DaveTheMedic

Hey folks.

I've been struggling with repairing my 1989 crx. It is getting spark and has passed compression tests at about 150 around the board.
I have replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, and have tried spraying carb cleaner into the air intake while by brother turns over the car, however I cannot get the car to fire or make any sort of hiccup aside from the sounds of it turning over.

My assumption is that it's not getting gas of course, but I have no idea what place to look at next.
Any suggestions?


Update 22-01-2019:
I got it started.
Turns out, in the top of the fuel injector, there is a little flap to let air in. This was stuck closed, so with a little push on the lever that opens and closes it, we were able to start the car when someone had it open.
My brother and I hopped in, which at the time, seemed like a great idea. We made it a few blocks before the car stopped in the middle of an intersection lol.
However, the car does not start anymore while holding the flap open, and I am once again totally clueless.

There is pressure in the fuel filter, so we're getting gas, I know we're getting spark from spark testers, and the compression is good.
So, air is probably the culprit. Anyone have any suggestions?

muellersfan

Does the fuel pump prime?

Did you check the mechanical timing?

stampern22

If you have good compression, your timing should be good there. I'd try starting fluid over carb cleaner, but if it's not starting with you putting fluid in, then it's probably spark or spark timing. Make sure your distributor rotor is actually screwed onto the shaft - if the screw comes loose, the shaft will spin and the rotor won't. Make sure your spark plug wires are in the correct order as well.

DaveTheMedic

It started!!!!
Mullersfan, it sounds dumb, but I didn't put back in the gas that I siphoned when the tank was lowered, so of course it wouldn't prime ;p
20 liters later, I have a happy vrum vrum coming from my engine. Thank you so much!

DaveTheMedic

It started!!!!

It may sound dumb, but I had forgotten to re-add the 20 liters I siphoned out while the tank was lowered, so it wasn't priming.
20 liters later, I have a happy vrum vrum coming from my engine. Thank you so much!!!

muellersfan

Mechanical timing off by one or possibly two gear teeth would have little effect on compression but would have a major effect on both spark and fuel injector timing.

dilbeckskate

Main relay under the drivers side of the dash 99.9% , can prob even slap/hit it and make it work

muellersfan

Engine has spark, and spraying fuel into TB did not reverse no-start issue.

muellersfan

Note to all posters in this thread:

OP message at 3:36 PM today --> 1989 CRX won't start [Solved]

Unfortunately for the forum, OP solved the problem but failed to mention what it was.

stampern22

Now I won't sleep for a week!

muellersfan

Maybe he'll return.

DaveTheMedic

Hey everyone.
Here's an update.

Car started once with the new fuel pump, however there was a significant gas leak. Turns out the fuel filter I previously replaced was leaking. I added some extra washers, and the leak no longer happened, however the car did not start.

Thinking I needed the banjo bolt to line up, I loosened it, and retightened in a better position. The leak happens again now, so I'm going to get new washers.

My main concern is that even when it wasn't leaking, the car still would not start.

I'll get new washers then check in with you all again.

stampern22

Also make sure you that you have the fuel lines on that filter going the right way - those fuel filters have a flow direction and will not work very well if your flow is going backwards. Also with the washers on there the hole on your banjo bolt may have been blocked and not lining up with your hose.

DaveTheMedic

Lines are going the right way for sure, however I had two washers on the bottom which totally could have been blocking the hole. I'm gonna get new washers and bolt right now.

DaveTheMedic

Another update:

Fuel leak is fixed with new washers, car still doesn't start but sounds like it's coming really close.
Here's a video.

DaveTheMedic

Bump, updated main post with new info.

stampern22

If you open the flap and spray starting fluid in, any difference now? You could have a bad main injector. Before I did my mpfi conversion my car had no power below like 3500-4000rpm. I'm pretty sure that main injector (the green one) was the culprit. I used to blow air through them (backwards) to clean out any crap that got in them (ethenol in fuel) and gummed them up and that always helped me.