Will not start

Tiny
PURRFECT312
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 295,000 MILES
Is there a camshaft position sensor in the car listed above?We have done everything to our car but it still wont start. We changed out the entire top of the motor, all belts and pulley's. Brand new water pump and alternator, fuel pump is good. Checked the timing with a mobile mechanic who said it was okay. But the car still wont start.
Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 AT 5:28 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

You need spark, fuel and compression for it to run.

What has been checked for this issue?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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We have checked the cylinder compression and all 4 are good. What else do you suggest to try? We have put so much time and effort into the car. We are just trying to get it to run. We got a new battery for the car too.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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What is the compression? I need numbers.

Does it have spark?

Is there fuel in the carburetor?

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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They all were steady between 120 and 130 pressure. We bought the kit at Harbor Freight to make sure we did it right. Okay, I don't know what a carburetor is for the fuel question, I can ask my boyfriend if he knows about that question and I know he checked the spark plugs for spark. It sounds like it wants to turn on and when he tries to start it. Yesterday there was black smoke coming out of the tailpipe which we were told was a good thing. We just put new (used from a reliable junkyard place) heads in as well.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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We tried the spark plugs. No spark for any of them. What now?
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, you said you had spark and now you do not.

Have him check for spark coming out of the distributor cap before going to the distributor and coil.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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We did that no spark. Come to find out that the part with the 2 prongs on the end of the distributor were snapped off. Fortunately my boyfriend got it all out before it went into the engine. So we need a new distributor. I think, lol.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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That is correct. Replace the distributor.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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Okay so we replaced the distributor and the car starts! Only thing is it is idling really high. Any thoughts?
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
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Have them check for vacuum leaks. Check all the hoses and make sure they are not cracked or broken.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
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Okay, so now I have an oil leak. The oil is leaking from above where the oil filter is. Where would it be leaking from? Can't find anything online of a clue to where it would be leaking from.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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You will never find it online. You will find it on the car.

Above the filter is the oil pressure switch, head gasket, and the valve cover gasket.

Use a bright light and check for the leak with the engine running.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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Okay, we are currently working on it. Thanks
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Keep me updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
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So are still having trouble finding the oil leak. Pretty steady drip, and he checked the sensor that's right above the oil filter and it is okay. Problem is he took off the distributor to make sure that wasn't leaking and now the car wont start again. Ugh. This car is becoming so much work.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Can you attach a picture of where you see the leak?

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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I have attached a few photos. Let me know.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I need to see more around the area it is leaking from. That just shows it is leaking.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
PURRFECT312
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Okay, give me a few for that, lol. I don't normally crawl under the car. Lol
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM

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