BMW Repair: 1998 BMW Z3 2,8, bmw z3, vacuum hose

Question
4USCJ3334WLC14687
Car will not start.  Battery seems to fine. Tried to jump it. Lights everything works.  Tries to start and turns over but will not start.  Sounds a lot like the car is out of gas but the tank is not empty.

Answer
Natalie, Get some Starting fluid, Brake Cleaner, or Carb cleaner and remove a vacuum hose on the intake boot. Give a couple of quick squirts of a flammable aerosol liquid as mentioned above and try to start the car. If the car catches an runs for a second this proves that the engine is missing fuel, and the problem is in the fuel system or in the electric operation of the system (Pump, relay). If this doesn't work then the car is most likely missing Air, Ignition Spark, or Compression. Spark is unlikely and even more so for compression to disappear over night. So lets try air. The large intake boot from the air cleaner box goes to the throttle. Above the throttle body is the idle air valve(hard to see). This little T-Shaped metal valve in short allows the engine to idle when the throttle is closed. It has it's own little hose that chutes off the main throttle hose. This hose can crack and tear open at the bend causing problems. Also the idle valve over time will get clogged with carbon and the valve will stick. This is what I think is happening to your car if the artificial fuel trick doesn't work. Get a long narrow utensil of some sort (long screw driver) Locate the silver idle valve on above the throttle body and tap on the housing moderately. Now try to start the car. If it runs then replace the idle valve or you can remove and thoroughly clean with a solvent of some type. You have some work to do. Or you can have it towed to a shop, but I don't think that is why you are talking to me. Good luck
-Evan