W0Pdego

I am posting here in the hope that someone will be able to think of something that i may have missed. I have a 1994 civic dx that was running fine one day, and the next day would not turn over. After checking the spark plugs, one was fouled, so i replaced the plugs. Further investigation revealed that the distributor was sending spark to all 4, but i had a bad plug wire as well. I replaced the spark plug wires, and the car still won't turn over. It sounds like it is right on the brink of turning over, I even hear the faint pop pop pop of ignition, it just wont crank over. I know spark is getting to the four spark plugs, and after cranking it for a few times, I can smell fuel, and do hear the pump turn over on the initial key turn. I am absolutely stumped. Any ideas?

W0Pdego

bump

Former User

Any CEL codes?

The timing belt may have slipped. To check the mechanical timing, remove the valve cover and the upper timing belt cover. Here's what you are looking for:

W0Pdego

no CEL codes, i was able to get someone to assist me and crank the engine while i rotated the distributor, with the distributor rotated all the way towards me, i was able to get the engine the closest to starting while manipulating the throttle full open with my other hand. It sounded like it was right there, but i had no more room to spin the dizzy and no more throttle to give the car. So with that page you posted, should i crank the engine slowly to get cyl 1 at TDC and then make sure the pulley is at TDC? How do i know if the belt slipped?

Former User

With the transmission in neutral, turn the crank pulley bolt counterclockwise only until the cam pulley is perfectly set at TDC1 as shown in picture. Then look for whether the crank pulley is also at TDC1. If not, the belt slipped out of time.

W0Pdego

thats nice and simple, easier than i thought it would be. if the belt didnt slip out of time, do any other things immediately come to mind that i can check on tomorrow morning when i do the timing belt test? p.s. thank you for the quick responses

Former User

Spark should be bright white at the plugs. If it was weak orange or deep blue, the coil in the distributor could be bad.

If all items mentioned above turn out to be fine, compression test the cylinders.

W0Pdego

although i did it in the daytime, i used my windshield shade to darken the engine bay enough to see the spark, they were all white, i will test the other things tomorrow and report back afterwards.

W0Pdego

ok, so i went outside this morning and after an ordeal getting the timing belt cover off, i rotated the crank pulley till the cam pulley was at TDC1, and noticed that the crank pulley was a little clockwise of where it should have been to line up, after adjusting it, and attempting to start again, it took a full throttle cranking to get it to start. it warmed up, i adjusted the distributor to where it was initially, tightened it down, the idle was nice and smooth, acceleration was smooth. Engine starts normally and quickly now. So far so good. Thank you very much for your help

Former User

A belt that has slipped must be replaced as it is at much higher risk of slipping again or snapping. Replace the belt ASAP to avoid destroying your interference engine.

v-tec1

my 94 civic dx wont start it turns over slowly an wont start i dont kno what it could be??its getting spark to all 4 cylinders??????

Former User

Do you hear the fuel pump prime for 2 seconds in ON(II)?

Does the CEL stay on?

v-tec1

yea it kicks on normal, when i try to start it a flame comes out the intake....? an what cel?