Don't know what to do...
 

I'm working on my 98 civic ex after my wife was driving and it died on the freeway. I got an error code the the cranshaft positioning sensor, so I replaced it along with the timing belt, and a few other things while I was at it (brake pads, driver's axle).
My problem is that I can't get the car to start... I've checked the timing, and made sure that its not at 180, I checked the compression & all the cylinders are getting between 90-110psi, which I know is low, but at least they're consistent.
What could be some causes of low compression? I replaced the head gasket maybe 8 months ago & made sure that the torque was correct, so that shouldn't be an issue. The car has around 185xxx miles on it. Routine maintenance hadn't been done at all before I bought the car, so I feel like at this point it could be anything. But the only error codes I'm getting (if I could get it to start) is for an O2 sensor slow responding (I think I have an exhaust leak).
I just don't know where to go from here. I need a direction to head in. If anyone can give me some suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

Out of time
Flooded
Ring leakage
Tight valves or valve leakage
Valves not opening
Slow cranking RPM
Gauge problem
Less than optimum test methods (covers many things)

and more
Got spark?

What was the code.......
I'm pretty sure the sensor by the crank pulley isn't needed to run the engine, it is only used for misfire detection.
Didn't we just go through much of this?

Did you get it to crank yet?

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

Am I just a confused old man?

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

I performed the compression test properly according to multiple web based searches... When I pulled the spark plugs they looked pretty charred, so I replaced them. I haven't gotten a chance to check for spark yet, but I have a feeling the timing is just off a bit. I don't have anyone who can crank the engine while I'm messing with the distributor, so it'll be a few days before I can figure that out. Hopefully I can rule out spark tomorrow though.
The cylinders seem to be getting fuel, and the compression isn't too horrible, so I guess it has to be either spark or timing.

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

Compression is horrible. I expect nearly double the readings you posted when all is well.

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

I know compression is bad, but it should still be enough to ignite... Anyway, I checked for spark today and got nothing... Any thoughts on what to check next?

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

I assume then that you're suggesting the coil or coils is/are bad... I checked for spark using each if my four coils, so though it still is a possibility that they could all be bad, that would lead me to believe that this is not the most likely of situations. Regardless, I'll still check them. Either way, that other thread has Simeon pretty good 'go to' tips after I rule out the ignition coils.

I'm a bartender, and Sacramento beer week starts tomorrow, so I may be a but infrequent over the next few days... Please bear with me. And thank you for all of your help. I'm a fairly quick learner, but it makes it a lot harder not having anywhere to turn to for questions. I appreciate the help.

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

You have a 98 Civic, no? You do not have 4 coils. There is only one, and it is inside the distributor.

I have a feeling you were talking about 4 spark plugs.

Continue testing and keep us posted.

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

You're right... I was checking the spark plug wires. I'll let you know what happens.

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

The cap & rotor were bad... Apparently they both pretty much exploded, along with the CFS going bad. Now I'm having electrical issues. ...the battery died off so I got a new one (the old one was done for), and now the new one isn't staying charged... So I'm goin to take the alternator out tomorrow (or should I say today) and have auto zone check it. Hopefully that's all it needs. I still have to shoot it with a timing light... It kinda lurches back a few times for the first 20 seconds or so when you haven't given it time to warm up all the way.

Thoughts on any of this?

Re: Don't know what to do...
 

Is the alternator not charging it properly?

or is something in the car staying on and killing the battery?
If you find the timing incorrect, you need to think about it at least 3 times before you move the distributor. Once timing is set, it should never change over the life of the engine (unless someone moves the dist).