Cannot get my car to start after rebuilding engine

DAVIDCNOE

MEMBER
2004 BMW X5
3.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I rebuilt the engine and after I completed the rebuild the engine started up and ran. There was no noise coming from the engine. I took it for a drive around the block then the engine stopped working and would not restart. It sounds like it is not getting gas or spark. I checked the spark and there is spark coming from the spark plugs. There is gas smell from the cylinder and the spark plugs were wet from gas.
why would the engine run for a while then stop running?
any suggestions

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

First, if the plugs are wet, either too much fuel is entering the system, no spark, or weak spark. Recheck the spark. Make sure it is a hot blue snapping spark. If it is orange or white, suspect an ignition issue (coil, crank sensor, ground). If the spark is good, check to confirm fuel pump pressure is within the manufacturer's specs. Also, check the coolant temperature sensor output reading to make sure it is not causing an extremely rich fuel mixture.

Fuel specs:

Fuel Pump E53 / M54 / M62 / N62
Operating pressure .................... 3.5 bar = 50.7 psi

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe