fuel "check" valce

[manolobonz]

Alright I've got another annoying issue that I can't seem to pinpoint and fix! I've got no problems really with my car right now, everything is working fine, but I have a starting issue that I can't figure out. Everytime I start my engine either in the morning, or only after half an hour of turning it off after a drive for a few kms, my car does not start smoothly and immediately. You know when you turn the key, it should crank once or twice then fire up right, but with mine, there are many times the car cranks a few times before it fires up, and worse of all is when it fires up, sometimes rpm dips way too low at the point of almost dying before it picks up again. I hope I'm illustrating it well enough for you to understand. Now I've just replaced the fuel filter today, thinking it was just clogged, and that it delayed the fuel from reaching the engine in time to fire up, but even with the new filter, it still happens. My guess is that the fuel, after shutting the engine off, immediately flows back towards the tank, instead of remaining "pressurized" or "locked" in place. So I'm thinking there's a fuel check valve to stop that from happening. Therefore when trying to start up again the fuel isn't in place for the engine to fire up right away. Now this doesn't happen when I'm on a full tank, it fires up right away. That's why I'm thinking about the fuel not being there when it needs to be whenever I'm on half tank or less.

I had the injectors and ICV cleaned recently, got a new fuel pump last year i believe, maf is new also, had a tune up, plugs, filters, and oil changed recently, so I can't think of anything else anymore! Please help! and I hope this wasn't too long of a read for you, and let me know if I need to add any more descriptions. Ride is a '98 E36 316i. Thanks very much!

[karlos328i]

could be the relay?

[manolobonz]

Could you describe more about the relay please? I'm not very savvy with that

[karlos328i]

go to your fuse box and on the lid it should tell you which fuse or relay is situated? ie fuel pump relay.

[C Sean Watts]

manolobonz,

If you car is still doing this, test your fuel rail pressure with the engine off. Also, check the fuel pressure regulator.

If you DID do a good repair please let us know what it its so others can fix this problem, as well.