I have a 1987 Honda Civic, 89k miles. It was running great up until about a year ago. It began to not start up right away. Had the carburator replaced with a rebuilt one in January. The problem with starting the car has continued and worsened. Now I never know if it's going to start or not. When I turn the ignition, there is a sound--but it takes 6-12 tries for the car to start. The battery was replaced about a year ago; spark plugs replaced both in January and a month ago (snaffu in communication). I am not mechanical, but would really appreciate some ideas about what the problem could be.

What error codes are you getting? When did you replace the fuel filter? Did you ever use any fuel system cleaner?

I don't know how to find any error codes. I have idiot lights on the dash... is there something somewhere else? I'm not sure about the fuel filter... will check on that today. (religious oil changes every 3 months for the past 14-15 years) I've been reading other threads and other places on the web and see snippets about "starter fluid" being an issue... what do you think??

Have not tried a fuel cleaner... also will check into that today. (thanx)

Read the FAQ to find out how to check error codes (I believe it's the same on 3rd and 4th generation civics).

CroCivic91, just read your FAQ on "My Honda Civic Won't Start"--thanks for the valuable info! I'm very hopeful about checking these things out. Yesterday, I did the fuel system cleaner, sprayed some starter fluid and found out where the (secondary) fuel filter is. Seemed to run a tiny bit better. Still trouble starting this morning, but perhaps slightly better. I'm going to look for those diagnostic lights on the passenger side during the next couple of days. Cheers.

Sorry to hear that you are having an issue with your civic. First off let me let you know that I understand exactly what you are going through. Next. The models 85-87 that the other poster was trying to get you to look for the "codes" exist on ONLY the Si models, which you have already stated that you don't have. You have a DX model. Honda was very wise to make both carb'd and fuel injected models those years. They are the transition years for honda.

Now to your problem. You may have a variety of issues with the car. One plain and simply might be a vacuum leak within the dozens of hoses that are there. That would be my initial summation of the problem you are having.

Did you check the filter by the tank? There are 2 on your car, one in front of the carburator and one right in front of the drivers side rear wheel well under a plastic cover.

Yeah, I was pretty sure that my car had no ECU codes to decode, but haven't been able to get under the passenger carpet yet. I am (recently) aware of both filters--main (under the gas tank) and secondary (under the air filter). I don't know how to "check" if either of them need replacing. Is there an easy way to check that? One point of good news is that with the fuel cleaner (put in the gas tank) and the use of some start up fluid, it is starting more easily and running more smoothly. I found a useful startup hint for anyone else with this model car (I either read it on another forum or in my manual)--to start the car, do not pump the pedal; depress the pedal half way, turn the key and release the pedal. I'm having much better luck with this method of startup. However, the problem of dying after startup remains. It has to be "warmed up."

How does one check for a vacuum leak? Is that something a novice could do??

Thanks for input, Badpenny.