Hello. This is my first post here.

Here's how the issue started. My brother went out on a little drive with the car, and ran it out of gas. No big deal, he was about 200 yards from the house so we just pulled it home. Went and got gas then tried to start it. When we went to start it, it wouldn't start and it sounds sort of like its choking. We dont know what it is and don't want to spend a lot of money to have a mechanic look at it. If you know what it is, just let me know please.

Here is a link to youtube where you can hear what it sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7xIbdQW5y4

Any help works!!!!

Thanks!

 

My 1994 civic ex is doing like the same thing.. idk why, but I think it ran out of gas to and is doing this.

 

First I wonder if it really ran out of gas, or if something else broke and because the tank was nearly empty to begin with, you assumed it was out of gas.

Second, how much gas did you put in? If it really was out of gas, it may take more than a gallon or two to get it primed again.

If you're sure there's plenty of fresh gas now, forget the running out of gas part and go through all the standard "cranks but won't start" checks.

 

Also check whether the timing belt slipped or snapped.

 

Well, it ran out of gas for sure and we put 5 gallons back in it. How can I tell if the timing belt slipped? There is no belts missing. I don't know the placement of any of these parts either. I just bought this car for milage. If you can tell me how to check the timing belt and where it's located, then that could be checked. Thanks

 

First check for fuel and spark. (1) Listen for the low humming sound of the fuel pump priming for 2 seconds when the key is turned to ON(II). (2) Click spark link in my signature.

 

I can hear the pump. I don't live close to a town that sells spark plugs. What if I was just to put all new spark plugs in?

 

Well. First I Want to check the timing belt to see if it slipped. How do I do that?

 

New spark plugs will not help. Very unlikely they all went bad at once.

First take the oil cap off and look at the rocker arms inside. They should move when you crank the engine. If they don't, timing belt is bad for sure.

Checking if the belt has slipped rather than failed entirely, requires removing the top half of the plastic cover on the end of the engine. Then search here for timing belt for more detailed instructions on how to check it.

 

As mk says, the lack of spark is almost never due to bad spark plugs. You can also test for spark by removing a plug and inserting it into the end of the plug wire. Then conduct the test as detailed in my DIY spark test.