1990 accord EX not starting on slope

Just recently my super reliable 1990 honda accord EX automatic started
having a problem starting.

We've live and park in a hilly area for 3 years without any problems
with the car.

Recently the car wouldn't start - here are the conditions :

gas almost on empty
we drive it about once a week
it was parked pointing down a hill
it had rained a lot over the last few weeks, temperature ranging from
40's night - 60s in day
the car has 160k miles

At first glance it seems obvious that dah its low on gas ! BUT ... the
above conditions have never stopped it from starting in the past,
including the parking on hill with low gas level. Its often been really
low on gas but started fine even after being parked on a slope pointing
downhill for weeks. The only difference perhaps is the recent heavy
rains.

I dumped 2 gallons into the tank and it started immediately. This has
happened twice, both times it spluttered to a start, ran for a few
seconds and then conked. Dumped more gas in and it was fine.

Any ideas what might be causing this new problem ? Is the gas pump on
its way out ? Is there possibly water in the gas tank (which I
understand might be sinking to the bottom) ? Could it be something
simple like a gas filter (which I've never replaced in 5 years) or some
other filter ? Anyone experienced similar problems ? Any help would be
great!

thanks for any help

 

---------------

One tip: Fuel filter will show up when you try to CLIMB the hill (or
passing at speed), not when facing DOWN the hill. You should probably
think about changing it anyway.

'Curly'

 

Well I am glad I am not the onlyone, My 1990 accord will conk out or idle
down very low when I stop quick or slow down on a hill, just like yours
its only when the fuel is below half tank as soon as I fill it it won't
happen until it gets below half tank, I believe we have the same problem,
however I have posted before and not got any intelligent or non-obvious
answeres, filters plugs cap rotor all the tune up crap is new, so its got
to be either something in the tank or some sensor, let me know ASAP if you
get answere, I will pay if someone could tell me how to fix this problem,
Good luck, Just curious does your car idle jump from 1200 or so rpm to
1800 up and down when its cold?

 

Your problem could be related, although my problem occurs when I go to
start it , rather than when I come to a stop whilst driving it. Someone
suggested it could be the gauge has started malfunctioning , reading
higher than it actually should. I do have something similar t o your
problem in fact (unrelated to my original question) and thats after
starting it and driving it for about 5 minutes it I then switch it off,
it won't always start without waiting a few minutes- but its a
different problem thats not a biggee. your idling issue of revving up
and down in the cold sounds like its not a fuel isssue, but rather a
vaccuum related issue. but I guess you've heard that already.

 

---------------------------

Eatmore, that's your Main Relay.

Maybe we should rename it the "Come out of 7-Eleven" problem. You drive
to the store, get fuel or a chocolate bar, get in the Honda and it will
SPIN, but not start. Cooling down the interior will fix it, or just turn
the key to position II and smack the dash with your fist. You'll hear
the fuel pump run for two seconds, and it will start if you try the key.
The MAIN RELAY needs to be replaced or resoldered. google.com will find
you LOTS of good web pages that explain the how / why.

'Curly'

 

if i had a 15 year old car, id do the following, if it hasnt been done
in the past 5 years. OEM parts only.

fuel filter
air filter
plugs
wires
cap
rotor

theres gotta be a way to test the fuel pump pressure when the filter is
out. that would take care of that. but the other stuff should be done
anyway.

 

Thanks - all except fuel filter have been done this year. Might it be
the fuel filter ? What are typical symptoms of fuel filter problems ?

 

----------------------

Plugged fuel filter behaves like the 'rev limiter' mentioned in your
owner's manual. Fuel filter problems only show up when there's a demand
for a high VOLUME of fuel, like when you're trying to pass a truck while
climbing a hill at 100 Km/hr, or trying to maintain highway speed with a
strong headwind. Starting a car takes very little fuel. If it did, the
environmentalists wouldn't be suggesting we should shut off the car
rather than idle it for a minute. So if your car won't start, try
listening for the fuel pump running for the two seconds while you do the
'lamp check' (some find it's a good time to check the lamps too). If
the fuel pump doesn't run, leave the key in position II and smack the
dash. If the pump runs for two seconds the car will now start. Resolder
/ replace the main relay and you're fixed.

Was the interior of the car warmer than usual (sitting in the sunlight)
when you were trying to start it?

'Curly'

 

Dented gas tank disturbing gas float?

By coincident, when you came back from the gas station with a jug
of gas, moisture that collected on the ignition components had dried up.
If this is not the case then the fuel pump needs priming when it gets
old. A little more gas help increases pressure and the pump
runs at it's maximum pressure. After you'd ruled out a bad
guage or sender, that is.

 

Let's take one scenario. The float is stuck. When the vehicle
parks pointing downhill the fuel level decrease near the pump's
suction but the car still runs. As the float rises overnight more
and more fuel decreases near the pump's suction. As more gas
is added the car starts.