1992 Honda Accord

L_WILDEBOER

MEMBER
1992 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
21,600 MILES

I have recently replaced a head gasket. The car was running fine when I started to work on it. I was careful to keep the timing correct but it would not start when I got it put back together. The number one piston is at top dead center, the rotary points at the number one spark wire and the notches on the fly wheel are lined up. The coil is working and the spark plugs are getting fire. Both valves are closed on the TDC position. I did remove the head without removing the intake manifold. There are two lines running to the gas bar- one has gas (Metal) the other (rubber) has nothing. Thr rubber one does nothing when I crank the car-(no vacumn or gas.)
The car does not even try to start when I crank it.

Could it possibly be out of time? What else could be the problem?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi l_wildeboer,

Thank you for the donation.

Before we knwo what is causing the engine not starting, we need to isolate the cause and they are :

1. Ignition. Do you have sparks at plugs and is the ignition timingcorect? Has the timing belt been sorrectly installed?

2. Fuel suppply. Are you getting fuel pressurs at the fuel rail? Could be a fuel pump or relay problem.

3. Wireharness poor ground. Is the Check Engine Lamp showing for 2 seconds when ignition switch is turned on? If it flickers when ignition switch is turened on, check the ground at the thermostat housing, it could be loose.

4. Compression. After removing head, the pistons could have dried up resulting in loss of compression. Do a wet test by putting some engine oil in the cylinders and crank the engine at full throttle without the spark plugs to get the compression up.