My 1986 2.3-16 has a slight problem. During the summer months, after sitting for a while after running the car is very difficult to start and keep idling. It wont idle at all and when it does, it idles at 500 rpm. This will continue for maybe 15 minutes after starting. What is wrong with it? The fuel injectors have been replaced and the fuel filter is quite new. Is it the fuel accumulator that is causing this hard start? If you need to know, it is the original accumulator that came with the car since 1986. The fuel pump is also the original unit. Any assistance will be appreciated. Joe

Check the fuel pressure. Could be the pump or the accumulator. Another one that sounds like vapor lock.

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

Could you tell me exactly what vapor lock is and what causes it? How is it prevented?
Joe

Sure, vapor lock occurs when the gasoline gets sufficiently hot to go from a liquid to a gaseous state(vapor) The temp this occurs is a function of the pressure the fuel is under at the time. if it's low (the pressure)or there's none, then it goes to vapor relatively easily. if there is pressure on the liquid, then the flash point (point where liquid changes state to gas) will be higher. The accumulator helps to keep static pressure maintained in the fuel system to prevent fuel pressure bleed down and ""vapor lock"". If you can imagine a huge bubble in the fuel pump or one of the other fuel system components, you can then probably imagine why the car gets fuel starved. it's kinda like an air embolism for automobiles. Hope this helps.

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

So the fuel accumulator is like a bladder that keeps fuel pressure at a certain level, similiar to the nitrogen air ball for the load leveling rear suspension? How often does this need replacement? Is it used during vehicle operatin or just when the car is sitting and not running?

Thanks for your assistance, Joe

Yup that's what it does. Only provides a high demand resevoir when running, otherwise no function. Maintains static pressure when not running.

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

Jeff:
Thanks for all your help. I will have it checked out this week. The car is quite dangerous to drive when the outside temp reaches 90 degress F. The car always stalls and idles really poorly. THanks again, Joe