TYBG

Hey all, I've had my 1995 Honda Civic LX since December of 2014 and I've had nothing but problems. I've got about 140k on the clock, but I'll get down to the issue at hand. The other night, I shifted into 4th gear, and felt a strange lug. I knew something was wrong and whenever I put it in neutral at the stop sign, the idle got really low and it died. Tried starting it back up, super low idle, died again. Ever since, its just cranked. Sometimes it sounds like its about to turn over, but then it goes back to cranking. Timing belt was replaced at 110k in December of 2014, head gasket in January of 2015. Fuel pump, fuel filter, and distributor all replaced in October of 2015. Whenever I brought it home, I thought it was another distributor issue since I found oil in it again, but that wasn't it. Replaced spark plugs, fuel injectors have good continuity. I've done two separate compression tests, both with different readings. First test, cylinder 1 was at 60, cylinder 2 was at 70, cylinder 3 was at 90 and cylinder 4 was at 80. Second time around, cylinder 1 was at 80, cylinder 2 was at 30, cylinder 3 was at 50, and cylinder 4 was at 60. Didnt burn any oil whenever it ran, didn't blow any smoke either. The rest of the car is falling apart, but the engine always seemed sound. Any suggestions on what could be wrong, or what I could check next are appreciated, and thanks for reading my novel.

Former User

Repeat the compression test with the fuel injectors unplugged and the pedal held at WOT.

Listen for whether the fuel pump primes and check for spark at all 4 plugs.

Post the CEL codes.

TYBG

I did a third test with the injectors unplugged and pedal held at WOT today, but didnt write down the numbers. If my memory recalls correctly, it was something like 20, 50, 80, and 60, but I'll repeat the test and get exact numbers in daylight tomorrow. Fuel pump primes, and I'm getting spark in all the plugs. CEL codes are 43 and 8, with the 8 just coming recently. 43 would occasionally turn on during highway drives, but very rarely and never bothered the cars operation. With the CEL 8, would I be looking at a timing belt problem?

Former User

Your engine is toast.

JDMswagSerf

Check mechanical engine timing. Belt maybe skipped a tooth.

TYBG

Quick update: I was convinced the timing belt had skipped, but my dad persuaded me to try starter fluid in the intake. So we tried it, and it hardly started. Had to hold the pedal at WOT, but it started. Idled super low for about 5 seconds then stalled. I tried cleaning my fuel injectors to the best of my ability and tested them for continuity again, all read 12. Tried to start without the started fluid, and nothing. If it helps at all, my car always smelled like gas after I put a full tank in it, but there was no obvious evidence of a leak.

JDMswagSerf

Check the timing first before continuing to the fuel system. But since we are here, make sure the fuel pump cover on the top of the tank in secured.
My civic would also smell like gas after a full up, the pump cover was not put on correctly.

Even with proper fuel, it won't start or stay on (since you got it started) for long with that compression.

mk378

Please, listen to JDM. You know what the problem is -- very low compression. Hopefully it is just because the timing belt skipped. If you do find the belt skipped and it has good compression after you put it back, put a new timing belt on right away. Skipping is going to damage the teeth.