I have an all stock 91 honda civic dx hatchback. every time I go and start the engine when the engine is cold, it takes a while for it to crank over and start. But when the engine is already warmed up, it fires right up. Anyone know what this may be?

I have new spark plugs and wires and also new belts. maybe its the distributor?

 

Explain "crank over", are you saying engine cranks, [turns over] slowly, as in a problem with starter motor, or do you mean it just will not fire, [start] as easly as when already warmed up? 94

 

yeah it turns over and wants to start but it wont fire until like 30 seconds. and when the engine is warmed up and i turn off the car and then it fires up like a normal car.
maybe bad timing?

 

Engine coolant temperature sensor maybe. it could be running rich.

Try this, [with cold engine] turn ign. to run, wait for fuel pump to stop running, [priming] then try and start the car, if it does not start right away stop cranking the engine just before it starts, immediately remove spark plugs and see if they are "wet" with gas, do they smell of gas?

Inspect the condition and color of the plugs, let me know.

If engine starts before you stop cranking, let it run for a few sec. and turn it off, immediately remove and inspect condition and color of plugs, let me know. 94

 

no gas smell and no discoloration, they're new plugs

 

2 things are needed for the car to start, fuel and spark that's it. check dizzy maybe rotor is loose, if not check gap on plugs. from their call a friend and swap dizzy's to find out if it's the distributor before you go spend your money

 

main relay if no fuel 99.5% of the time (do you hear the fuel pump priming? if not,search main relay repair + re-solder or get another @ JY),or bad dizzy if no spark...

 

3 things. you forgot timing