I have a 86 civic that cranks and cranks but doesn't start. It is carbureated with a 1.5L I4 engine. I've tried putting starting fluid into the intake but there isn't popping or it even trying to turn over, ive check the plugs and wires but they're all ok, and I've checked the timing belt. I am completely confused at this point on what could b the problem. Any Suggestions on the cause of the problem and ways to fix it?

 

Are you getting spark?

 

Yes ive tested all the spark plugs and wires and made sure there was spark, that was my first guess =/

 

You say you checked the timing belt. Did you make sure it was in time? Could have a jumped a tooth.

 

I would double check your timing, maybe your plug wires are off on the distributor end.

 

How fast or slow is this cranking?

 

@Skinny, I did not actually check that, how would i go about doing that?
@ rrambo i check my wiring on the distributor end and they were fine.
@Gustav Its fast cranking, i had to recharge the battery due to it dieing when it first died on me and i kept cranking it.

 

Like super fast cranking? If so, it skipped timing and probably bent valves. You'd have no compression.

When you say fast, I'm assuming your meaning faster then normal. There's slow cranking, normal cranking, and fast cranking.

 

@gustav
that was my next thought....... cause if ether won't fire it, there is something mechanical wrong......

 

There is a quick check, because the carb choke is vacuum activated -i forgot the exact mechanism and away from the manual- but you can try to shove a small wrench or screwdriver to keep the choke valve open and try again.

I realized this as rolling downhill after a dead battery it did not start.

Best,

 

It is normal cranking, it went slow due to me and my father cranking it a lot XD almost killed the battery.

 

Ok, so it's safe to assume you have compression.

You have spark, but you didn't confirm that the plugs are firing at the correct time. It's very common to pull the distributer out at some time and put it in 180*. The rotor only goes one way, so if you had the dist at 180*, the plug locations on the cap would be wrong.

Only one thing left after that and that's air/fuel in the correct ratio.


There's only three things needed to have an engine running:
1- Compression
2- Spark at the correct time
3- Air/Fuel Ratio correct

 

Does sound like a fairly safe prediction. My friend had the same problem.. If you can't solve the problem, I can ask him and post what he had said. If not, then good luck to you.

 

I started looking back on my civic again, while cranking it it seems to like try to start like there gas is somewaht sparking but it doesnt completely, if i hold my foot on the gas petal, to the floor, it cranks at higher rpms but when off its way lower... ive tried holding the choke open n it didnt help much at all. i replaced my spark plugs, wires, and coil wire...

 

The timing may be off.... A quick way is to scribe the position of the distributor and the engine stationnary part, then turn it counterclockwise 1/8 of an inch from the scribed mark to increase timing and see if start better. The timing control may be non functionnal.... If it is not getting there move up another 1/8 and go from your observations. I supposed that yu tried starter fluid or brake cleaner works as well....yu have gas.... And now fresher gas could help, this why starter fluid is good.

 

Cool i will get onto that =D i hope that helps.

 

Replacing them is one thing, but did you physically check to see that they're sparking? Try taking one plug out at a time, reattach it to it's plug wire, and hold the bottom of the plug against the engine block so it grounds (hold it by the plug cap so you don't get sparked). Have someone crank it over and check to see that it's actually sparking.

If they spark, you know that's not your problem. If they don't spark, try replacing your distributor cap and rotor.

You didn't talk much on fuel. Are you sure you're getting fuel? You said when you press the gas pedal when trying to start it it cranks faster. This may mean you're getting some fuel, and some combustion, but not enough to make it "fire up". Maybe have a look at your fuel filter, I'd take the fuel line off the carb, run the line in a catch can, and test to see that you're actually getting fuel up there.

 

Still sounds like a timing isue. Find tdc on the far right cylender and follow that plug wire to the cap and the rotor should be pointing at it.