i have a 2000 honda civic and its been having trouble starting i thought it was the starter right away but the mechanic said no that it might be the air valve what do you guys think?

 

You need to be more specific and if your mechanic looked at it and isn't sure what it is; I'd find a new mechanic.

 

Automatic or Manual transmission ???
Do you hear a "click" when you try and start it or is it dead silent when you turn the key ???
Does it start and then stall ???
Do you hear it turn over, but it never starts and runs on it's own ???

Please give more information so that members here may be more helpful. Both hard data and personal observations are helpful.

 

Starting or cranking? Because if it cranks every time it's not a starter issue. Starting would be an issue with spark, fuel, air, compression or a timing issue but I've never heard of an "air valve", whatever that is, causing a no start issue.

 

The IACV and FITV are technically "air valves." But they wouldn't stop the car from starting, just effect the idle. Sounds like a spark problem to me. Do the 2000 models have ICMs?

 

Definitely time to find a new mechanic.

If the car cranks, then you need to start trouble shooting for any air/spark/fuel issues. Let us know what the car is currently doing when you attempt to start it, and we can go from there.