Putting in that check valve tomorrow.

[SnakeyesTx]

I think this article applies to 525's as well because it really seems like I have a drain-back problem on my fuel line.

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/535ihot_start.asp

Aside from the last picture loading halfway... is there a marking on the pump plate that will tell me which line is the sending line and which one is the return? I'd hate to cut and put the valve on the wrong one ... especially since if I blocked the return.. imagine the pressure nightmare I would have just created :D

[gmannino]

Sounds like a great maintenance item to do. I can remember my e34 doing this sometimes.

[zmuff]

Here's a pic of the check valve location that I installed on my car. I don't recall seeing a marking or anything on the pump. Just remember to bleed down the fuel pressure or you'll have a mess back there.
http://members.cox.net/zmuff/crop%20check%20valve%20done.jpg

[SnakeyesTx]

Well, its in there. The install itself only took about 5 minutes, but clearing out the trunk, and taking out the 100+ pound anchor of subs and box was a chore.

From what I can tell.. I definitely had a drainback problem with the sending line coming off the fuel pump. When I took the clamp off, I was bracing for the worst (squirting fuel) but when the fuel line popped off, it was empty. For a second I thought I took off the wrong one but then the equilivant of maybe 10 drops of gas finally dribbled out. Since neither line was marked, I took a chance and thought "Well, everyone in their pictures picked the line farthest from the pump connector, so lets go with that one." I figured since I didn't cut any of the original fuel line I could always go back and move the valve to the other side if I had chosen the wrong one. 2 clamps later, 8 nut covers later, 5 screws and a cover later... and wrestling that anchor back on top and it took about 8 seconds to fire up since the line was empty.

I'll check it again in a few hours to see if the valve works and hopefully have solved the drainback cranking forever issue.

[mamilapon]

Keep us posted. I've got the same issue.

[shogun]

Do you have a part number of that valves you installed and where you bought it etc.?
Looks different from the original BMW valve.
But that does not matter anyway, as long as it can stand 3 bar and the size fits.

Thanks
http://freeweb.siol.net/caposiol/ventil000.jpg
http://freeweb.siol.net/caposiol/ventil001.jpg
http://freeweb.siol.net/caposiol/ventil002.jpg
http://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/bmwfuelpumpcheckvalve.jpg

[zmuff]

I've got the P/N of the kit at home, I'll have to take a look. The kit I bought looked just like the pics you posted, I picked it up at the local dealer for about $6.00. Alternate part numbers perhaps?

[zmuff]

Hey Shogun, I checked out the part number of the kit on my receipt when I got home and it is the same as the one in your pics...16-14-9-068-988, at a big whopping $5.43. Maybe they made a recent change in the check valve they put in the kit. I bought mine January 2005. Oh well, as long as it works right. I also saw 3 gallons of anti-freeze at $22.00 each on the same receipt...damn! It's just not fair!

[SnakeyesTx]

Update : Waited 30+ hours. Just went outside to start up. Crank time was 2 seconds. It idled a little funky for about 2 seconds then normaled out. Seems to work pretty well. Gonna try it again in a few hours to make sure the drainback prevention wasn't a fluke.

The part number passed around this thread is the original BMW part number. BMA sells this, but they don't have it in their online catalog by this number. If you call and order, its no problem for them to get it. I live in Texas, they're in California, and it came in the mail priority in 2 days. I paid 8 bucks, 3 and change plus shipping.

[mamilapon]

Take your car for a drive until it's nice and warm. Go back home and let it rest for ~20 mins, then start it. If it starts straight away, it's fixed!