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Hey guys, so let this be known.. im normally a truck guy but got this civic due to increasing fuel prices and i love it but im at a loss here and need some help. I have a 2002 honda civic dx (1.7L 4 door). My manifold was cracked and beyond repair, so I bought a stainless steel header by DNA motoring ($66 shipped to me door). I watched 100 videos of people installing these and having no issues. I removed the old manifold, installed the new header. I screwed in my 2 O2 sensors. I go to start the car up, it turns over fine and attempts to fire, but doesn't and just keeps turning over. It ran perfect before the header was put on.

I have fuel, spark and compression. I tried using spark plug defowlers drilled out to allow for the O2 sensor to go in to reduce how far the sensor was going into the header, and it still wont start. WTF am i doing wrong and why wont this bastard start! lol I checked the grounds and even cleaned up and replaced some, still nothing.

I should mention, I did some exhaust welding that day as well (exhaust hanger) but the ground was 4 inches or so from where i was welding, and I also had to weld a bigger nut on to a manifold studd to remove it, but again, the ground was 2 inches beside it on another manifold stud. I have welded on a bunch of cars and trucks and never had an issue. The computer is also not showing any fault codes when i scan it and no fuses are blown. Even cleaned up the battery connections (battery is charged fully).

someone must have ran into this problem i just really need this issue fixed as i just replaced all front end parts and re did the brakes so im eager to get this on the road again.

Thank you,
John

 
Rep Power: 222

Removed your phone number as per the forum rules. Whereabouts in Canada are you?

Depending on how long you were cranking you may have flooded it now, are the plugs now soaked with gas? Dry them off if they are

If you hold the gas pedal all the way down while cranking the car that will disable the injectors and help clear out the combustion chambers

 
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Tried and also checked that

 
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Is your Cat Converter clogged?

 
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Its a header that i put on, so there is no catalytic converter anymore...

 
Rep Power: 222

so were they soaked in gas?
the excess gas may have washed down the cylinder wall and you may have lost compression, can add a tablespoon or two of oil to each cylinder to help restore compression.

each coil had good spark?

 
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Spark plugs are dry

 
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Nothing exhaust related other than a clog should prevent startup.

Even if the O2 sensors were fired it should start and give a code.

You have no codes, but you are sure you have communication with the ecu right?

....

My guess is either the battery is dead, just dummy check it with a jump, even if it sounds like it should start. I've had two instances were I thought the car sounded like it should start, but needed a jump.

Or

If you were welding the exhaust while it was hanging on the car the voltage/amperage shouldn't go anywhere other than the path of least resistance, which would be directly at the weld site. But the heat might have melted something.

Also if you disconnected the ground from head to radiator support, or painted it, it wont start.

 
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I even replaced that ground right from honda. Its driving me crazy feel like ive tried it all

....

 
Rep Power: 222

Then you're not getting fuel into the cylinder

 
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I've confirmed its getting fuel. Changed the spark plugs as well (they were bad) started for a few seconds then quit again.

 
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Issue resolved, turns out champion brand spark plugs don't work in hondas. Not sure if that's common knowledge but wasn't for me. NGK for the win runs like a dream. Thanks for the help guys!

 
Rep Power: 222

Sorry should have asked what brand of plugs you put in, glad you got it running!