540i Starting But Doesn't Run

WrenchesOnJunk · 11-14-2015, 04:49 PM

Good morning all! I've not yet been active on the e39 side of things, but my name is Alex, and I'm a Bimmer-holic. I've owned a 2004 325Ci, which I sold at 127k miles, bought a 2007 e90 335i with about 80k miles last year, and recently bought a 1988 528e as a side project. I've done a lot of work to the 528 and while it's cool and all, I recently caught within my gaze, a 2001 540i6 for sale semi-locally. The car has a dent in one of the doors, but otherwise nothing a little touch-up couldn't fix. The interior is in decent shape for the age (it seems like e39s hold up better than e46s). Oh, and the car doesn't run. The seller states that he was driving it one day and had to limp it back home, has not tried to turn it over since then. He said it misses and hiccups and won't stay running. He says he thinks it's the timing chain, but I also think he has no idea what he's talking about, and that seems unlikely to me unless I'm not getting the entire story. As of now, the battery is apparently dead, as the car has been sitting. Im still waiting to hear back about any maintenance that's been done on the car.

From what I've read online, this almost seems like classic fuel pump/system issues, crank position sensor, or MAF sensor. The car is for sale for DIRT cheap too. I'm not afraid of putting $500-$1000 into it to get it running, as it would still be worth it as far as the car's value is concerned. I'm not afraid of doing a lot of the work myself either. From your guys' experience, what does this sound like? I guess I'm looking for advice on what to look for so that I can determine what type of fix is required. Is there anything I can test while I'm there? Maybe even tinker and see if I can get it running well enough to drive it home instead of towing it?

Thanks in advance guys!

///F80M3 · 11-14-2015, 04:51 PM

It could also be an alternator issue.

WrenchesOnJunk · 11-14-2015, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

It could also be an alternator issue.

I'll keep that in mind. I'll be taking my code scanner. Hopefully that'll point me in a direction I can follow. Will it throw codes with no warning lights? The seller said that no lights came on.

SakhirM4 · 11-14-2015, 04:57 PM

Try this guy

mike@540i6.com

overcoil · 11-14-2015, 04:59 PM

Could be a timing chain. And the owner may exactly know and he's obfuscating to give the impression it's a DIY fix.
What's the asking price ?

WrenchesOnJunk · 11-14-2015, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Could be a timing chain. And the owner may exactly know and he's obfuscating to give the impression it's a DIY fix.
What's the asking price ?

I agree, that could definitely be the case. He said that the car was his "Pops' car" and that he believes it's the timing chain, but that's more his brother's expertise, not his. It was running great that morning but happened suddenly. Guy's asking $2000.

WrenchesOnJunk · 11-14-2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Try this guy

mike@540i6.com

I got a mail delivery failed notice.

Dackelone · 11-21-2015, 04:59 PM

Does he have an original BMW key? There is a chip inside the key fob that tells the EWS module to let the engine run. No chip(or correct chip) and the engine just starts and then shuts off. Maybe he has another fey to "test"

https://www.google.de/#q=bmw+ews

sygazelle · 11-21-2015, 06:08 PM

Love your passion for the BMWs. I'm also afflicted.

The 2001 540-6 goes in the $6-12k on cars.com, so you have some room to play if you want to take a chance. I've had two of these E39 beasts and I highly recommend them if you can turn a wrench or know a great mechanic. Both issues (water pump and timing chain) mentioned are certainly possibilities. Hope turns out to be doable and you get the car at that low price.

I also had an 1988 528 back in the day. What a fun car that was!

Good luck.

11-14-2015, 04:49 PM	#1
WrenchesOnJunk Enlisted Member 31 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2016 550i M Sport, 2006 330i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Owens Valley, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 Honda Insight [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 2016 BMW 550i [0.00] 2001 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 [0.00] 1993 Ford E350 Club ... [0.00]	540i Starting But Doesn't Run Good morning all! I've not yet been active on the e39 side of things, but my name is Alex, and I'm a Bimmer-holic. I've owned a 2004 325Ci, which I sold at 127k miles, bought a 2007 e90 335i with about 80k miles last year, and recently bought a 1988 528e as a side project. I've done a lot of work to the 528 and while it's cool and all, I recently caught within my gaze, a 2001 540i6 for sale semi-locally. The car has a dent in one of the doors, but otherwise nothing a little touch-up couldn't fix. The interior is in decent shape for the age (it seems like e39s hold up better than e46s). Oh, and the car doesn't run. The seller states that he was driving it one day and had to limp it back home, has not tried to turn it over since then. He said it misses and hiccups and won't stay running. He says he thinks it's the timing chain, but I also think he has no idea what he's talking about, and that seems unlikely to me unless I'm not getting the entire story. As of now, the battery is apparently dead, as the car has been sitting. Im still waiting to hear back about any maintenance that's been done on the car. From what I've read online, this almost seems like classic fuel pump/system issues, crank position sensor, or MAF sensor. The car is for sale for DIRT cheap too. I'm not afraid of putting $500-$1000 into it to get it running, as it would still be worth it as far as the car's value is concerned. I'm not afraid of doing a lot of the work myself either. From your guys' experience, what does this sound like? I guess I'm looking for advice on what to look for so that I can determine what type of fix is required. Is there anything I can test while I'm there? Maybe even tinker and see if I can get it running well enough to drive it home instead of towing it? Thanks in advance guys!
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11-14-2015, 04:51 PM	#2
///F80M3 Major 659 Rep 1,095 Posts Drives: 16 AW M3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	It could also be an alternator issue.
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11-14-2015, 04:57 PM	#4
SakhirM4 Major General 10804 Rep 8,852 Posts Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW Z4 M40i [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [8.76]	Try this guy mike@540i6.com __________________ Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
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11-14-2015, 04:59 PM	#5
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Could be a timing chain. And the owner may exactly know and he's obfuscating to give the impression it's a DIY fix. What's the asking price ?
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11-21-2015, 04:59 PM	#8
Dackelone European Editor 10851 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Does he have an original BMW key? There is a chip inside the key fob that tells the EWS module to let the engine run. No chip(or correct chip) and the engine just starts and then shuts off. Maybe he has another fey to "test" https://www.google.de/#q=bmw+ews __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-21-2015, 06:08 PM	#9
sygazelle Brigadier General 14079 Rep 3,465 Posts Drives: 2014 328i M-Sport, 2019 X5 40i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Love your passion for the BMWs. I'm also afflicted. The 2001 540-6 goes in the $6-12k on cars.com, so you have some room to play if you want to take a chance. I've had two of these E39 beasts and I highly recommend them if you can turn a wrench or know a great mechanic. Both issues (water pump and timing chain) mentioned are certainly possibilities. Hope turns out to be doable and you get the car at that low price. I also had an 1988 528 back in the day. What a fun car that was! Good luck.
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