No Start 3: Checking Engine Mechanical Condition
One of the most overlooked areas, when testing a hard to diagnose no start, is the mechanical condition of your 1.6L Honda vehicle.
Checking the engine mechanical condition means an engine compression test and the timing belt.
- When performing an engine compression test, what you're looking for is an average compression reading of NO LESS THAN 90 PSI across all or the majority of the engine cylinders.
- If you have one or just two readings that are under 90 PSI your Honda vehicle will still start and run, albeit with a misfire condition.
- The following tutorial will help you do a compression test:
- The following tutorial will help you do a timing belt test:
No Start Troubleshooting Summary
In this article/tutorial, you've learned that checking the basics (spark, fuel and air -engine compression) is the key to successfully troubleshooting and repairing the cause of the Cranks but Does Not Start Condition on your Honda Civic (Civic del Sol).
I'll emphasize this one more time: The key to saving yourself time and money is checking the basics first. The basics are spark, fuel and air (engine cylinder compression).
To check the basics, you need tools. There's just no way around it. One of the analogies that I've always enjoyed repeating, about doing a job without the right tools is like trying to eat a bowl of soup with a fork.
So besides knowing what to test, you need tools to do those tests. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg, since you can buy a lot of diagnostics tools that are tailored for the pocket-books of the serious do-it-yourself-er. Here are some of the basic tools you'll need:
- Fuel pressure gauge.
- Spark tester.
- Compression gauge.
- Multimeter.
More 1.6L Honda Civic Tutorials
You can find a complete list of tutorials here: Honda 1.6L Index Of Articles. Below, is a sample of articles you'll find in this index of articles:
- How To Test: Lock-up Control Solenoid Valves (1996-2000 1.6L Honda Civic).
- How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (Honda 1.6L).
- How To Test Engine Compression (Honda 1.6L).
- How To Test For A Broken Timing Belt (1.6L Honda Civic).
- How To Test The Igniter, Ignition Coil Accord, Civic, CRV, and Odyssey (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
