- This topic has 29 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
I’m lost as to why it wont start
98 honda civic lx
d16y7here’s what happened, went out this morning to start my car for work, it cranks but wont kick over……it will make a popping sound like a deep *thump* and the engine will shake like it’s going to start but then stops. ….it was running the day before perfectly
so i checked for spark (pulled each plug and cranked… nice healthy spark on each plug) ……
then i checked for fuel pressure/ fuel (the dangerous way..loosened the nut on the filter…good pressure)
i have good compression as far as i know…..i put a new head and gasket and timing belt and water pump a few months ago everything was fine
i checked the fuses and all is well (i need to wait till morning to double check the fuses under the dash again)
here’s a short video maybe someone can help me, im confused
i had to call into work today i got work monday i need to get this fixed
-
Replies
-
Sounds like it may have jumped time but I’m not a Honda man. Could be an injector/fuel pressure issue. Try some starter fluid to see if it performs better. If it does, look to the injectors/fuel pressure.
i tried that to didn’t do anything (i’m starting to suspect the timing belt too….i really hope not)… i got a good fuel pressure. .thanks though
OK, you are thinking it is not a fuel issue and the mechanical timing appears to be appropriate enough to generate normal compression. You also stated the spark was good but is the spark happening at the right time? I would set the engine on TDC on the compression stroke for the @1 cylinder and verify the distributor / rotor and spark plug wires are as they should be. Firing order is 1,4,3,2 clockwise looking at the top of the distributor.
Hold throttle open 1/4 way. If it starts you have an iac problem. If it doesn’t start I’d look at timing belt. I’ve seen good compression on an engine with a jumped tooth on timing because the belt stretched. Another thing I’ve seen is the ignitor in the distributor on hondas go bad. But you’ve got good spark so I doubt that’s the issue. Starting fluid doesn’t work so we’ve worked out ignition and fuel so it’s compression or mechanically related.
I checked the line up… The distributer rotor lines up with #1 plug wire on compression stroke. …. What is an IAC problem?…. Its got a brand new distributer on it……
Just checked pulled head cover to visually see cam gear line up with head at top of compression stroke on cylinder #1……everything is still lined up. And belt is good as well.. l not stretched at all.
@Rattman1 Reference to IAC (Idle Air Control Valve) its used to modify air/fuel ratios at idle and on deceleration to compensate for load changes such as Air Conditioning. If that was the problem it should have started when you used starting fluid. The IAC can only make the mixture too lean.
I’m leaning toward lack of fuel. How did you use the starting fluid and how much did you spray? Where you checked for fuel pressure, is that before or after the filter? Is it possible the fuel is contaminated?
Open the fuel line and capture some of the fuel for inspection. You don’t need to attempt starting the engine. Just turn the key off and on a couple of times. Looking for something like water.
i checked the fuel right after the filter going into the intake (did it like eric showed in his dangerous test video…it sprayed everywhere on the cardboard i covered the engine with) it’s good gas and im getting gas to the cylinders the plugs are wet….
i tried starting fluid right in the intake doesn’t help anything….. tried a little and a good spray nothing helps ..
it tries to start when i crank it for a few seconds i’ll get a couple good pops then it just dies, i crank it a couple more times and it will pop and try to run and the engine will shake and sometimes i get a white poof out of the intake where the butterfly valve is……i can take a video too show everyone if it will help
OK, if the plugs are wet then perhaps there is too much fuel. Pull the plugs and make sure they are clean and dry. You can use a small brush like a toothbrush and some solvent to clean off any carbon. You might, In order to clear the fuel, try pulling the fuel pump relay and attempt to start the engine. First without and then with the plugs installed. Once you think the fuel is cleared from the intake and cylinders, plug the fuel pump relay back in and try to start the engine.
To me it’s seems like a bad ignition timing.. Check the connector that goes from the Distributor.
btw do you have any codes stored?P.S
Do you have check engine light when you turn the key into ON position?
If the check engine light dosent turn on – might be a dead ecu.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.