rugbyguy

Hello, my sons civic won't start. I've search the site and can't find answer so I appologize if this has been answered before.

Engine turns over but will not start, smell fuel. Main relay OK?

1. No codes as far as I know, light did not flash when I jumped the connector.
2. Fuel pump runs for 2 seconds when key turned on. Runs all the time with a jumper wire.
3. Has spark, pulled plugs, cranked engine. However they are wet, smell of fuel.
4. Ign Coil primary and secondary resistance within spec.
5. Tested Dist. sensors, Crank (B-F), Cyl (D-H), TDC (C-G) resistance in spec. tested at terminals at dist. connector.
6. Injector resistances within spec.

I'm at a loss.

Thanks for looking

glkdj

Does it sound like it wants to start at all or is it just turning over?

Former User

Is spark bright white at all 4 spark plugs?

Have you checked the mechanical timing?

Does the CEL work?

rugbyguy

Turns over, doesn't fire at all.
Spark probably yellow not bright. I brought a cylinder to TDC and checked rotor, it was lining up with wire on cap.
The CEL comes on with the key.

Checkmarks

Rug,

Get out the compression gauge. Spark, Fuel should fire if you had compression. Last have seen the key holding the camshaft on the gear snap now twice. Still the trusty compression gauge is going to give you the bad news.

rugbyguy

Thanks, will do. I don't know the history on the car, son bought it used, maybe timing belt?

rugbyguy

low compression on 3 cylinders, valves are all within a couple of thousands of spec. How are the head gaskets on these engines.

HondaMyWayOfLyf

as in replacing or how do they hold up?

rugbyguy

How do they hold up, is this a common problem for the head gasket to blow?

HondaMyWayOfLyf

no. i mean ive owned 12 Hondas all with different miles on the engine but ALL driven HARD by me and who knows with previous owners but ive NEVER had one go...but i think my current one in my d15 is going, at 15xxxx and its prolly original, but im swapping my Engine so i still prolly wont see one blow

rugbyguy

Well, I will find out for sure with this one. Going to start pulling it apart now.

b20bFourDoorCivicLX

same problem with my 1998 civic ek, automatic, car smells like fuel just start just cranking , i go back like 10 mins later it starts....drives fine...i wonder what it could be? ill be getting it fixed wed. but id like some input thanks sir.

glkdj

I have the same problem sometimes when it wants to act up, you turn the key and go to start, CEL is on, wont crank up, sit there for a second and then I will hear the relay click and the fuel pump turn on and it starts right up. It hasnt given me any real problems after figuring out what was kind of going on. So I have been kind of lazy to get out there and bust out a voltmeter and play with it, plus its way to intermittent to plan on working on