Help needed not Zed, but BMW

[mid life crisis]

Been called out to our youngest son's car this evening.
it's a 316i Compact with the 1.9 engine so some of my fellow Zedders may know the answer.
Anyway this evening it wouldn't start, cranking over but not firing,each time we first turned the key the rev counter & temp gauge were going up & down traction control light kept flashing.
Then as if by magic it finally fired up but was smoking & smelt strongly of fuel, it now fires every time but is a bit reluctant just a longer cranking than usual.
just wondered if any 1.9 owners had suffered similar problems?
thanks in advance
Gary

 

[t-tony]

Sounds like hooking up a code reader is the first step Gary, but maybe a crank sensor issue?

Tony.

 

[mid life crisis]

Thanks @t-tony that was my thinking I was after confirmation, are they much of a job to change
regards
Gary

 

[t-tony]

Not had personal experience on the 4 cyl. engine but easy enough on the 6's. Generally 1 screw and a cable connector mate.

Tony.