hello everybody, i've been dealing with this no start issue for awhile now. i just wanted to find out if anybody has some suggestions so here goes. Here's a list and current condition of my m42 in my E30 318is.
Replaced (in total)
- o2 sensor
 - took care of mess under intake manifold
 - changed sparkplugs
 - replaced air filter with a K&N drop in
 - swapped out ICV (no change with cleaned original and replacement)
 - throttle body (no change with cleaned original and replacement)
 - put in injector cleaner
 - put in a new fuel pump
 - put in a new fuel filter
 - replaced fan clutch
 - replaced thermostat and gasket
 - replaced timing chain tensioner
 
the car starts after long periods of time being off.
like over night. or sometimes after 20~30 mins after being started and turned off. i had a problem before with sporadic idling where as my icv would cause 2k-3k of idling. what i've noticed is that the car is getting flooded with fuel. you could smell fuel and after those periods of rough starts white smoke will come out of the exhaust smelling of fuel. another note is when i got the car, it had no cat converter. idk really if it has anything to do with this but i figured i'd mention.
what i've been doing lately is opening the airbox, and then close it back. out of all the times i've done this, the car would start with the help of the gas pedal being stepped on. usually halfway open throttle body.
i have done no tests whatsoever with the sensors and such though. haven't gotten around to getting a voltemeter and learning how to use one. lol
any input would be appreciated.