Cranks but Won't Start
 

My "performance enhanced" 2005 R53 won't start. I've been working up in Alaska for about the past 9 months, so I haven't had the chance to drive my car much since I only return for a long weekend about once a month. On my past couple of trips home, the battery wouldn't hold a charge any longer, so I replaced it last month. Before returning for the Thanksgiving holiday, my wife thought she's drive my car over to a friend, just to make sure it started for me when I got home. Everything seemed normal until she returned and left it overnight in the driveway. The next morning when moving the cars around so she could come pick me up at the airport in her car, she started my car once and shut it off before it warmed up. When she started it again, she said it coughed and wouldn't restart. I tried to start it when I got home, but all it did was crank but wouldn't start. I checked codes on my ScanGuage, and the only stored code was P0300 (random misfires); I cleared the code, and all looked normal on the ScanGuage. I plugged in the BatteryTender, and it operated properly (showing a green light for trickle charge maintenance, when required). I've attempted to start the car several times with the same outcome. Looking around the engine compartment for clues, I noticed the overflow reservoir for the cooling system was nearly empty, but I was able to siphon up a sample of fluid, and it looked fine; I didn't add coolant since I don't have any, and did't want to add just water. The oil level and appearence also seemed fine. No loose wires or anything unusual.

I have a RMW head, cam, header, and tune, plus several other modifications, and I've had "issues" with rough running in the past if the car is started a second time after it is not allowed to warm up, but it has never failed to start. The lights and all dash functions, gauges, etc. seem normal, but when I attempt to start the car, it simply cranks and won't turn over.

Any trouble-shooting suggestions will be greatly appreciated ... thanks in advance, Craig

you can try putting it in your garage for a night with a heater (just to keep the garage above freezing) and try to crank it. Not sure how cold it gets where you are, but it really shouldnt matter as nothing should freeze.

If it turns over but doesn't get ignition it may be a fuel pump issue, an issue with the gasoline itself, or something to do with the coil pack/ spark pluggs, or the injectors.
Since you dont drive it often, do you put fuel stabilizer in it?
I had this issue with my boat when we left it over winter in our garage and the fuel sitting there gummed up the needle valve (4.3L carburetted V6) so it wasnt getting any fuel. Rebuilt the carburettor and replaced the pluggs and it worked like a champ.
Not really sure how to check to see if the injectors are gummed up, id consult a mechanic about the best way to go about doing that, but assuming you have good fuel pressure, and your plugs dont look bad, thats where i would start.

Im not a mechanic, (I'm a 20 year old engineering student), but you can test most of these in the flowing way.

coil pack. use a volt meter. black to ground red to each coil terminal.

plugs- pull them, if they are not black and when someone cranks the car for you they spark they should be ok assuming they are gapped correctly

fuel pump= ask a mechanic the best way to see what your fuel pressure is. i remember readng somewhere on the forum that it should be like 55 psi (id call way from way motor works or some other mini mechanic to get an accurate number as that number was just posted on this forum somewhere)

injectors= call a mechanic and see if there is a safe way to test to see if they deliver fuel. Id say pull the plugs and turn it over a few times an see if you smell gas, but id consult a mechanic before doing this too see if you should also disconnect the plugs/coil pack to make sure there isn't a detonation above your engine.
you may be able to clean the injectors as well, but if they are clogged and not just flowing as much as they should, im not sure of how to get the injector cleaner through them, or if soaking them in any sort of solvent would help.

my first suggestion would be to call Way or some other reputable certified mini mechanic.

Thanks for your very toughtful suggestions
 

Soccerbummer ....... very scientific and thoughtful response; thank you.

I've got money on fouled plugs. Swap them out and put some fresh gas in there and be on your way.

what did you find?

Won't Start
 

I haven't been able to resolve the problem in that I'm out of the country until spring. I'll post again when I return .........

Check compression...get a compression tester (sears/harbor freight) and perform a dry leak down test and wet leak down test. This will show you if you have a possible blown head gasket, stuck valve, or blown rings. I would do this right after you pull the plugs to test for spark and fuel.

I only suggest the compression test due to your level of mods....You can also check your oil to see if its contaminated with coolant since your coolant level was low.

im having deja vue here. im having the exact same problem. I also live in alaska. the only difference is i smell fuel, really strong. there is also a puddle of fuel under my car. its winterized, has a trickle charger, and is plugged in. it cranks fine, coughs occasionally, but will not fire. any suggestions?

I'm beginning to think this might be something commonly happening because I'm now having the same problem with my 04 cooper, car will crank but will not start I've narrowed it down to not having any spark and it is the same symptoms the mankypurple and craigsmiller described have any of u guys figured out what the issue was???

I never figured out the cause why it happened, but ended up being flooded with fuel. So I pulled my spark plugs out, pulled the injector fuse, cranked it til the fuel got sucked in, then put my fuse back in. My plugs were fouled so I did a temp fix of cleaning them with a brush til my new ones came in. Its been fine since then. For me, I think the extreme cold froze something that either kept it from firing or dumped fuel like crazy. But no leaks or failure to start since then. Hope this helps

Im in Texas and its hot out here so freezing is out of the question but I'll definitely get a new set of spark plugs n wires n see Wat that does thanks for the quick reply