N42 dead!?

[Eben Bosman]

Please help or make a suggestion!!

My 2003 E46 318i (N42 2L engine) is dead!

I did check the fuel pump fuse first, 100%. I even replaced with new one to be sure.

Took the plastic cover off from engine bay to get to fuel rail. Depressed the valve on the fuel rail while cranking the motor, and fuel squirted out, although it looked a bit feeble for a fuel injection motor to me!? Dunno

Checked each individual coil. Took each coil off and checked spark with an old plug. All 4 coils had spark.

What now!? It appears as though I have fuel AND spark. Why the hell is the motor dead!?

 

[Jive_E46]

Please help or make a suggestion!!

My 2003 E46 318i (N42 2L engine) is dead!

I did check the fuel pump fuse first, 100%. I even replaced with new one to be sure.

Took the plastic cover off from engine bay to get to fuel rail. Depressed the valve on the fuel rail while cranking the motor, and fuel squirted out, although it looked a bit feeble for a fuel injection motor to me!? Dunno

Checked each individual coil. Took each coil off and checked spark with an old plug. All 4 coils had spark.

What now!? It appears as though I have fuel AND spark. Why the hell is the motor dead!?

Crankshaft position sensor. If it's not even cranking then maybe an electrical issue. You'll have to do an OBD read.

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[Eben Bosman]

Motor does turn over. It seems like there is no spark or petrol, which is NOT the case.

No funny readings on the dashboard too

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Where is the crankshaft sensor located? Is it easy to see from the top? Maybe bad connection?

 

[Jive_E46]

Motor does turn over. It seems like there is no spark or petrol, which is NOT the case.

No funny readings on the dashboard too

Then I'd take a look at the injectors.

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[zaleonardz]

If you have fuel, spark and compression.. it must run.

Any sensor, crank or cam that has gone faulty, will interrupt spark (crank definitely, cam depending on motor).. It will run, may run poorly, but it will run, you say that you have spark...

Try this, if you are sure you have spark, take a bit of EeziStart or quick start, Cosby in a can if you will, or anything flammable, and spray that down the intake, check if it lights off..

If you have spark, can mimic a fuel source, then compression...

 

[Eben Bosman]

Double and triple checked spark on all 4 coils.

Took the fuel rail and injectors off too, all 4 of them spray when the motor is cranked.

Talked to the mechanic working for the local BMW guru, and he reckons might be some module? controlling the variable valve timing motor, that is the problem. Maybe this thing not functioning and valves only tiny bit open? Dunno!? I have never seen something like this!? Petrol and spark but jot even a splutter from the engine!?

The variable valve timing motor was recently replaced with a genuine part. My car is a high miler, 273k km. Motor very very good, no smoking or oil use at all. No funny noises too. These motors usually a bit noisy, not mine. Full service history too. I'm the 3rd owner

 

[evnmopwr]

Get the car scanned.

Sounds like crank sensor.

 

[Nick]

My money is on the crank sensor too.

 

[Chucky]

+ 1 on crank sensor

 

[Yulz9081]

Yep sounds like crank sensor. I had the very same issue back when I had mine.

 

[zaleonardz]

if it has spark, its not crank sensor.

Have you checked for pigeons in cylinder 4 ?