As in the title. My friends car is a 1991 Civic DX 1.5L 5spd. I'll do my best to explain, so bare with me here..
His girlfriend was on her way to work. The way she explained it to me was.. "I was taking off from the light, everything felt fine, then just out of know where the car nose dived and died." She went on with more, although I didn't understand a thing she had said. She some how managed to get it into a neighborhood street.

So I go pick up my friend John, his car.. Go to see what's up with it. With her story, it didn't tell a whole lot lol.. When we got there, it did start, ran just fine. So, he shuts it off, checks the Dist. (has had a problem with a screw backing out from time to time) that was ok. He starts pulling the spark plug wires out. The 2nd to the left was full of oil. But, that isn't anything new, happens all the time. All the oil drained down. Cleaned everything up, put new plugs in. Went to start it up, wouldn't happen. Just turns over. At that point, when you would be turning it over, it would make a type of noise, sort of like the timming was off. I've heard that sound from other cars that wouldn't start, so that is the best way I can explain it. Had to run to his doctors appt.. It sat there for around 3 hours before we finally got back.

By this time, that "off timming sound" wasn't happening anymore. Still just turned over, but wouldn't start. Not every time, but only 1 out of 3 times trying to start it this time would it making a clicking noise. Just plain *** weird. Now that I've explained the tough part...
It's getting everything it needs to start, just won't. So, I guess my question would be... What do we try next? He really needs to get this thing going asap. Theres not much money to throw at it, so just trying this or that isn't going to happen. So, if you have an idea of what it might be, please give us your best way of checking for that.

For anyone that can help, that'd be geat!! THANK YOU! Don't know where else to turn from this point.
Thanks, Joah

P.S. If there is any other info you need or that I missed, I'll get it right up.

 

Does the Check Engine Light (CEL) stay On or BLINK rather than turn OFF after a few seconds when the ignition switch is turn to the ON position? If the CEL is ON or Blinking, you may be able to retrieve the CEL trouble code by following the directions in the picture for a '90 Civic. (I am hoping the procedure for a '91 Civic is similar.)

If the car has not thrown a CEL code, then you should look into the possibility that the car has a clogged fuel filter or a faulty fuel pump or main relay. Regarding the latter, check that fuses controlling the main relay in the under-hood and under-dash fuse/relay boxes are not blown.

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/A26FC33BE1E444B99FA5C44C5D7D7AEB.jpg[/IMG]

 

I figured I had missed something... The CEL does not stay on. He did check the fuses under the hood, forgot about checking the ones under the dash. There was quite a bit going on that night, Wedsday. Had to pull it over to his girlfriends moms house. Sadly, it was the closest place.. What a place to have your car broke down at..lolol... So, he will be going over there tomorrow to check out the fuses and whatever else he thinks of.
He is worried it will end up being the Dist., which is a $300 part he can't afford. Does it sound like that could be the problem? Thanks, Joah

 

Are you getting spark at each of the plugs?

 

Yeah, Spark at each plug.