Honda Car Forum

Ok im trying to buy this 95 honda civic 4door from this guy. lt was in a wreck about 2 years ago, but he said he drove it about 9 months ago, but hasnt drove it since. so its been sitting in his driveway for 9 months.Last night, i went over there and we tried to start it. the battery was GONE, so i borrowed my battery from my car and put it in. then when i tried to start it, it sounded like it wanted to start, but it didnt. so we put a gallon of gas in it because it was on empty, but it still didnt start. any other suggestion? i need to get this thing started later tonight, so please help asap!and by the way, the accident only damaged the hood and front windshieldthanks ahead of time!

you may have to turn the key on and off several times to get the gas up to the engine, also check the air filter to make sure nothing has made a nest in the filter box

See if its getting fuel & spark

a car needs three things to run fuel, air, and spark... something's missing. I always start with spark, so pull a plug and hold it close to ground (with something insulated) and see if you get spark. Fuel, if you put a gallon of gas in and have been cranking it with no action, you should be able to easily smell fuel by the intake. Air - well, that's pretty self-explanitory.Good Luck

Unless you are only paying like 20 or 30 dollars for this piece of junk then forget it! It's gonna be a money pit!

Engine start issues come down to fuel and fire.Here are the clues: "It sounded like it was going to start".This probably means that the igniton is firing so that is good news."Sitting ... for 9 months"This probably means the tank is dry or gunked up in the bottom or fuel has coagulated in the fuel system. Add a lot more gas to the tank. Get at least 5 gallons in there in case the fuel pump is having problems picking up the fuel because it was allowed to evaporate. Stop by the local auto store and get a can of quick start. This will probably smell like ether. Remove the air intake hose and shoot in the quick start in and replace the hose. Try to start the engine.

best thing is do not buy this car unless you getting dirt cheap. the spark plugs may be wet with gas, while you were trying to start the car. bring the car to a repair shop before you buy it, may have head gasket problem $$$$$$$$$$$$

It's possible the fuel pump froze/rusted up from just sitting. Verify fuel..Crack the fuel line going to the injector rail. You should get a good spray just by turning on the key. Assuming there is pressure, check for spark..however, there is a good possibility you (a fluke) may have broken a timing belt. Take the distributor cap off and check to see that the rotor is actually turning. If it does, the belt is ok. Put the cap back on and then pull a spark plug wire off the plug and check for spark while cranking. You may just have a bunch of dead gas and might need to drain the tank and start with fresh. I have worked on several no start cars where the people tell me that it was running down the road and then died. A broken timing belt usually sounds like it spins with no compression and then tries to fire randomly. Double check the belt if you still have no luck..and actually take the top cover off and verify all the marks!