'98 Civic Won't Start in Cold

[SoBe8503]

Hey guys,

I have a '98 Honda Civic that's been having a lot of issues starting in the cold. It turns over just fine, I smell a little bit of gas, but it just takes forever to start. Once the car / weather is a little warmer, no issues at all. I did some looking and some people suggest changing the coolant sensor. I trust you guys more, what do you think?

[KSIMP88]

sounds like gas line issues to me. bump

[Gandalf]

Also might be worth checking the ignition wires/coils/plugs

[Felipe the Ant]

I second ignition, unless it's been sitting outside for a while before you try to start it then it shouldn't be fuel. Especially if you can smell it.

[Gandalf]

Yeah, it's the fuel smell that makes me think ignition...if it's not getting fuel I doubt you'd smell fuel - more likely if fuel is getting there, but not being ignited in some/all of the cylinders. Do you have electronic ignition, or a distributor?

[SoBe8503]

Yeah, it's the fuel smell that makes me think ignition...if it's not getting fuel I doubt you'd smell fuel - more likely if fuel is getting there, but not being ignited in some/all of the cylinders. Do you have electronic ignition, or a distributor?

Honestly I'm not sure. Think it's a distributor. What am I looking for if I were to start checking things? Dirty/worn out spark plugs and coils?

This only happens when it's cold out. If it's warm outside or if I've already had it running for a bit, it starts up just fine. That's why I thought it was the coolant sensor.

[wierdo124]

Test for a spark.

[Gandalf]

The coolant sensor won't affect starting...it just controls your fans, water pump, etc. And honestly, I usually just replace my spark plugs...sometimes they can look fine, but still be the problem. Before it stopped starting was it running rough at all? Usually the distributor will cause cause the car to run rough for a little while before completely killing it...though that's not always necessarily true.

[lautinjr]

Being a 98 i wouldn't suspect coolant sensor i would probably lean towards bad cold start injector, Timing, or oil pressure. Some vehicles won't start the ignition and or fuel system till they detect oil pressure. you could still smell gas because the residual pressure in the fuel line can fire in the engine but with out high pressure the injectors won't properly vaporize the fuel and liquid gas doesn't burn so it can contine into the exhaust system and produce a strong odor.

All and all need more info for a prope diagnosis.

[wierdo124]

If oil pressure was too low you'd think the idiot light would come on the dash.

[Shrimpykins]

I'd take it to a local shop and pay a small fee for them to determine what is wrong with it, would be better than us trying to diagnose it over the internet without being able to look over the car IMO.

[lautinjr]

If oil pressure was too low you'd think the idiot light would come on the dash.

When cranking normally all or none of the dash lights work

[KSIMP88]

Yessir. When it's running though, as stated in post one...

Any indicator lights or lag in power?

[SoBe8503]

Power doesn't seem to be an issue. Everything is nice and bright and working just fine. The dash lights dim a little when cranking on it, but that's normal. No warning lights either. One thing that started happening the past couple days: after my normal 2 minutes of trying to start it up, it will start to putter about dozen times like it's really trying to start up. Then it finally kicks in and runs like normal.

[cluffenstein]

plugs or wires, or maybe even exhaust leak.

does it sound like the beginning of

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Overclock_madkat/th_Picture049.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Overclock_madkat/?action=view&current=Picture049.flv)

? Click to play

P.S I really don't miss that trans LOL.

[SoBe8503]

Well it looks like I may have fixed it. I had to get to my parent's place to borrow my dad's tools, so it took a while. I took out one spark plug and it was insanely corroded and the gap was WAY to big. Couldn't even use my gap measure-r thingy (Technical term). So $8 and 4 new plugs later, it started right up. The true test will be in the morning when it's coldest.

[KSIMP88]

Sounds like you're right.

[Gandalf]

Yep, sounds like you got it. You might also want to check the wires, though - I usually replace both at the same time.

[Retrospekt]

8 bucks for 4 plugs? Shoulda sprung for the platinums or iridiums...especially on a japanese engine. On a Civic you should stick with NGK or Denso platinum's. They're a bit more expensive but last a longer time and they usually account for better gas mileage.

Anyway, you should do the wires at the same time. If the plugs were that old, chances are the wires aren't great.

[wierdo124]

NGKs are $2.20 at my napa.

[canadianshane]

depending how cold it is you may need to get a block heater, i know my car after it gets blow about 0 degrees i need to use my block heater so it will start

[auctionguy]

i'll agree with shane, sometimes a block heater is all you need ( unfortunately simplest solutions are sometimes easiest and the most reliable)

although you should try to take the car to your mechanic, and see if there is some oil problem or something.

[Shrimpykins]

i'll agree with shane, sometimes a block heater is all you need ( unfortunately simplest solutions are sometimes easiest and the most reliable)

although you should try to take the car to your mechanic, and see if there is some oil problem or something.

Is having advert's in your sig allowed on these forums?

[KSIMP88]

Is having advert's in your sig allowed on these forums?

no-sir