cars not starting need some help please

[BMWgrl]

So I'm a virgin at this whole message board / post thing. So please bare with me. So the problem with my car is that the last 2 weeks when it's below 0 outside I've been getting my car towed to the dealership cuz it'll turn over but will not fire-up to start. The dealership has already replaced the computer in it and thought that was the problem, but Friday they found out that wasn't the problem. The diagnostic machine is reading everything to be OK. So I told them to start checking things that machine doesn't read (ex. Transponder set up). They have the veterin working on my car and he is totally stumped and I would imagine tired of listening to me bitch. Any ideas as to what else it could be ?[???1] Thanks Lizzie

 

[wood_e]

Well start with the basics. To start you need fuel, air, and spark. I would check for spark, and check the fuel pressure. Make sure you're using good gas. Does it start in warm weather or when the engine is warm? How many miles are on the car?

 

[BMWgrl]

fuel pressure checked good and I always use good gas and get it at the same gas station, I have 35,000 miles

 

[BMWgrl]

thank you for responding i was starting to think i did this wrong

 

[BMWgrl]

always starts in warm weather this is the first time my car has ever been to the dealership

 

[wood_e]

Have they taken off a plug wire while trying to start it and putting the wire close to the exhaust manifold in order to check for spark? Does it start in the dealership?

 

[BMWgrl]

not sure if they've done that and of course it has started at the dealership, just cuz that's my luck

 

[ariper79]

Did they tell you any of the faults that are logging the DME?

 

[Kirby]

Get some Dry Gas/gasoline water absorber for the gas tank, do it for the next 2 or 3 fillups. Read the label, it's usually 1 bottle for a full tank or so. Since all the diagnostics are coming up clean, it might be a frozen fuel line or filter. After they get it in the shop for a few minutes the ice could be melting and everything looks OK.

Maybe it won't fix it, but it's a cheap $3.00 diagnostic test.

 

[Ghost]

Get some Dry Gas/gasoline water absorber for the gas tank, do it for the next 2 or 3 fillups. Read the label, it's usually 1 bottle for a full tank or so. Since all the diagnostics are coming up clean, it might be a frozen fuel line or filter. After they get it in the shop for a few minutes the ice could be melting and everything looks OK.

My thoughts exactly. Buy something like Heet and put it in the tank before you fill the gas tank.

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? If it’s very dirty than it would can only add to the problem.

 

[wood_e]

I doubt the filter needs changing after only 35k. I think some heet will do the job.

 

[BMWgrl]

well now they want me to go to the dealership at 8:30 am cuz they want to see ME start the car. WTF ?

 

[wood_e]

Sigh..... well I bet you should say no thank you. I ithnk adding some heet to the gas might do the trick, but I suppose its worth a shot. Either that or leave it overnight at the dealership and have them start it.