I have a very intermittent start problem with my 94 Civic EX. It starts up perfectly about 90% of the time, but once in a while it cranks but won't start. And the strange thing is when that happens, it is also cranking quite a bit faster than normal to where I thought I had a stripped timing belt the first time it happened. But that is not the case, because I can see the valve lifters moving with the valve cover cap off while it is cranking. Then if I just let it set and try again later, it will crank normally and start right up.
Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and it is very intermittent.


Just can't figure out what could cause it to crank faster than normal when it won't start.


I don't want to get rid of the car, as it is a really fun car to drive, but I am running out of ideas on what could cause this type of problem.

 

Check the basics, make sure your plugs are good, fuel filter, pump, etc.

 

All of the basics seem to be good. I just can't wrap my head around why it would crank so much faster during the times that it will not start. It's almost like the compression in all of the cylinders just goes away. And then, maybe 30 minutes later when I try it again it sounds normal.


Once it starts, it has no problems at all. It runs perfect, doesn't stall or hesitate. VTEC works perfectly and no CEL ever. Only a very intermittent startup issue that occurs maybe once every 40 or so attempts. Which also makes it a little difficult to troubleshoot.

 

Check basics when engine will NOT start.

Any CEL codes?

 

This is highly highly unlikely but if you have sticky valves they could be sticking open just enough to not seal, this would behave exactly as you described as no pressure would build.

For one, I can't see it happening on all 4 cylinders.

It is a vtec, could the vtec be getting stuck engaged? If it can, what would that behavior be?

I would be inclined to pull the valve cover off and see what the condition of the head looks like.

If you pull the cover off and see anything like the following pictures, you could definitely have all kinds of sticking problems going on:

 

Those pics^ are like passing a gory, multiple fatality car accident. It's painful to see, but you can't look away.

 

ROFL, soooo true. I wish I still had the one shared on face book. It put those to shame, you couldn't even see the cams or valve springs.