Three months back we replaced a timing belt. Last week it was real cold outside and it wouldnt start. It acts like the timing is off, but we checked timing marks on the belt today and everything lines up the way it should. The distributor pointed to #1, and we put a timing light on it and it cranks and was right on the mark. Loosened fuel fitting and turned the key on and it sprayed, so we are getting fuel. When its cranking, it hits like it wants to fire and its about outrunning the starter but it just wont start. Installed new spark plugs today as well, just in the case that was the problem. On the new plugs, the spark was blue with a little bit of orange. The valve cover was off and the cam is working good. All the rocker arms were moving correctly. The car is so close to starting but it just wont do it. Timing was the initial concern but everything seems to be in order. The Accord just turned over 200,000 miles. Any ideas on what could be going on with this?

 

Only one experience with cold no start (Winnemucca, Nevada & extreme cold weather, and this solved by starter fluid into carb) -
really no expansive knowledge on why real cold should inhibit your start, but
could take out the plugs and squirt starter fluid into each cylinder before re-installing plugs.

If fires, that means it's final fuel delivery problem.
Maybe then add some gas line de-icer (yeah like we need more alcohol) and wait for warm weather (heated garage?) to melt any frozen water.

Yeah, you've done a good test... Luck. Wait for someone else's reply.

 

The work I did on it today was in a heated garage, and by the end of the five or so hours troubleshooting it would have had time to thaw out. Sprayed starter fluid into the intake hose with the throttle body held open and there was no response. Some HEET couldn't hurt I suppose, thanks for your input, I definitly hope someone can help out with this.

 

No response with starting fluid suggests it's the spark. Scratching my head, are you sure you have the plug wires on the proper firing order?

 

Check spark again w/ timing light. If you still getting flashes (check all 4) on timing light, spark is likely good, but could be weak. We had one case long time back of Accord w/ weak spark but would drive the timing light.

If spark checks good, suggest a compression check to see if there's anything wrong.

good luck

 

Got back at it, and it ended up being build up inside the fuel relay switch. Cleaned it out with a brush and put a little grease inside, plugged it back in, and it fired right up.