let the panelbeater know taht you're having problems, no blaming just say that it seems to have started since and ask for any suggestions as to what might have happened on there part and anything they suggest, then take it to your local trusted / reputable / autosparky mechanic and have it checked out.

Edited April 28, 2008 by bmw3

[Silver Fox 43]

My 2c, fuel pump relay not seated properly.

[Chalk 0]

Ok well the rust was done on the lower sills on both sides, left hand side wheel arch and also a bit in the left hand side door. Would any of that cause them to need to remove parts? Or change anything mechanical wise?

[*Glenn* 854]

Ok well the rust was done on the lower sills on both sides, left hand side wheel arch and also a bit in the left hand side door. Would any of that cause them to need to remove parts? Or change anything mechanical wise?

Have you spoken to the panel beater. He should be able to tell you. If they didnt disturb anything you need to get it checked by a BMW specialist or a good sparkie.

[Chalk 0]

I'm going to try get in touch with them today but times a bit of an issue as i'm running late for work. Another theory, could it be a blocked fuel filter? Cause on the way home the car ran out of gas completely... Could that have sucked up enough crap to block an already bad filter?

[Eagle 1662]

Quite possibly, easy and cheap to change it esp if its already old cant go wrong.

[Chalk 0]

Hah ok well my panel beaters are flat out denying it was anything to do with them and they just avoided my question of "did you touch anything mechanical" sooo yea! Ugh!