My car will not start when the engine is hot........H...E...L...P!!!!!

[jaabickford]

Hey. Like the title says my 98 civic will not start when the engine is hot. It starts perfectly when the engine is cold. When the engine is at normal operating temp the starter cranks like normal but the engine will not catch. If i give it a little gas while cranking it the engine will start until i take my foot off the gas then it shuts down. after i leave the car for about and hour it will start. I have new plugs, wires, alternator, fuel filter, air filter and my last oil change was three weeks ago. the battery holds a good 12.6v, I had the timing fixed in june. I jumped the fuel pump relay and there is good pressure up to the fuel filter. any direction from you guys would be great....thanks JASON

[cmlamb2vx]

I believe your problem is probably the main relay which is under the dash on the driver's side. This controls the fuel pump among other things. Apparently the soldering on these parts weakens with age (heating/cooling cycles) and usually only causes the non-start problem when hot. Mine did the same thing last year and after researching the problem on the web, decided that it was the main relay. Have not had any problems since replacing. Do a google search for 'Honda main relay bad' and you'll find all kinds of info.

[superbluecivicsi]

check cap, rotor, coil, and spark plug gap.