I have a 94 prelude si 220,000 miles 5 speed no check engine light. So the other day I pulled up to a stop sign and my car just shut off, would not turn back on had to get it towed. I have been trying to get it started again but nothing, it cranks but not smoothly, it will crank fine then stop cranking then start cranking again then repeat, its very uneven. I tried pop starting it several times with no luck so I don't think it's the starter nor would that explain why it shut off in the first place. Also white grayish smoke comes out of the engine bay when cranking and smells of something I have never smelled before. Its not fuel, burning oil, or burning coolant, or any kind of burning electronics I have ever smelt. Almost smells like burning rubber but not quite. All cylinders are getting spark. I think fuel is flowing, any way to test that? I tried shooting some starting fluid into the intake, still didn't start. I'm thinking about taking the valve cover off and having a look at the timing belt, it was replaced about 15k ago. Any other suggestions?

 

Sounds like the timing belt slipped a couple teeth or broke. Check timing first thing

 

you should also do compression and leak tests