Rep Power: 0

Hello everyone, I have a strange problem and I thought I'd ask you all before I call Honda directly with some diagnostic tips. I work for Acura btw so I have access to service bulletins and the HIDS program.

2001 Civic LX Coupe
The car stalled on the highway, threw sparks out the exhaust while pulling over and getting on the gas trying to keep the revs up.
Pulled over and the cat was glowing red, car cranks now but wont start.
There is no CEL
There is no Immb. key flashing while cranking
There IS a batt. light while cranking
The ECU has been reset
There is no Exhaust Leaks
Fuel Pump is running
Oil is clean and fresh
There is a bit of compression coming out the exhaust while cranking, if normal or weak I am not sure.

I'm thinking it might be the cat being clogged, to much pressure for the exhaust to exit thus not starting. Again, NO CEL present. I do have an SRS but I disabled that manually with the HIDS to save my airbags.
Any suggestions welcome before I start ripping into the block/headers and cat.

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 0

Problem solved all. Pulling plug/coil no.4 revlealed a pool of oil. Assuming this was shorting the rest of the plugs accross the board.
My cat now needs replacement due to running so lean (b/c of spark no.4) and the ECM reports faulted 2nd o2.

FYI all

 
Rep Power: 453

a pool of oil in 1 cylinder will not result in any shorting out of anything, especially other cylinders. that doesnt even make since. now you have other issues if there is a pool of oil in 1 cylinder. either the rings are broken, or your intake valve seals are leaking or the guides are worn.

But if the cat is glowing red then it is clogged. that is why the car wouldnt start. not because 1 cylinder is dead. your car will start with a misfire in 1 cylinder. it will run rough, but will start.

 
Rep Power: 0

As for the oil in cylinder #1 check the valve cover gaskets around the spark plug tubes and replace the cat.

 
Rep Power: 812

could just be a broken valve cover gasket but this isnt the main problem anyway