Hazrd

Been reading all the threads, and searching and searching... and all you guys who are good at this say to post another thread, not to PM a problem, so here goes nothing...

I know enough to get myself in trouble...

It's a 94 Civic Del Sol, D15b7 on the block.

Car got hot, stopped it before it overheated. Opened up radiator and added fluid, some boiled out all over everywhere. Changed the radiator cap after it had cooled and had refilled the radiator, started fine. Had a bit of trouble starting after a stop on the way home, and now it sits dead in the driveway.

Cranks but doesn't start. Occasionally it sounds like it almost catches, but mostly just cranks.
No CEL after initial lightup when fuel pump is priming.
Has good white spark at all 4 wires.
No oil in radiator or coolant in oil. (was worried about head gasket)
Fuel pump primes. Fuel pressure at filter, (not sure what screw people talk about at the rail to check for pressure there, but since it was running didn't think that was the problem)

g101 ground looked good to me, wires seemed ok.

So, fuel, spark seem ok, next is the timing? Timing belt was replaced under 10000 miles ago, it hasn't broken (looked in oil cap and cam was moving)
To remove the top of the timing belt cover, its just 2 bolts and the valve cover correct?

a friend recently tightened my alternator belt, because it was squealing, but the car has been running since then. Going to try a jump in case the battery is weak, but doubt that is the problem with the good spark. Battery is less than 6 months old.

any help appreciated.

chillerice

arizona del sol

Do a compression check. Even though, from what you say, timing belt didn't break, it may have jumped a tooth or two which will affect starting. Just a thought.

v8eatrr

Or you could have a blown headgasket causing coolant to enter your cylinders which would make the car not want to start

warriorautotech

do a compression test, probably overheated and warped the head

Former User

Does the engine start with starting fluid?

Have you checked the mechanical timing?

Hazrd

Watched the video, but I have spark, so would it bE the coil?

Hazrd

Dumb question but where should I shoot starting fluid? Going to get a new dist cap and rotor now since I cracked it putting it back together,

Valve cover coming off for mechanical timing next.

Former User

Into the throttle body

Hazrd

ok, will wait until i get 4 hands back later today. pulled timing cover and belt looks fine. couldn't figure out how to turn the crank, if i need to pull the front wheel to gain access then this location isn't going to work.

however, found loose cable running to starter, tightened it up, and reseated the plugs with antiseize and silicon grease on the top of them, and it started, got to 1000 rpm, and died.

I know compression and timing is the next thing to do, but will report back once i try starter fluid too.

what are the chances it is wires or plugs? This car does seem to eat spark plugs at a faster than normal rate.

Hazrd

Ok,

Swapped plugs for new ones though I'm pretty sure old were good. No difference. Tried starting again and got 900 rpms then she died

Shot some startin fluid in the throttle body and tried again. No help. Crossed my fingers and touched my nose at the same time, cranked for longer than I probably should have, and she started.

Been driving her around the block to try an make sure battery is charged. Reading 13.5 volts at the terminals so I think that means alternator is good. Anything else I need to check before I turn it off?

Former User

The engine may have been flooded.

13.5V is low under no load. Should be around 14.5V.

Hazrd

But nothing to check now except shut it off and try again right? Going to read battery again and see if I misread the meter

Hazrd

Definitely 13 - 13.5 volts. Sign of a dying alternator?

chillerice

Start the car with the battery negative snug but loosened so you can pull it off. If the car dies alternator is going. Unlike someone said your head could be warped.

Hazrd

running better and idling smoother than it has in a long time. thanks for the help

Former User

^Risky test that can damage electrical components.

94civiccpe

Well I was gonna say to check and see if have proper fuel pressure. but u got it going