I have been working on my 1989 Honda Accord 2.0L FI 4cyl since Dec. I changed out the Head Gasket and just about every other gasket I saw as everything was basically plastic instead of rubber. I have everything back together with new spark plug wires, spark plugs, fuel injectors, battery, distributor cap, and rotor.

I know the car needs fuel, spark, and air to start. I have triple checked every connector, vacuum line, and for any leaks. I also thought my ignition coil may be bad so I bought one, installed, and the car still didn't start. I have verified the car is getting spark by taking out a spark plug, inserting it in a spark plug wire, and trying to start the car. I know I am getting fuel because I have hear the fuel pump engaging and I have pressure when I loosen the nut to the fuel filter. I have also sprayed fuel starter in my air intake and tried to start the car but it just keeps turning over but not starting. I have set the timing to top dead center thinking this was an issue but nothing. The car has wanted to start 2 times but just died out. Please help. Thank you.

P.S. if I take a video and upload it to youtube will that help?

 

Did you use a timing light to adjust the spark plug timing?

The firing order on your car is 1, 3, 4, 2. Get the car to TDC by getting the cam to TDC (the crank turns twice for every 1 turn of the cam). Remove the distributor cap and verify the tip of the rotor is pointing to spark plug #1 on the distributor cap.

 

I have not used a timing light however I have removed the distributor cap to verify the tip of the rotor is pointing to spark plug #1.

 

Are you using the cam sprocket to get to TDC? Looking at the distributor cap from the passenger side of the engine bay, the firing order of the wires should be 1,3,4,2 going clockwise. Make sure you didn't mix up the wires.

Is your check engine light remaining on after you attempt to start the vehicle after the bulb check?

 

I will double check the spark plug wires. When you label the numbers in clockwise order the numbers represent the cylinder correct? So 1,3,4,2 cylinders? No the check engine light is not remaining on after I attempt to start the vehicle. I am using the cam sprocket to get TDC. I removed the number one spark plug and their was fuel on it. Not a lot but some fuel. What does this mean?

 

I just reset the spark plug wires 1342 like you said I tried to crank it but still had the same result

 

Fuel on the spark plugs means that you have a spark or compression problem. Since I am not familiar with the 89 setup, I uploaded a picture of the spark plug numbering on the dist. cap.

When you say you replaced the head gasket, did you remove the cylinder head and get it serviced at a machine shop? Were you getting coolant in the cylinders or compression loss?

Anyway, I would lean towards a spark problem. Remember that you need a higher voltage spark to jump the gap when the air is compressed in the engine. That is why I was asking if you had a timing light, because that picks up the current while the plug is in the engine. If compression is ok, then I would lean towards either a bad coil or igniter. If it was me, I would probably stop by a junkyard to pick one up instead of buying a new one and possibly wasting money.

 

One other suggestion is to pull the spark plugs and let them dry. Get the spark plug wires in the proper order. Then retry.

The cylinders are numbered 1,2,3,4, where 1 is the cylinder on the driver's side of the car and cylinder 4 is on the passenger side of the car. Just want to make sure the simple stuff isn't overlooked when troubleshooting.

 

And since the plugs are out, check the compression.

 

I just did a compression test. The readings are at 88 to 90 psi from what I got. The normal range for my car is between 135-178 with maximum variation at 28. Of course those numbers are for when the car is running at 400 rpm's with throttle wide open. Because I can't get my car started I don't know if the numbers would be off or not like they already are. I also noticed it seemed as though gas was coming out of the spark plug holes. I don't know if that is normal or not as I have never done a compression test before. Thank you for all of your help guys. If I can't get this car going I am screwed.