hi my 02 Honda Civic EX just broke down. I have a feeling it's a fuel issue. I can not pop the clutch to get the car started so that ruled out the starter and battery. Is there a test I can do to confirm there's fuel running to the injectors?

Thanks,

TKE402

 

what happened when it broke down? Where you driving it or did it just not start when you came out to drive? Also can you hear the fuel pump when u turn the key to position 2?

 

The car didn't start after I filled it with gas. It was running on fumes before that. I pulled into a gas station, filled it up, turned the key and nothing. I didn't check specificly if I could hear the fuel pump. Is that something I can hear from the driver's seat? It sounds like a humming sound right?

 

Have you tried turning the key to ignition (not start, just ignition) and letting the fuel pump prime before starting the engine?

Yes, the humming noise is the fuel pump priming. The CEL (check engine light) should be lit when the fuel pump primes.

 

"Turn the key and nothing" so the starter doesn't even engage and try to start it? In that case it's some sort of electrical problem.

When you turn the key to the normal run position but don't try to start, the oil and battery lights on the dash should come on, and the check engine light should come on and go out. If it doesn't do that, you have no power from the battery, blown fuse, bad key switch, malfunction of the anti-theft system (if equipped), etc.

 

So I gave up and towed the car to a garage. He said that the timing belt went and now my valves are bent and it needs a new cylinder head. All my cars I have never had to replace the timing belt. In hindsight I have probably had all cars with timing chains rather than belts, perhaps that's why! Anyway, the mechanic says it will cost $1000.00 for parts not including labor. What do you guys think, is this reasonable?

TKE402

 

no, that's not reasonable. you can get a new head for probably $200-300 and then you'd just need timing belt, tensioner, water pump, and head gasket.

that should only run you $500 max in parts.

 

This may be a dumb question and i've seen this happen...but did you accidentally pump diesel fuel? Also, i've seen bad fuel from gas station...i had to replace a friends fuel pump and fuel filter after emptying out all the bad fuel. Luckily it didn't cause a prob with the injectors.

I would get a second opinion if you can. Best way to see if it's really your timing...have someone check cylinder compression. At least 1 cylinder should not have/hold compression if timing belt gave and bent the valves.

Just sounds odd that one moment you're pulling into a gas station with no probs...then you fill up and now it won't start. And now you're staring at 1000+ bill...