97 civic random trouble starting

Discussion in 'Civic' started by shaunbowe, Nov 29, 2006.

  1. shaunbowe

    shaunbowe Guest

    I have a 97 civic EX that still runs great (most of the time). About
    twice a year I attempt to start the car and it sounds like it is about
    to start but it never catches. If I hold the accelerator to the floor
    and try to start it, it starts after about 10 seconds of cranking.
    After it starts it sounds like it is running on 3 cylinders until I get
    the rpms up to about 5000. Once it hits that number you can actually
    hear something pop and the car runs fine.

    I had this problem more often about a year ago then I started using a
    fuel injector cleaner and it stopped happening. Any ideas how I can fix
    this? Based on that I am guessing this is something in the fuel system,
    but I haven't been able to narrow it down. Has anybody else had a
    similar problem?

    Thanks
     
    shaunbowe, Nov 29, 2006
    #1
  2. shaunbowe

    motsco_ Guest

    =============================================

    You had a dribbling injector and you solved it by applying the Honda
    solution for "Flooded Engine" (per your owner's manual). You should just
    use injector cleaner a couple times a year and the problem will go away.
    Nobody ever suggested that before? Gasohol works just about as good.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Nov 29, 2006
    #2
  3. shaunbowe

    shaunbowe Guest

    Thanks for the info. I have never been able to find a solution to this,
    probably because I was not searching for the right thing.
     
    shaunbowe, Nov 29, 2006
    #3
  4. shaunbowe

    shaunbowe Guest

    After reading some of your other posts I am sure this is the problem.
    When it finally did start I remember seeing a large cloud of smoke from
    the exhaust as you have said in the past.
     
    shaunbowe, Nov 29, 2006
    #4
  5. What kind of cloud?

    Grey and gasoline odor - Gasoline
    White and persistent with no odor - Oil
    White and fades with garden hose odor - Coolant

    Oil could mean that a valve stem oil seal has broken. Coolant would be
    really bad.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Nov 29, 2006
    #5
  6. shaunbowe

    jim beam Guest

    gasoline is usually black and sooty
    oil's blue and stinks - like oil!
    more of a sweet odor - just like the coolant's glycol tastes.
    valve stem leakage, even when there are no seals at all, is usually
    pretty minor. and it doesn't happen when the engine is standing, only
    when operating.
    indeed - head gasket.
     
    jim beam, Nov 29, 2006
    #6
  7. I've had valve stem oil seals fail. Some engines have small oil pools
    around the valve stems so they don't go dry. Those can dump quite a bit
    of oil into the cylinders overnight.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Nov 30, 2006
    #7
  8. shaunbowe

    jim beam Guest

    sure, that's true, but not civics.
     
    jim beam, Nov 30, 2006
    #8
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.