The car was working perfectly and i decided to change the fuel filter. I installed a Bosch filter in the original housing and the car ran for a minute or two then died. Engine would turn over but it wouldn't start. No ignition. After much checking and rechecking everything I couldn't get it going so I bought a whole filter assembly from BMW and installed that. Same problem. Engine turns over but won't start. Again, I've checked pipe connections etc. The fuel pump gets power (I've checked with a dvm).When I put the key in the dash I don't hear the pump prime, nor do I when I press the start button to switch the car on. But when I hold start button to start the engine, the engine cranks and the pump does appear to run then. So I disconnected the fuel line from the high pressure fuel pump and cranked the engine but no fuel came out. Clearly no fuel is getting to the engine, no wonder it won't start. I then removed the fuel pipe from the top of the fuel filter assemble and cranked again. Fuel came out of the filter assembly. Hmm... so what does that mean? What is between the fuel filter assembly and the HPFP?? WHAT COULD STOP THE FLOW OF FUEL??

 

Crimped fuel line?

Do you have a scan tool that reads the fuel pressure at the rail?

Any fault codes?

 

Crimped line between the fuel filter assembly and hpfp? I don't think so, I haven't done anything to that line.

I don't think there's an issue with the line in the tank either because I'm getting fuel out from the filter assembly. Unless the flow from there isn't sufficient. I can't test pressure as I don't have the gauge to do it

 

Just for clarity -- Did you disconnect the fuel line from the low pressure fuel pump to the hPFP? Or the fuel line from the HPFP to the fuel rail?

A crimped or clogged fuel line.

 

Good



good question. I removed the fuel line shown in the image.

 

That looks like the low pressure line connection, so you should look for a crimped or clogged line from the fuel tank. For a clog, compressed air might be a possible solution.

 

Ok seems reasonable.

at the filter the hose is blue rubber. The low pressure line that goes into the hpfp is a black braided hose. The difference in appearance made me wonder whether they're in fact 2 different hoses joined somewhere and whether there's something between them like a valve or sensor or something that could be damaged by compressed air being sent down the line.

 

You can view diagrams showing the fuel lines for your Mini here. Enter the last 7 digits of your VIN and then click on Fuel Supply.

 

Thanks.
I think I've managed to figure out that there's 3 interconnected lines between the fuel filter assembly and the hpfp.
so yes, i think I should be able to blow air straight through (or use compressed air) without any trouble. It's dark here now but I may give it a go tonight, if not it'll be tomorrow morning.

Thanks for all your help so far, it's appreciated.

 

If you disconnected the line at the filter housing to replace the filter, it might be possible when reconnected the oring inside shifted and plugged the connection….

 

I managed to blow down the fuel line so it's not blocked.

 

I don't think that's the issue here as fuel can exit the assembly without issue and I can see any sign of obstruction at the fuel line connection.