After installing a new head gasket on my 2002 Civic Ex with 1.7L VTEC, it started right up, and idled normally for a minute, and suddenly shut off. It started again, and shut off after 10 seconds. It started again and ran 1 second. Now it is very difficult tp start, if it will start at all. It seemed like a fuel pump/filter problem, but the pump is working properly, and there is 40PSI at the fuel rail. The relays seem to be working fine. It is throwing no error codes, which is confusing. Once in a while it will start after long cranking, idle and accelerate normally for a few seconds, and suddenly shut off. I'm kind of stuck at what to try next. Any ideas?

 

Check your timing chain and it's position. That's what it sounds like.

 

Thanks, but that has just been double checked. If that were the case, it would be throwing a CPS error code.

 

If it sat for 6 months while you did the job then try an octane booster , maybe purge out the fuel line