duvnick

Hey, I can not get this 1995 Civic EX with stock d16z6 running.

The coil was tested two ways: I checked it with a meter and it is in spec, and just to make sure, I stuck the coil in another civic and it worked fine.

The ICM was tested at Autozone, who could not check the coil, which I thought was strange. It tested fine.

The plugs were checked by grounding on the valve cover, spark is there.

I put new everything on the gas tank, just because it needed it. So new filler, return, fuel pump, vent, and valve hoses. The fuel pump does kick on, I removed the gas line at the filter, gas comes out, I removed the fuel rail (very easy) and the fuel injectors shoot out gas. All four fuel injectors shoot fuel at the same time in pulses, is this normal, or should they be in a pattern like a firing order?

The car cranks and cranks, never tries to run. Is there something else that I can check? Is there an order that the fuel injectors should spray in?

Thanks.

ktsciv93

your injectors should b fine. u do realize even at 1k idle they spray 250 times each per minute. have you done a compression test?

duvnick

I did not know that.... Crazy.

I guess I need to do a compression check..... I was just hoping it would start without it.

Garcia505

How do u do a compression check having same problem but with my 92 civic

twocross

Do you have a manual? If you look in the FAQ's section you should be able to find the "how to" for compression tests. You will need a tool, secondly only to a manual, called a compression tester.
Have you checked mechanical timing yet?

First.EG

sounds like your timing is off, check that timing belt.

strategy400

Sounds like you have fuel.

If you have verified spark at the plugs then the only thing missing (assuming air is coming in) is compression (at the correct moment). Check valve and ignition timing. Do a compression check. The compression tester is a hose with a threaded fitting one end for your spark plug hole and a gauge on the other. They aren't that expensive. You remove all plugs, connect it to a cylinder, hold throttle wide open and crank the engine a few revolutions then read the gauge and record the findings. Then compare cylinders to each other and to the specs in the repair manual. If that checks out then it has to be ignition timing.

strategy400

I would think a compression test would indicate if the valve timing was off. Plus they never mentioned messing with the timing belt.

Check spark to the plug.

twocross

Disconnect your fuel pump for the duration of the compression test, and disconnect teh distributor! Was there a moment where the engine ran normally, and then magically it died? Did you go to start it up one day and then your problem started?

duvnick

Ughhh. My friend came over and brought his gauge. Compression tested:

1. 125
2. 125
3. 100
4. 90

So that seems bad all the way around, right?

05foresterxt

iTrader: (1)

did u check your timing?

duvnick

I did not check the timing yet.

As far as previously running, I have no clues. I bought it off of a trailer with no rims, or even keys for $500. I have steelies on it, and I ordered a key. The guy I got it from said he imagined it did not run, as he bought it to scrap the metal, which I am trying to save it from.

Would my compression numbers be weird if the timing was out? The car has 125k with all original belts on it, so it was overdue for a timing belt when I bought it.

05foresterxt

iTrader: (1)

So you replaced the timing belt?

I would thinkt that if the timing is way off, the car would not turn on.

twocross

180 is a more realistic psi for a cylinder test. Variance of less than 10~psi can be expected however. Check the simple things first. The timing is a simple check, but yes built up compression could be leaking through a partially open valve, due to an engine not being in time.
You have performed a compression check, next check the timing, then do a cylinder leak-down test. After all that you will figure out if you cylinder head/gasket is warped

twocross

Cylinder head/gasket or piston rings being worn out could be behind those low compression test numbers. Good luck.

duvnick

The rings are shot. Should I rebuild or just throw a low-mileage engine in there?

Former User

Why do you think the problem is worn rings rather than something else?

duvnick

My buddy removed the spark plugs, put a small amount of tranny fluid in, then checked the compression again. The numbers went up, the car almost started, then it was back to normal. He checked compression again and the numbers went back down. He told me that meant the rings were bad. Is that correct?