hard to start when hot

[nicholas]

hey everyone,
i have a 00 civic EX, the cars starts fime, in the winter and cool summer mornings, but it has become harder to start when it is very hot out...
i have changed my plugs/wires, and cleaned the inside of my destributor,
when it's hot, it feels like the engine is bogging down for the first few seconds, sometimes i have to crank the engine twice....

just wondering if there is anything , i should check into ????,
thanks
nik

 

[MAJA]

Does it crank at the same relative crank speed when hot and cold, just needing more cranking time to start when hot? Or does it crank at a slower cranking speed when hot? If it cranks slower, it could be the clearances inside the starter are much less when hot, due to heat absorbtion, causing the starter to drag a little. (Older Chevys with the 350 V-8 had a slight problem with this, especially with headers.)The condition of the battery also may be an issue here.

 

[Eddie]

Check your battery, battery connections and grounds. Some time a moister film builds up at connections and needs seconds to be heated by drawing current to get a good connection. I've had it happen.

 

[benjamming]

It sounds like the main fuel relay, but your car shouldn't be old enough for that to be the problem. That's a typical problem for the Accords in the 90-96 year range.

 

[darryld13]

quote:

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Originally posted by benjamming:
It sounds like the main fuel relay, but your car shouldn't be old enough for that to be the problem. That's a typical problem for the Accords in the 90-96 year range.

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I just went through the same symptoms on a no start '90 Accord that experienced some tough starts on hot days before. The heat issue led me to incorrectly come to the conclusion that the main relay was the culprit. Turns out that the coil had an iffy connection with high resistance on some areas where the wires made contact. My fault for not taking the screws off and testing under the leads. New coil, new distributor cap and wires and voila!

If you can hear the fuel pump whir for 2 seconds after the key hits the ON position and the check engine light goes off after a couple of seconds, then the main relay is okay. If you had to wipe carbon track out of the distributer cap, you probably need a new one. Don't forget to check the condition of the battery, fuel lines, injectors and their seals - hot weather can make fuel delivery an issue.

 

[digitaldrifter91]

on the 90 accords to 93 acords that is common.

what we are supposed to listen for is the fuel pump when u put the key in and put it in the ACC posistion....and then u should hear a click when the check engine light goes off.

if it does not do that then the main relay is bad

though the civic i havent heard that its common to have a problem with the main relay it can be the cause and diagnosing like i said can help

though i remember there was a recall on some civics around ur year that actually enabled the car to not start at all

www.clubcivic.com might have more insight or research for you.