Absolutely will not start

NATALIA VOGELSONG

MEMBER
1997 HONDA CIVIC
0.6L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
200,000 MILES

So far we have replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, thermostat, adjusted timing belt, flushed radiator and coolant overflow tank. We have spark, we have fuel, we have battery, the car still only cranks and will not turn over. The last time we tried to start the car, while cranking the engine pressure backed up into the coolant reservoir and sprayed fluid all over out the top.

5 Replies

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey NATALIA VOGELSONG,

Sounds like you need to carry out a compression test next to see if low compression is your issue. If you believe you have spark and fuel that is the next check.

I have attached the compression specs, please follow the guide below to check compression -

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

If it is pressurizing the cooling system when cranking you would have to have a very large leak in the head gasket. You will see this as low compression as the pressure is escaping into the cooling system.

What was the condition of the coolant/ why did you flush it?

Regards, Joe

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Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 AT 11:31 AM

NATALIA VOGELSONG

MEMBER
3 POSTS

We figured the thermostat needed to be changed (which it definitely did) because all of a sudden the heat stopped working. We would be driving down the road with frigid Ohio air blowing through the vents. So we figured while we had it torn apart we might as well change the hoses and flush the system. The old coolant was disgusting, very murky, and as it got to the bottom of the tank it was coming out almost black.

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Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 AT 11:31 AM

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey NATALIA VOGELSONG,

What happened prior to the non start?

Regards, joe

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Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 AT 11:31 AM

NATALIA VOGELSONG

MEMBER
3 POSTS

It had been running like normal, after my girlfriend dropped the kids off at school she stopped for gas and after pumping gas she said the car wouldn't start for her at first, but after a little while she tried again and it fired up just fine and she drove home fine. She said that when she turned the engine off there was a big puff of smoke from under the hood, and it hasn't started since.

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Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 AT 11:31 AM

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey NATALIA VOGELSONG,

Please can you check the compression and let us know what you have?

It is a quick way to rule out a base engine issue and stop spending too much time checking fuel and ignition systems if you are unsure.

Has the engine been overheating?

If when you are cranking the engine over you have bubbles in the cooling system it is very likely you have a head gasket issue. Take the cap off of the radiator and watch whilst cranking for bubbles.

Regards, Joe