I have been having a problem with starting my car far awhile and sometimes it runs like **** too. It seems to start okay if it has just been running, but if it has been sitting for awhile it takes a long time to start. It seems to be worse when it is hot out (big temp fluctuation here). Sometimes when it starts it takes a long time to get up to idle. It slowly climbs from 500 to 2000rpm.

I have replaced PCV valve, plugs, wires, rotor, cap, and fuel filter. I have cleaned the throttle body and IACV valve, and done a valve adjustment. I also ran an MSD ignition with coil for awhile and that didn't help.

I just pulled the plugs today (which look good), and noticed that the no#2 plug smelled like gas. I have noticed this before, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. Does this mean that I have an injector sticking? Could excessive fuel in that cylinder cause starting problems even cranking the motor for 15 seconds? I guess it could also mean that cylinder isn't firing properly. Does anyone know if a bad ignitor could do that in only one cylinder?

I am running a Walbro 255, RC440's, and Techtom engine management. I have been running this setup for 2 years without problems until now. Anyone have any ideas or ways I can troubleshoot? TIA.

 

Check all ur plugs first. If you find ones saturated in gas then check the injector of that cylinder (listen either with a screwdriver or mechanics stethescope) for the injector clicking. If you find an injector not clicking then there is either probably something wrong with the injector itself or something in the wiring. If they all work then check each individual wire for a spark. Disable ur injectors so that they won't fire when you crank over the motor. I'm not sure on what car you said you had if you did but just pull the fuse out of the under the hood fuse box that shuts down ur injectors. Then take each one of ur spark plugs and plug them into each wire. Find a good spot to ground them all to so you can see that they all are firing. If 1 isn't firing then check into the distributor something may be up. Also does ur car spray any gas when you crank it over to start it up? My friend had a problem after i put a B16 into his CRX I had one of his injectors wired wrong and it stayed open and flooded the hell out of the cylinder. It was a pain in the *** to start just like ur car sounds like that's why i think it's something to do with either fuel or spark. His injector would fill up the cylinder till the motor wouldn't even crank so then we had to pull the plug and suck all the gas outta that cylinder, that was the worst part about it all. Once i got it all strait tho it starts fine now so i hope you have the same luck somewhere along the line. Sorry i couldn't be more help but good luck.

 

Well, I know the injectors are wired right because it has been running fine for 2 years. I was just out trying to listen to the injectors with a normal stethescope, but I couldn't hear any clicking. Do you know if I can use a normal one or do I need a mechanics? I will try to pull the plugs and see how they fire. Right now I am leaning towards the injector, but it could be ignition still. Thanks for the help, its on a B18C1 btw.

 

tTt. Any more thoughts?

 

I haven't tried a normal stethescope before to listen to injectors, in fact most of the time i just use a screwdriver. You should be able to hear an audible click of the injectors opening and closing that speeds up as the engines RPM increases. If you still check and can't hear anything then there is most likely a problem somewhere from the injector to ur ECU. And if they are working properly i guess just look into the ignition more. I'll ask around and get back to you laterz.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

You can even feel the clicking.

From what I get reading your post it looks to me like you may have a fuel pressure problem. If its not holding it well it could take a little longer to build pressure on startup. If its too hot doesnt run. Vapor lock? If it hasnt had time to bleed down it starts fine? Kinda looks like a fuel problem to me.

 

Ya, it definitely seems like a fuel problem. I am going to get a fuel pressure guage to help diagnose the problem. I don't know much about vapor lock. How does it happen? How do I fix the problem if thats what it is?

 

ok, on first read i think - coil, but you say you tried MSD,

2nd read it could be fuel problem, but you look sorted there

sooooo, i have heard experiences where the teh ECU tries to start a hot engine when it 'thinks' it is cold - ie supplying too much fuel to compensate.

this is usually beacuse of a bad ECT sensor giving a bad reading.

check your ECT sensor or replace it?

just a cheap suggestion that sounds like it almost could fit into your circumstances,

if not, oh well, i am only guessing...

t..

 

PS what is a "Techtom" EMS?

 

Haha, the Techtom is a chipping system by G-Force engineering. It is used a little more in Japan, but I have yet to see anyone else use it in a Civic over hear . Well for FI anyway. http://www.japanese-auto.com Theres a link if you want to check it out, it doesn't give much info on it though.
The car seems to be harder to start when it sits for awhile, but it could be the ECT. Who knows, maybe I have multiple problems. Thanks for the info.
Still looking for someone to answer my questions on vapor lock.