91 Civic - problems starting
 

Hey guys,

I tried searching first but couldn't seem to find anything...

My girlfriend has a '91 Civic hatchback and its being a pain in the ass again.

When she starts it, it will die/stall out right after. The only way to start it is by pushing the gas pedal in while starting. I recently did plugs, wires, distributor cap on it.

Could a clogged fuel filter cause a problem like this? If not, any ideas?

Thanks,
Chris

check air filter, check throttle body for carbon build up.... the car is 16 years old man.... there could be many things wrong with it. start with the simple stuff...

opening the throttle while starting usually means the car is starving for air.... not fuel. but it could be both.

or it could mean its running too rich at start up and needs to be running at a higher rpm to stay running.

Like bruno said, could be a bunch of things.. What did the plugs look like when you pulled them out? Black? white? tan?

Thanks for the replies guys....

bruno: anything specific i should use for cleaning the throttle body? i'm thinking just brake cleaner or something...

chris: i honestly dont remember... black would be carbon buildup.. white would mean its running lean... i think.. what about tan? I'll pull one and take a look...

Thanks again.. and any other suggestions of what to try are welcome...

Chris

there is a port hole that allows air into the engine to idle while the throttle plate is closed. this is the IACV (idle air control valve)... given what you describe, there is likely a carbon buildup there. use throttle body cleaner from Walmart or canadian tire to clean it up... or you could use this stuff called seafoam (pure petroleum). anyways... to test this lil theory about carbon buildup, unplug one of the vacuum lines and try to start the engine without touching the throttle.... the open vacuum line will allow more air into the manifold without you having to press the gas. if the car still stalls, try putting that line back on, and removing the vacuum source from the fuel pressure regulator, but this time PLUG that line. this will bump fuel pressure from 38 psi to 42 psi. that will tell us if the problem is perhaps fuel related.

Thanks man... I'll give this stuff a shot tonight and will report back..

Thanks,
Chris