Engine problem

Hy !
2 weeks ago I bought myself a BMW 2000 '69. Right now I'm trying to get the engine running. Oil , battery , airfilter , cooling , elektr. and gas are allright. When trying to start , the engine turns but doesnt start.
Does anyone know what I should look for to get the engine running ?
Thanks in advance :D

Rampicatore

Nice car mate. Any photos.
I think you said you testedthe electrics. Does that include the spark plugs, and the HT leads. The probem happened on my cousins Range Rover 3.5 V8. Just a suggestion. Good luck mate.:)

What I meant is. Are they clean.:sun:

I haven"t tested the sparkplugs yet , because I don't exactly know how it should be done in an easy way. Maybe the startingproblem is caused by bad sparkplugs as you mentioned. Could this be the only cause?
I'm just scanning some photo's I took when the car arrived at my home.
I'll post them here this evening. Thanks for the help !

Rampicatore

Spark plugs ar'nt the only cause.
When you try to start the engine does the starter turn the engine briskly? If the starter does turn fast, the battery and starter are ok. Since you said the battery is OK, slowly press the acc to the floor, return the choke and try it again. If this don't work, check the plugs to see if there is a spark at the plug leads. If No is there a spark from the HT leads.
If there is no spark at the plug lead, remove the plugs to see if there dirty (covered in oil/wet ect). If the plugs are dirty, clean them and re-gap them or jst get some new ones. If this don't work check to see if there is any water in the fuel-drain off to clear.

If the plugs are'nt dirty oily ect, clean, check the gap or replace them. If the engine don't start then, check to se if the choke mechanism is working properly.

If you get stuck just reply.
Matthew Woollard.;)

Hi. Checked my sparkplugs today. Two conclusions :
1. the cables absolutely need replacement
2. can't seem to get my sparkplugs out of the engine. I know this might seem stupid , but it really is difficult.

As for the sparkplugs ... I want to replace them by new ones , so they have to be removed one way or the other. Is there a special utensil to get them out? I know this shouldn't be a problem but not with this car.
So any help is greatly appreciated.

Yeah its best to change the HT leads (cables). As for removing the spark plugs. You can buy spcial sparkplug sockets which are lnoger than a usual socket and the rubber inside will protcect spark plugs.

When you undo the sparkplugs, you will have to keep the socket in line with the plug, so you don't snap it. I can't really explain it. I try to find some thing

Thanks alot for the help Matt !
Meanwhile I was able to change the sparkplugs and the HTleads.
Still , the engine doesn't start. It turns , accelerates a bit and then lowers in speed. Tried to link the battery of my BMW to the battery of my Ford => engine almost started before I used the "choke" to long.
I guess this is normal for a car of 33 years. It was used daily from 1969 till 1991. After that it was used occasionally and the last 3 years it practically hasn't moved out of the garage. I'll keep you informed :D
Thanks again for your help!

Thats Ok :D

Did you check the points? The "points" are located inside the distributor below the rotor. If they are greasy or dirty it makes starting very difficult because you're not getting a hot enough spark. You could also upgrade to an electronic ignition module!:) Good luck!