jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote in message news:<4-SdnWaVEoaYkqLcRVn-jg@comcast.com>...
> 1. check the position of the leads in the distributor cap. i've seen
> people swear up, down & sideways that they never touched the ignition
> leads, but when you redo it, the car mysteriously starts. funny how
> that is.
>
> 2. now you've eliminated ignition sequence, focus on the blowback. if
> it really is blowing back, there's only 3 possibilities:
>
> i. cam timing off.
> ii. burnt/dropped valve
> iii. broken head or block.
>
> the first you can check with a compression tester. the second by
> redoing the belt thing again - making sure you're not 180 degrees off.
> third, by physical inspection, but a compression test should give you a
> clue here too.
>
> 3. when you're absolutely certain the blowback issue is resolved, and be
> sure it /is/ blowing back, not just making noise, /then/ go back to the
> electrical/spark stuff. any electrical testing in the world is a
> complete waste if you're trying to ignite an empty cylinder or an
> exhaust cycle.
>
My old compression cauge willnot fit down into the recessed Civic
sparkplug holes. I have arranged to borrow one Friday and will test the compression.
Thanks
Terry