So here’s everything I did and why… 1998 accord 2.3vtec

I took the timing belt off because this car had a bad head gasket. Some guy had replaced the head for my mother in law due to the gasket blowing before but didn’t flush the coolant so the oil+coolant goop was clogging the system. It started overheating again so another guy tore it down to find the issue but then reused the same gasket because he figured “since it’s metal derrrrrrrr”….
Anyway after driving for a couple weeks I noticed new oil in the coolant so I replaced the head gasket. I set everything to TDC and tore it down. The only thing I changed was the gasket but now my car wont start. I’ve torn it back down to redo the timing belt 4 times over the weekend and I’ve done it by the book every time and nothing. My timing marks are dead on, my balance shaft marks are dead on. So now my question is this. Because of the new gasket is there some kind of compression issue that requires the valves to be adjusted before the car will run or even start for that matter?

 

Does the car crank? Are you hearing the fuel pump prime?

 

I would think you haven't connected something properly or blew a fuse.

 

No, actually I don't hear it.... wth... I cant think of any reason anything in that arena would go because of the belt change though.

 

I'm about to check all my fuses and relays now.

 

Odd and random things happen, 90% of the time things happen because of other things. But there's always that odd moment when something happens completely out of nowhere. We had a guy on here not too long ago that had is timing belt replace and his cruise control went out.

 

that guy that changed the timing belt and cruise control didn't work after probably kinked or bend a vaccum hose and never noticed. or pinched a cruise control wire not completing the circuit. maybe the pin on the cruise control connector gets pushed out as they connect the connector. so i believe he did something that caused the cruise control to stop working.

 

check the main relay https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/checking-main-relay-pics-2535047/ here a picture by picture how to check it. then post back and then the real diagnosis can begin

 

A very common question would be, are you getting spark? Are you getting fuel to the rail (why check the relay is you have fuel to the rail...just me)?

Next, another common question after a job like this - there is a very important ground (G101) on the drivers end of the TB, be sure you put it back on and it is clean and tight....#16 in this pic.