Re: 92 Honda Accord - will not start

I forgot to mention in the original post that I replaced the spark plug wires and wire from the coil to the distributor.

Thank you for your feedback!

Jeff

"JH" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com:

What happens when you spray starting fluid while cranking?

Absolutely nothing happens when I spray starter fluid into the intake. The engine cranks; the cylinders do not fire.

That means the spark isn't doing anything useful (or there is an internal engine problem or the engine is badly flooded). Your original post describes a strong blue spark, which means the ignitor was working okay then. Please be aware that cranking with no place for the spark to go is likely to short the ignition coil - don't ask me how I know :-(

If there is a spark and it isn't igniting the fuel, check the timing. If it's way off, the timing belt isn't as good as it looks. Don't just set the belt timing back unless the belt is brand new; replace the belt.

Mike

"JH" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@v45g2000cwv.googlegroups.com:

Have you checked to see if there's any sign of arcing in the spark plug tubes?

Have you checked ignition timing when you crank?

Have you tried the "pedal to the floor" trick while cranking? This will help clear a flooded condition.

Most of the obvious thing you have done or others have suggested. Did anything unusual or different happen before the problem occurred? It might help in diagnosing the mystery.

Does it still crank about the same speed as before the problem? Any new noises? No check engine light the went away?

You have spark, probably no problem compression, and fuel before the injectors. Maybe there is a problem with the injector system. The starting fluid should have made the engine want to start unless it had way to much fuel. Hold the gas pedal to the floor while cranking should have helped unless there is just too much fuel.

Try starting it again. Then pull a plug, see if it's wet and or smells like gas. Take a whiff close to the spark plug hole and maybe even the tail pipe for gas.

Possibly a weak coil? Strong enough to fire a plug outside the engine but not with a little fuel and a lot of pressure inside the engine.

I really appreciate everyone's advice. I did get my car started, finally! Here's what I think is happening:

I noticed that two of the spark plugs were fouled up with fuel. I pulled all the plugs overnight to let the cylinders dry out a bit. When I put the plugs back in, I pressed the gas pedal to the floor, and cranked the engine for about 30 seconds until it finally choked to life. I ran the car today, and the check engine light came on - code

1. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong but the way I interpret this code is that the O2 sensor is seeing either an overly rich or lean mixture. I metered the fuel injectors and found that they all read about 60K ohms. The Haynes manual says they should read 5 to 7 ohms.

Long story short, I think one or two injectors are failing. It wouldn't start because the car was sitting for four days without being started. At least one injector leaked, and flooded the engine.

Sound about right?

Considering the injectors are out of spec, I'm going to replace them and see if the problem clears up.

Thank you,

Jeff

"JH" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@38g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Your injectors are just crudded up.

Keihin injectors NEVER "go bad". NEVER. Never never never. There is a very good reason they cost $250 each new. They are good forever. Their quality is without peer.

If you can locate one of those places that does injector cleaning, you're best to just get yours scrubbed. Even a Motorvac service will do this with the injectors in-situ.