Q: 96 Civic only starts with starter fluid
96 Civic stored for many years. It'll start with the starter fluids until they run out. Should I change the fuel filter first?
Recommended Services
| Car is hard to start Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
| Fuel Filter Replacement | $98.50 - $325.56 | Get a Quote |
Yes, if it sat for many years, change the fuel filter. I would also drain the gas tank and put new fuel in it because, if it sat for many years, it’s all going to be clogged up. Hope that the fuel injector is not clogged up, too. For that, you might put some good fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank when you put new gas in. Then, when you get it running, maybe that cleaner would be able to clean the varnish out, because varnish will build up on the fuel injectors. It can get pretty clogged up and need to be cleaned out. I see that a lot when they sit for years. If you would like to have your starting system diagnosed, a technician from YourMechanic can inspect your car and replace your fuel filter if needed.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
1996 Chevrolet Corvette cranks but won't start
There are a few possible causes for your concern. Your engine needs several things in order to run properly: Fuel from the fuel tank, spark from the ignition system to ignite the fuel, and pressure in the cylinders generated by...
Jeep door will not open
If the door is not opening, then either the linkage has become disconnected or there is an issue with the door latch itself. The door panel will need to be removed so the linkage can be inspected. The latch may...
how do you know if a car is vapor locked and how do you fix it?
It is very unlikely that a fuel injected engine is vapor locked (even at 108 degrees). From experience, an electrical component failed based upon heat and mileage of the vehicle. A code scanner will likely lead you to the issue....
Advice what to check or replace.
Hello. The code P0370 is an indicator that your vehicle's timing reference optical sensor is having an issue. This signal that this sensor provides for the computer is very important to the overall engine performance of the vehicle, especially at...
Headlight leveling system on
The vehicle uses the headlight leveling system to make sure the vehicle's headlights shine as far and as safely as possible. When a fault occurs, you will see the check headlight light. A few different faults can cause this, such...
How to fix jammed safety belt.
You may have to remove the rear seat to get to the retractor for the seat belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-do-seat-belts-work). The only suggestion is to try and pull it out very slowly. If it has a bad locked retractor the retractor would...
I changed spark plugs and wires & cleaned throttle body, car idles rough and gas mileage is changed does not backfire or anything
A few different components could be causing your issue. Your symptoms sound at first like a spark issue. If a plug was tightened down too hard, the gap can become smaller than intended. This would decrease the power of the...
When i start my 95 monte 6carlo at 15F it revs at just over 2k, its climb and has made it up to 3.1 before i put it in gear help?
Hello. Thank you for writing in. All vehicles need a higher RPM when cold. The engine needs more fuel and advanced spark timing. The computer monitors all of this with various sesnors. Due to yours being higher than usual, you...
All of a sudden the clutch pedal has no resistance and I am unable to put it in any gear while running the engine. 1999 Dodge Dakota
Hello - as you suspect, the clutch hydraulics (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/how-does-a-hydraulic-clutch-system-work) have likely failed. Check for low clutch fluid (may share a reservoir with the brake master cylinder). If the fluid is low, check for brake fluid at the clutch slave cylinder...
Related articles
2012 Honda Accord vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which One Should I Buy?
The Honda Civic was the best-selling compact car as well as the third-best-selling car overall in 2012. With its unique blend of reliability, affordability and refinement, the Civic is a gold standard for transportation in general. While the Accord is...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Differential Output Seal
Common signs include whining sounds and oil leaks coming from the differential.
Should I Buy a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry?
The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have been the best-selling cars for 20 years due to their quality and reliability. Find out which is best for you.
Browse other content
Maintenance
Cities