Hello and yes i am at noob status but i am not a noob when it comes to auto repair.

I HAVE a 1996 civic dx1.6l 160k that will not start, just cranks. It fouls out the plugs immediately.

Here is where i have started my troubleshoot.

1. Checked for spark - ok. Coil primary & secondary resistance ok. Igniter has 12v on all 4 pins. Good Spark.

2. Checked fuel system - Injector Pulse checked ok, Fuel system pressure ok.

3. Compression test Cyl 1- 125, 2 - 125, 3 - 150, 4-150

4. Checked ECT Sensor thinking pcm would sense a full rich condition and keep the injectors open on its cold start. Ok ect Voltage OK

5. Checked Cam to Crank timing and Firing order OK.

6. Cheked PCM grounds OK

7. Checked and replaced MAP sensor and checked TPS Sensor Voltage - OK


Any advice would be helpful at this point. I am getting frustrated testing everything
seeing that everything checks out ok but the car wont start. Thanks everyone.


Modified by ocmustang at 6:37 AM 5/31/2008


Modified by ocmustang at 6:43 AM 5/31/2008

 

Cyl 1 and 2 compression may be low.

 

125 psi cold. I am not sure if i can condemn the head gasket or internals?

 

you dont do a compression check cold...and did you hold it WOT?

 

No i did not open the throttle. I was in a hurry. I will recheck at wot at a later time. I am diagnosing the car for the repair shop where i work so i have other cars that need my time. Just did it at wot and the compression numbers are the same.
Modified by ocmustang at 6:58 AM 5/31/2008


Modified by ocmustang at 12:08 PM 5/31/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ocmustang &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hello and yes i am at noob status but i am not a noob when it comes to auto repair.

...It fouls out the plugs immediately...

...Checked fuel system - Injector Pulse checked ok, Fuel system pressure ok...

</TD></TR></TABLE>

If your fouling plugs immediatly then it sounds like your have a fueling problem. Are all four being fouled or only one or two?

I had a problem similar to this on a (carb) Toyota truck, the cat was clogged up on it. You can try to pull the O2 sensor out and start the car with the O2 hole unplugged. If it starts, theres a restriction in the exhaust.

 

Yeah all 4 plugs are fouled within seconds of cranking time. They come out completely drenched with fuel. You may be on to something. i'll have to verify on monday but i dont think i smelled any unburned fuel in the shop area after having like 20 guys go in and try to start this civic.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME MASTER ALL MY LIFE I'VE WORKED ON CARS WITH DUAL EXHAUSTS


Modified by ocmustang at 12:12 PM 5/31/2008

 

Are you positive the car has good fuel pressure? If the regulator fails it can sometimes let raw fuel directly into the manifold flooding it out (this would ofcourse show low fuel pressure on the rail).

You said you checked the cam to crank timing, now double check the ignition timing. Make sure the rotor points to the #1 position in the cap when the engine is at TDC.

 

Modified by ocmustang at 11:40 PM 6/2/2008

 

Just to let you guys know this morning i replaced the distributor of all things and
the car fired right up. Strange. I guess honda bases its fuel adaptation strategy off of the distributor also. I tested all 4 pins off the igniter and had 12v. I didnt have a scope or tester to read dwell patterns. So thats where i went wrong. Well if any of you guys have a civic thats a no start and fouls plugs, check the distributors !!!