i have a 1996 civic cx, this morning in -30 i tryed to start my car it started and then within a minute i tryed to get out of the snow drift i was giving it gas then figured i was not going to get out. then went to pull it out of a snowbank later on today -20 ish the engine was low on oil and running when i tugged it out, once i pulled it out it wont start, when i turn the key i hear the fuel pump prime and hear the engine turn over but wont start? any ideas on what it could be? would a compression test help any?

 

Probably need more information. How low on oil? 1 quart, two quarts, ?

Given the temperature, perhaps it just the battery.

If you plowed through a snowbank, perhaps you had drift snow fill the engine compartment and melt, and you've got water somewhere that sensitive to it - around the distributor, connectors, etc.

Have you tried using a timing light to see if there's spark to the plugs? Or, a voltmeter to see if power is making it to the distributor?

Mark

 

i just parked it there, because it got stuck, i found some rubber pieces underneath the car the belts seem fine out side the engine perhaps the timing belt could have snaped? it was like 3 quarts low like barely on the dip stick but the engine was running prior to be pulling it with my truck the engine was running could me pulling it cause the belt to snap?

 

Might snap if the engine seized..

Are you able to see if the cam gears / timing belt is moving?

If not, you could disconnect the distributor (big grey plug, so you don't fry the coil), pull the cap, and have someone watch while you turn the key. If the car turns over but the rotor isn't moving, you've broken the belt.

Mark

 

If oil is still on the dipstick it's not 3qts low more like 1.5-2.
But with rubber chunks on the ground is prolly timing belt. It would only take about 5 minutes to remove the valvecover and see.

 

Just out of curiousity, am I the only one that read the title and though "ya know that's typically not something you have to wonder about"

OP, pull the top timing cover or valve cover and see if the t-belt snapped on you.

 

could be flooded, ive seen that with honda's when its really cold...

other then that, if you are 3 quarts low you are out of oil... sohc only takes 3.25 quarts of oil

 

Or just remove the oil cap and see if the camshafts are rotating (;

 

CAMSHAFT

 

oops!, 1 too many!

 

1qt of frozon oil on the bottom of the oil pan, you starved it for oil. if it turns over, it's not seized.

 

Check oil, my car sometimes will not start in to cold if i start and then quickly shut it off before its warm.