Just put a new B20B in a 1997 CRV and am having some trouble getting it to run correctly. We test drove it about 20 miles, it was running great. Shut if off for twenty minutes, and since then it will initially start and idle alright, but when given any throttle the engine will surge like it's starved for fuel and then die. If I try and start it again after that it will start some of the time but the idle will become rough and it will die within a few seconds. The only thing I noticed different is that the main relay behind the glove box clicks rapidly when trying to start it after it has died. Could this be the problem?

We hooked up a datalogger and there are no CEL's or codes stored. I know the timing and spark are there, I set the timing with an inductive timing light and it has new plugs. Also put a new fuel filter in and checked the return line, and it's returning fuel at idle so there is enough fuel pressure.

Any help on what to check to get this thing running would be appreciated.

 

Well there is a few things to think of....
1. Cap and rotor
2. check gap in plugs again (verify they are not fouled out
3. check fuel pressure at the fuel rail (just because you have return does not mean you have proper pressure at rail or that it is making it to the cylinder) brings me to the next one
4. check injectors (NOID lights are your friends)
5. Check all your connectors on your harness again.... make sure your ground at thermostat.

 

is it surging like the IAC valve surge? could be a bad valve or air in the antifreeze system

 

or a vacumm leak.