Lippert22

So I bought a 97 civic last week with 250,000 on the body and 40,000 on a supposed rebuilt engine and tranny. I believe it the body and underbody/engine is super clean. Anyway, I had a misfire code. So I changed the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil. They were all neglected. Now the car won't start. My buddy and I have been working on it for a couple days. With the new coil it gets so close it just doesn't get there. The last time we tried to start it we saw smoke and smelled gas. Any ideas?

TomCat39

Compression test, it will be a cold engine so lower numbers are expected.

High Energy Ignition (HEI) spark tester, check if you have spark and the quality.

Change the fuel filter and do a fuel pressure test.

Check air filter and make sure it isn't so clogged it's choking the motor.

When you crank the motor for a solid 15-20 seconds, pull your plugs and see if you smell gas on all 4 of them.

Even if you do, doesn't mean you have enough pressure to run the engine, the pressure tester will give you better indication.

Also ohm test all 4 injectors, the resistance should all be pretty close to each other.

Noid light test will tell you if they are getting proper signal.

HEI spark tester lets you rule out wires, coil and ICM.

If compression is good and all these things check out, the last two things it could be (besides bad timing) is a bad pressure regulator on the fuel rail or a bad ECU.

This should give you some direction on how to diagnose your problem.

If I missed something, hopefully someone else will pipe in with the feedback of it.

Good luck.

Lippert22

The plugs wires and coil 3 days old. It wouldn't start after I changed the cap and rotor. I have an intake with a brand new filter(also 3 days old) so it's not the filter either.

Former User

Check whether the plug wires are installed in the correct firing order on the distributor cap.

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

if you flooded the engine, you could have washed out the pistons, causing a loss of compression. try pulling the plugs and dropping a capful of oil down each well. https://www.hastingsmfg.com/ServiceTips/fuel_wash.htm

crazyhouse2011

Make sure the dizzy isn't on backwards

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

its almost impossible to install backwards. its keyed.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

^^^It's been done by those "round hole square peg" people.

No-Honda

Possibly check all the connections that you touched and make sure there good?

Lippert22

Good news and bad news. I got it to start and stay running. However, my # 2 and 3 fuel Injectors are bad. I went to the junkyard grabbed 2 off another civic. Same thing. Still starts and runs but really really rough. I pulled the harness of both and neither affected performance. However the outside two did.. I'm lost.

Lippert22

I'm not getting power to my #2 and #3 fuel injectors. It's been a long week. To make a long story short I bought the car last week it's a 97 civic dx. I replaced plugs wires, ignition coil, cap, and rotor. Then the car wouldn't start. So we sprayed starter fluid in the throttle body and it starts up every time. Went to the junk yard and picked up a couple injectors. Same problem. Just the #2 and #3 injectors aren't getting power. I'm lost and have no idea. Main relay, computer, wiring???

Former User

Only one thread per topic is allowed. 2 threads merged.

Sounds like the two power wires for the non-working injectors are broken somewhere between the main relay and the injector clips.

Lippert22

It's a good thing I have zero idea how to do electric work.

Former User

Then how do you know the injectors don't get power?

Lippert22

1) when I pull the clips it doesn't affect the performance. And 2) the test light doesnt flash.
I'm not completely incompetent

Former User

Neither of these^ two tests tells you that the injectors don't get power.

You need to test for voltage at the injector clips using a multimeter.

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

pulling those clips with no change could indicate dead cylinders also. testing is necessary.

Lippert22

What else would I check? The plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and ignition coil are a week old.

Lippert22

Did that as well

Lippert22

It also overheated the day before at the taco bell drive thru. It got hot really fast. Head gasket? Maybe...

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

whoa. this car has more problems than youve described. list them all. then begin diagnosis on them all. do you have oil/coolant mixing? rent or buy a block tester, it is a simple test that checks for exhaust gas in your antifreeze. sounds like you may have been boned on this one.

Former User

Details?

Why have you not mentioned any of this until now? Post all information with details.

visiblystealthy

iTrader: (1)

Check your plug wires to see if you have them in the correct sequence!!!! Your car will still start, just really hard to get it started, plus two cylinders will seem like they are not working at all. Don't just "think" you did it right. Know you did it right.

Lippert22

I gave in and brought it to the shop. I'll let you guys know what he says. Thanks!!!!