nmsadiq1

I have a 95 civic 1.6 vtech with 150k miles on it. About a 8 months ago, the cart started to stall at red lights. But it would start back up right away. Eventually, the car would only start if left alone for a few hours. We replaced the spark plug wires, as they were loose. Problem remained. We replaced the rotor under the distributor cap and the car started fine and stopped stalling.

A week ago, our starter failed. I replaced it ( removed distributor cap, and air intake for easier access). Car started(I tried multiple times) and I drove home (only 5min drive). 2 hours later, I experience the same crank-no start problem I had 8 months ago. Car only starts if I wait long enough and then dies after running for 15-20 min.

Perhaps I did something when installing the new starter. I made sure the intake was back on correctly. I took off the distributor cap again. I had an extra ignition coil lying around, so I replaced the old one. Put everything back, made sure everything was tight but the problem persists. I took off a spark plug wire to check for spark while cranking and I see a white spark. I can hear the fuel pump prime and the main relay click. I read that a bad main relay can cause these symptoms and is a common problem in this civic. But if I can here it click, it's probably working fine, right? Do you guys have any suggestions?

Also, during crank-no start, I hear this thump noise from the exhaust pipe and it shakes. Here's a video:
Thank you

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

when you turn the key to "on", do you hear the fuel pump prime? verify spark as well.

nmsadiq1

Yes I can hear the fuel pump prime and the main relay click.
I see spark as well. This means I can rule out the distributor and its components right?

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

no, it does not. what color is the spark?

nmsadiq1

The spark is white.

Former User

Is that oil coming out of the exhaust pipe?

Check the mechanical timing and compression test the cylinders.

nmsadiq1

When the car did start, my dad rev'd up the engine and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. I didn't see any fluid come out of there. Perhaps I missed it.

Former User

See pic in post #1. What type of fluid (water, coolant, oil) is seen pooling below the exhaust pipe?

The next step is to check the mechanical timing and compression test the cylinders.

nmsadiq1

I'll start the car and take note of this.
I don't think I can do this on my own. What tools would I need?

nmsadiq1

Looks like water guys. This can't be good

Former User

Is there water or coolant in the cooling system?

nmsadiq1

​​​​​​​Coolant

nmsadiq1

When the car is in crank-no start state, i only checked for spark in one wire(that was stupid). I'll check the other 3 tomorrow. Wires were changed recently, but not the spark plugs. Could bad spark plugs cause these symptoms? The car runs for about 10-20 min every time before stalling.

Also, to check fuel pressure, can I do this:

civic402lx

Are the wires in correct firing order? Check that.

nmsadiq1

Yes wires are in the correct order.

When in crank-no start state, there is spark in all 4 wires. Albeit, the sparks are more yellow than white. I started the car this morning and tried to keep the rpm >1500. It lasted a lot longer. When I let the rpm fall below 1500, it sounded like it was about to die. I gave it gas again and it died.

joey1320

Okay let's start from the beginning;

Does the engine run? If so, how do you get it to run and for how long will it idle by itself?

Have you replaced the Cap, Rotor, Ign. Wires and Spark Plugs with OEM or quality aftermarket ones?

Compression check?

Fuel pressure check?

​​​​​​Please respond to those in a coherent manner and we can try to help you along. It's really hard when you jump from info to diagnosis to info and on and on...

mk378

The liquid from the tailpipe, does it smell like antifreeze?

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

Bad coil.

nmsadiq1

The car starts if left alone for 3-4 hours. Runs on idle for 10-15 min.
Spark plugs were replaced a long time ago. Rotor and wires were replaced a year ago. Ignition coil was replaced after this problem started. I have NOT replaced the cap or ignition module.

As for the compression and fuel pressure tests, i don't think i have the equipment for this.

My dad ordered a whole distributor( cap and everything). Should be here on monday. I will also replace the spark plugs soon. Will update you guys. Thanks for the help.

nmsadiq1

No, doesn't smell like anything really. Just looks like dirty water. If think the head gasket is good for now.

nmsadiq1

New distributor did the trick. I know it's not wise to throw parts at a car without proper troubleshooting. However, there was a lot of oil leaking from it, and we got a good deal on it. I guess I don't know if it was a bad cap, ignition module, distributor itself, or something else. Thanks for the help guys.

Time to move on to the next issue(Should I start a new thread?). On idle, sometimes, the battery light blinks and the headlights flicker. Rpm pulses when this happens too. When I turn the heater on full blast, everything goes back to normal.

I checked the voltage on the battery and I'm getting around 14.8 volts. Do you guys know how difficult it is to take out the alternator off a 95 civic ex? What other components do you have to take out? Trying to figure out if I should bother trying to do it myself.

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

called it. you now owe me a cookie, along with the 1000 other distributor death deniers ive helped. the alternator can be a pita, but there are a bunch of how tos on here for it. clean and check all grounds before you do anything else.