Fires on one cylinder, will not start?

Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HONDA ELEMENT
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Fires on one cylinder, won't start. Check fuel pressure, good. Checked spark to all cylinders, good. Pulled fuel rail with injectors intact, all squirting fuel. Replace cam sensors and crankshaft sensors. Any ideas? And checked fuses.
Monday, March 3rd, 2025 AT 2:39 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, it sounds like you have a blown head gasket between two cylinders, let's do a compression test to confirm the issue.

Here is a guide to help you:

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

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
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  • 16 POSTS
The compression was fine. I must apologize for beginning this request without full information to you. Back in December the Element wouldn't start, only firing on one cylinder. We had a snow alert so I called a shop to tow it. They put in a fuel pump and it started right up and we drove it home. Went to start it a week later and same issue Only fire on one cylinder. So I took the fuel line apart and made sure it flowed well, did a pressure test - good. Pulled the fuel rail with injectors on the rail and all pulsed. Pulled the coils and left spark plugs in the coils, they all sparked. Checked all fuses. Replaced cam sensors and crankshaft sensor. Did compression test as suggested, good.
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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There should be trouble codes then, also can you upload a short video of the engine cranking over? That way I can tell if the engine is hurt or not. Please go over this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Also, does the engine run on starting fluid?

This video can help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Sprayed starting fluid in open throttle body. Did not fire at all. Pulled all coils and plugs leaving plugs in coils and turned engine over. All plugs spark nicely. Pulled gas line and checked volume and pressure from fuel pump. All good. Thoughts?
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Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you upload a short video of the engine cranking? It sounds like you have no compression, I can tell for sure with video, I know you said the compression is good. Also, with the engine cranking over, put your hand over the exhaust pipe to see if you can feel air pulsing out from it. Let me know.
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Friday, April 4th, 2025 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Also the exhaust pulses.
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Friday, April 4th, 2025 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, well we are stuck with a compression test or a short video upload so I can see the engine cranking.
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Saturday, April 5th, 2025 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
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  • 16 POSTS
The compression was from 145 to 150 on all cylinders. Could it be the VTEC solenoid?
Video (Click to make bigger)
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Saturday, April 5th, 2025 AT 1:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it sounds good, thanks for the video. It could be the VTEC system, I see you have the valve cover off can you see the VTEC system engaged? Did you ever run the codes to see if any are stored?
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Sunday, April 6th, 2025 AT 12:58 PM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
No codes stored that is what is puzzling. Just to recall my original post. Son-in-law said it wouldn't start. Towed it to a shop and they replaced the fuel pump. He started it right up and drove it home. Next day wouldn't start again. I would have thought it might be out of time but since it started at the shop and drove home that kind of ruled that out. How do I tell if the VETEC is engaging?
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Sunday, April 6th, 2025 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can tell if the VETEC valve is working along side of the regular intake valve will be operational. So, to recap, you have compression, fuel and spark with pulses from the exhaust so we know that it is not clogged, and the engine will not run, correct?
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Monday, April 7th, 2025 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
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Correct. Fuel, spark, compression, pulse.
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Monday, April 7th, 2025 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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So it has everything to run but doesn't. Are the spark plugs carbon fouled? If so, I would try a new set.
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Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 AT 8:51 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Well I've tried the following:
Replaced fuel pump
Took fuel line off; plenty of volume and 40 lbs. Pressure
Took injectors loose and hooked up to harness. Lots of spray
Took spark plugs out, checked gap, no foul, hooked up to harness; all sparked fine
Replaced both cam sensors
Replaced camshaft sensor
Replaced VTEC solenoid
I fancied myself a pretty darn good DYI mechanic since I was a heavy equipment mechanic. This has me stumped. I keep suspecting the timing chain and cams out of time because when I release the switch from cranking it coughs. The only reason I haven't tackled that yet is because after it was in the shop for the same problem it started once and drove home.
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Thursday, April 10th, 2025 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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If the cams were out the compression would not be that good. The only thing I can think of is that the spark is being delivered at the wrong time in the combustion cycle.
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Friday, April 11th, 2025 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
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Would that mean a new PCM?
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Friday, April 11th, 2025 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, or there is something mechanical inside the engine causes the crank trigger to be at the wrong time.
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Sunday, April 13th, 2025 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
LWOLFGRAM
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Hi Ken, finally got the Element issue figured out when I hard set the computer by touching the disconnected negative and positive cables together. Started right up!
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Monday, July 21st, 2025 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Monday, July 21st, 2025 AT 5:29 PM

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