The following is a good thread, check fuel pressure, hearing the pump prime is not sufficient, check compression. Fingers crossed it's not sheared cam bolts (vanos) and a wasted head with bent valves E46 NO START – list of possible causes

Good luck

 

Crank, spark, fuel, but no fire
I can hear the fuel pump prime but do not smell fuel near the engine when cranking. I’ve also added a gallon of fuel to confirm it’s not an empty tank.

• Need to verify there is sprayed fuel in the combustion.
• check compression, or open the valve cover and turn crank to TDC compression stroke, then the #1 cam lobes should be pointing at each other at about 45 deg.

I do feel the starter does not sound very strong and does not turn as quickly as I would expect. I’m not sure if there is a minimum speed to get the engine to fire.

I'm sure cranking is not the root cause as it had been cranked many times already and didn't fire up.

so, you need to have compression and injected fuel (can be verified with raw fuel smell on the plug).

 

Appreciate the feedback and guidance.

I checked that the cams were rotating along with he timing chain when the valve cover was off.

My next step will be compression testing and then if that passes will go for a fuel pressure test.

I should be back with more information this weekend!

 

Do the fuel pressure test first as it is quicker and easier than a compression test, and a more common problem.

 

Schrader valve is under the car at the filter/regulator, not sure if the small metal cover plate needs to be removed to access

 

I checked that the cams were rotating along with he timing chain when the valve cover was off.

That's not enough. Verify the #1 cam lobes pointing at each other as instructed in my post.

 

Figured I would provide an update even though information is still scarce. Work and life have gotten in the way so progress has been slower than I would have liked… But here we are.

Compression was checked on all 6 cylinders and 0psi was registered on 2 separate gauges.
I removed the radiator fan snd clutch and tried turning the engine over to TDC. While rotating the crank by hand, I noticed that the intake camshaft was not rotating. This is different from what it used to do, and I’m not sure what changed as the intake camshaft used to rotate and the vanos has not been touched.

I also was unable to fully rotate the engine by hand due to what I’m assuming is interference between valves and piston.

This is obviously a major issue and my next step will be to remove the head to see how extensive the damage is… recommendations on if the engine should be fully removed prior to head removal?
Thanks,
Kevin

 

I’ve confirmed spark at the spark plug by grounding to the block. I can hear the fuel pump prime but do not smell fuel near the engine when cranking.

can't smell the fuel near engine unless the 6 plugs are removed.

check compression, or open the valve cover and turn crank to TDC compression stroke, then the #1 cam lobes should be pointing at each other at about 45 deg.

I checked that the cams were rotating along with he timing chain when the valve cover was off.

You did not listening; at crank TDC check if the 2 cams are pointing at each other as I suggested.

Compression was checked on all 6 cylinders and 0psi was registered on 2 separate gauges.
I removed the radiator fan snd clutch and tried turning the engine over to TDC. While rotating the crank by hand, I noticed that the intake camshaft was not rotating. This is different from what it used to do, and I’m not sure what changed as the intake camshaft used to rotate and the vanos has not been touched.

Intake cam not rotating: well, the only way this can happen is that all 6 bolts holding the cam sleeve to the cam had been sheared off. It's time to remove the vanos, unbolt the intake hub, then pull out those 6 broken sleeve bolts and post some pics.

It is not bad as spun the crank bearings, so the head needs to be removed and check its chambers condition, the pistons top condition, and fix it up.

 

OP, don't try to turn the crank anymore to minimize damage.
I think you can fix this engine for less than $1000 DIY, as I think only a few intake valves are bent with minor damage on some pistons. Go slow and careful and it will be alive again.
I hope you got the car at a good price.