Problem With Cold Starting 320i

[ghostnova]

Problem With Cold Sstarting 320i
Basically my 320i was sitting a while. It seemed like I had to press full throttle to start and then it never started except with starting fluid and only for a few minutes. It seemed like it wasn't getting fuel because the plugs were dry and it was getting good spark. The pre fuel pump, electric fuel pump, accumulator, and fuel filter all seem to be working well, becuase I am getting very good fuel pressure at the fuel distributor and starting valve. I checked my HAynes book and it said I should check the following when:

Engine will not start from cold but fuel pump operates:

test the following:

Empty fuel tank (no problem here)

Ignition fault (tested with spark tester and works well)

Fuel pump pressure low ( pressure is excellent)

Start valve faulty

Checked the start valve and verified that it works by connecting terminals to battery. Fine spray of gas comes out of nozzle. Further when sprayed into the intake manifold the car starts immmediately. During cranking however there does not seem to be power (12 V) at the connector. Could this be a bad relay? If so which one? Anbody have an idea. If relay I located at fuse box with termainal 97, how can it be tested?

Additional air slide inoperative

The valve was supposed to be half way open,but was open only a few millimeters. May be bad, but I suspect the start valve is the problem.

Baffle plate incorrectly set

I have not tested this or know how to access it without removing intake manifold. I assume this what others were talking about on a similar topic.

Vacuum system leaking

Doubtful but I am testing and checking.


If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know. The best I can do now is to get it running a few seconds and it dies and that is usually with starter fluid or when I manually get the start valve to spray fuel into the intake manifold.

Thanks, Ghostnova