'00 Civic LX
5 Speed D16y7
225k

Hi all,
I'm pretty stumped.
A couple weeks ago my car decided to not start after I drove to the gas station. I let it sit for a few minutes, then the car hesitated, but started. Drive home with no problems.
I've been fussing with it ever since. Most of the time it starts completely flawlessly, but sometimes it'll just refuse, unless I prime the fuel pump several times and give it gas, then it might start with some hesitation. If I let it sit for more than an hour or so, it'll fire right up no problem.
It seems to hate short trips the most. I've driven long distances, came back, restarted the car a bunch and it won't complain. If I drive 5 minutes down the road it might complain, it might not.
It has only done this once it's close to or at operating temp. It always cold starts perfectly.
Whenever I do get it to start it'll absolutely reek of gas for a minute or so. Nothing else abnormal occurs.
The car runs phenomenally. Idles perfect. Zero codes. No misfires. MPG seems ok. Doesn't feel down on power. No abnormalities in the live data. Battery is healthy, connections are solid and clean. Fuel pump is priming. Starter is good. Fluids are good. Nothing looks out of the ordinary.
I'm pretty lost here, any input?

 

I’d put a gauge on that fuel rail, or if you can, even better would be inside the car, so you can see what it’s doing while driving.
Is this a stock engine? Anything replaced recently? You could have an injector issue / leaking seal, or possibly some ignition problem.

 

The car is completely stock.
I replaced the plugs a couple years ago. I've only ever done the air filter, oil changes, and a valve adjustment as far as engine stuff goes in my time owning this car.
I suspect the fuel filter could be clogged, as I doubt it's been changed, but with how inconsistent and strange the behavior is I fail to see how the symptoms line up with that. I also might need to do cap+rotor+wires, as I am uncertain how old they are.
I can't really throw the parts cannon at it, so I'm trying to figure out how to narrow it down as much as possible before I spend money.

 

I have a similar issue, although sometimes it doesn't start at all. But most of the time it runs perfectly. I've replaced the whole ignition (distributor (also coil, rotor, cap separately before replacing the whole distributor), wires, plugs, CPS sensor (the one under the timing belt), did the timing belt...). None of it seemed to make a difference.

But havent figured it out still.. I'll let you know if i find anything and will be folowing your thread for any updates

 

I just posted about zakec's similar issue. I suggested looking inside the ECU to inspect for leakage from the capacitors. They can leak their electrolyte which is corrosive and can ruin the board. I've seen and heard of this causing intermittent starting and eventually-- no start. It can very well not be the issue, but I thought i'd throw it out there. It doesn't cost anything to take a peek inside, and if you have the technical ability, easy and cheap to fix. Just clean the board, fix any traces, and recap the board. It's becoming a perventative maintenance item IMO