SOS please help, car wont start

Originally Posted by GSherbs

Not necessarily, many pumps fail silently. In fact I think most fail silently and do so quite suddenly. I've only heard/read of a few cases where a pump gave out some "warning noises" before being replaced or failing.

If it is the pump, after all of these attempts to start the car, you'll have zero pressure at that schrader valve mentioned earlier.

Thanks. I didn't get to test anything yet given the inclimate weather and my car being outside and working during the days... So, if I do have pressure from the valve, it's not my fuel pump? (do I need to turn the ignition to get pressure at the fuel rail, if my pump is working.) Could it still be the fuel pump relay?

I'll probably go ahead and order the pump/filter/gasket/relay for a PM job anyway, so diagnosing may not be necessary if the car starts after that, but curiosity may get me to check. I just don't want to risk fuel shooting out everywhere even though I plan to cover the valve while doing so. Is it a mist? Stream?

Think putting your thumb on the end of a garden hose. Pressure does not indicate that it's working as well as it should, it just rules out the electrical side (fuses, relays). I am not sure how to explain this more clearly.

If you replace it all for a blown fuse, I will laugh at you.

Hi OP here.

I finally got the car started, but not sure how. I think it was vapor lock in the cylinders or something. When I was changing plugs I left the plugs out for a few days and I guess condensation got in there or something. It fluttered and fluttered as I cranked until it finally started and it let out a big white cloud.

Anyway it runs and drives fine, but it occasionally has rough idle and I still have the lean codes popping up as soon after I clear them. The problem seems to trigger at start-up. Someone suggested that I change the O2 sensor given that it's the original.

I have yet to tear into the intake system to look for an air leak... Anyone have any other suggestions? BTW, I did change the fuel pump and filter as PM, but that didn't have any impact on the lean issue...

Sounds like a vacuum leak to me.

Suggest you read the first link below in my signature for vacuum leak and lean code info.

I had an 01 330i myself. There's an "accordion" style boot that comes out of the intake manifold and connects to the airbox. Over time cracks develop in the folds of the boot and causes air leaks which would throw your lean code. I would check there. It's really simple you just bend the boot and spread the folds open to see if there's any cracks or slits. I could be wrong but that's where I'd check first