Hey I bought this 1996 civic ex 4 door 5spd manual off a buddy knowing it didn't run. Info I was given was they went to start it and no dice called for a tow and were instructed to used a fuel un-freezing agent. They tried that and it started and ran fine, parked it that night and next morning no start again. Needless to say I jumped at the opportunity to snag the car for $800 bucks thinking an easy fix. So far I have installed a new battery distributor and plug wires. I have good spark to the plugs( have new plugs just not installed yet). I have fuel to to rail ( no pressure test preformed yet). The car will crank and sometimes spitter but will not start. I attempted using starting fluid after the new distributo and wires were installed and still no start. There is oil on top of the trans and down that side of the block where a few sensors are I believe from valve cover and distributor o-ring, not sure what sensors they are though. I am shying away from a timing issues since they stated it ran fine, since they are a friend I don't believe they would lie,knowing I have no issues dropping an engine in it. Amy advice would be greatly appreciated thanks.

 

Remove the top of the timing belt cover and check your marks. If that checks out, make sure the distributor is centered up, and not bolted down with the slots all the way to one side. You say that you have spark at the plugs, and it will not start on starting fluid, all you have left is timing and compression. And you'll be ruling out timing after you do the above steps.