Hello friends... Here's the deal...

My 1992 Civic DX just shut off while driving
- acted like it was out of gas
-my gauge has always been fine and it stated it was 1/4 full
- but I put alot of gas in anyways 8+ gallons
- Still wouldn't start after
- so I primed it (turning key over and over) then it fired up and was fine

HERE'S WHERE IT GETS WEIRD .....

Every morning it will not start - so I prime it like crazy
-sometimes it tries to start and sounds like the manifold is off (really deep sound) and then hella white smoke comes from under the hood -flooded?
-then it starts!
-runs amazing! better than I remember it
-I can turn the key on and off and it starts up fine

But when I let it sit overnight and rest - the next morning = nothing - dead
-I begin the long process of getting it started that one time - then it's fine

It acts like fuel is not being sent to engine - repressurize? how?
or It acts like when you take the fuel relay out and try to start - starter just winds

TODAY THE CAR IS DEAD - can't use my old tricks

Here's some history and more info

-I definitely hear the fuel pump and hear the fuel pump relay click
-Because of multiple thefts I have been pulling the ECU out -stopped when I had this new problem - figure they aren't going anywhere - won't start
-Checked the innards of the fuel pump relay to see if any circuits are burnt, looks fine - but I've been pulling it out - because of theft issue -Bad? - I've checked some of the connections with a test light and it's fine
-It's been getting cold in the mornings here
-tried to push start - not working
-changed my plugs, fuel filter, three months ago

Gonna test spark tomorrow, see if gas is being sent to filter, and check coil and dizzy

Thanks fellas - any help would be greatly appreciated

 

fuses, under dash.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

-fuses ...aghhh....I'll check them in the morning - thanks
-I'll give feedback - right after

 

Also, check your fuel pressure at the filter. You should be able to rent the tool at your local parts store. You should get 36-40PSI as soon as you turn the key to ON(II).

When was the last time the fuel filter was replaced?

 

Thanks for the reply - Gonna see if it squirts in the morning -hahaha - sounds funny - gonna turn the screw -then turn the key

Three months ago I changed the plugs,all filters , O2 sensor

 

It "squirting" doesn't tell you how much pressure you have. It only takes like, 10 PSI to squirt. You need 36 minimum.

 

is the cat still installed?

the white smoke from under the hood sounds like you exhaust manifold is cracked or you have a leak.

also could be a injector suck open.
rent the tool from the auto parts store turn on the key till you get pressure on the gauge ifyou get the 36~40 psi see how long it holds pressure. my car will hold 36 psi for days with out starting.

 

I didn't mention this because it didn't make sense with your problem, but while you have the tool it doesn't hurt checking. You should hold 36-40 PSI for 2 hours after turning the key to OFF, if I'm remembering service manual specs correctly, with no more than 2 PSI fluctuation.

 

sediment screen filter on the fuel pump may be shellaced over or clogged. Especially if any fuel additives were added to the fuel tank that might cause rust/scale in the tank to break free and clog the screen.

Fuel pump pressure check at the fuel filter may tell you this.

 

Damn I love this site

 

Sorry for the delay fellas -

Get ready for this ....

So I got a hold of a fuel pump pressure gauge
-installed it
-Damn thing fired right up with an immediate 38lbs of pressure while connected to vacuum hose and a nice 40+ with vacuum hose disconnected -per Honda manual pg. 11-105 -see attachment
-Took off gauge and reinserted bolt
-Restarted it , and it started to cough and blow white smoke and died
-tried again
-It fired up, then I let sit and idle, it eventually coughed up and died.
- I thought for sure it's the fuel filter, something must be moving around inside

So as I was getting ready to take that ***** off, I thought why the hiccup and the smoke? Maybe I'll check my distributer cap and rotor -for kicks

*** As a side note ***
I started a post a while ago -see link below
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/1992-civic-dx-cannot-take-off-distrubutor-rotor-3037485/

I bought a new cap and rotor and found that the existing rotor has NO screw!
I haven't installed it because I am still wondering what the hell I am going to do.
The dilemma is ... If I somehow pry the existing one off - Will it have a screw hole?
-If it does = great! - but now I have to find the correct screw -order-ship-wait
-If it doesn't - Well every rotor I have found is made with a screw hole
-So I never installed it - thinking eventually I gotta deal with this - but...It's running now!






BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM....

-I looked at the cap and found little pieces of S#@%T in there
-I installed the new cap and DAMN this thing runs good
-So far it's great, we will see tomorrow

Now I gotta deal with that rotor tomorrow - will keep you posted
Thanks guys